Comet Schwasswann-Wachmann and Globular Cluster

May 29, 2006

73p-b-m13-04-05-2006

Provided and copyright by: Tony Cook
Summary authors & editors: Tony Cook

Comet 73P Schwasswann-Wachmann 3 has proved to be a spectacular object for backyard observers as its multiple fragments passed close to Earth -- approximately 0.0735 Astronomical Units on May 13th (1 AU = distance from Earth to the Sun). Fragment B repeatedly brightened before it was observed splitting into multiple parts. This wide-field image of fragment B was taken at 00:00 Universal Time (UT) on the 4th of May as it glided past the globular cluster Messier 13. The 84 minute exposure reveals the extensive greenish coma and whitish dust tail of this cometary fragment.

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