A small space telescope launched by a Chinese space assets firm captured an epic shot of the brightest comet of the 12 months on the backdrop of an aurora and passing meteors.
Yangwang 1, a small satellite belonging to Chinese space assets firm Origin Space, took the picture whereas Comet Leonard was making its closest method to Earth on Dec. 12. The comet, which is able to make its closest move on the sun on Jan. 3, will then disappear for 80,000 years.
If you are trying to catch a glance, test our information for the best telescopes and binoculars guide for Comet Leonard. Our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography guides have recommendations on gear you may must snap pictures, as nicely.
Related: Comet Leonard will light up the sky this month — here’s how to see it
The colorized picture exhibits the comet, formally named C/2021 A1, with its prolonged tail, but additionally captures space phenomena together with a meteor, seen streaking beneath the comet, the shorter trails of two satellites, airglow, and aurora.
The Yangwang-1 space telescope, launched earlier this 12 months, observes the universe round our planet in seen and ultraviolet mild in seek for near-Earth asteroids that would probably be mined for assets. The satellite, China’s first industrial astronomical space mission, is accessible additionally to non-commercial customers for skilled analysis and public outreach functions, in keeping with Origin Space.
In orbit since June 2021, the satellite has already compiled a powerful gallery of auroral pictures and meteor streaks. In August 2021, the mission captured a stunning aurora australis above the southern Pacific Ocean, which is in any other case tough to entry for human observers.
Yangwang-1 is step one in Origin Space’s formidable plans to seize a small asteroid in 2025.
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