Subj : Daily APOD Report
To   : All
From : Alan Ianson
Date : Mon Apr 08 2024 00:52:42

                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2024 April 8
    A sequence of eight images of Comet Pons-Brooks, from top to bottom,
   showing the comet and its changing tail over 9 days. The ion tail looks
   very different in each of the images, sometimes being much more complex
       than other times. Please see the explanation for more detailed
                                information.

                 The Changing Ion Tail of Comet Pons-Brooks
               Image Credit & Copyright: Shengyu Li & Shaining

   Explanation: How does a comet tail change? It depends on the comet. The
   ion tail of Comet 12P/PonsCÇôBrooks has been changing markedly, as
   detailed in the featured image sequenced over nine days from March 6 to
   14 (top to bottom). On some days, the comet's ion tail was relatively
   long and complex, but not every day. Reasons for tail changes include
   the rate of ejection of material from the comet's nucleus, the strength
   and complexity of the passing solar wind, and the rotation rate of the
   comet. Over the course of a week, apparent changes even include a
   change of perspective from the Earth. In general, a comet's ion tail
   will point away from the Sun, as gas expelled is pushed out by the
   Sun's wind. Today, Pons-Brooks may become a rare comet suddenly visible
   in the middle of the day for those able to see the Sun totally eclipsed
   by the Moon.

                 NASA Coverage: Today's Total Solar Eclipse
   Total Eclipse Imagery: Notable Submissions to APOD Tomorrow's picture:
                             yesterday's eclipse
     __________________________________________________________________

       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
                  NASA Web Privacy, Accessibility, Notices;
                      A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC,
                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

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