Comet PanSTARRs and the Galaxies

Comet PanSTARRs, C/2017 T2, shared this stunning telescopic field of view with galaxies M81 and M82 on May 22/23. Of course, the galaxies were some 12 million light-years distant and the comet about 14 light-minutes away, seen in planet Earth’s sky toward the Big Dipper. A new visitor from the Oort Cloud, this Comet PanSTARRs was discovered in 2017 by the PanSTARRs survey telescope when the comet was over 1 light-hour from the Sun, almost as distant as the orbit of Saturn. With a beautiful coma and dust tail, this comet has been a solid northern hemisphere performer for telescope wielding comet watchers this May, following its closest approach to the Sun on May 4. In this deep image from dark California skies the outbound comet even seems to develop a short anti-tail as it leaves the inner Solar System. via NASA https://wp.me/p4wJUi-6KM

Dragon over Central Park

Still bathed in sunlight the International Space Station (ISS) arced through this Manhattan evening sky on May 30. Moving left to right, its bright trail was captured in this composite image with a series of 5 second long exposures. Stars left short trails and lights were reflected in still waters looking toward the north across the Central Park reservoir. Chasing the ISS in low Earth orbit the Crew Dragon spacecraft dubbed Endeavour also left a trail through that urban night. Seen about 6 hours after its launch the spacecraft’s faint trail appears above the ISS, shown in the inset just as the two approached the bank of clouds at the right. Dragon Endeavour docked successfully with the ISS about nineteen hours after reaching orbit. via wordpress https://wp.me/p4wJUi-6K9

Wikipedia article of the day for June 7, 2020

Wikipedia article of the day is Wolf. Check it out: https://ift.tt/29CybIq Summary: The wolf (Canis lupus) is a large canine native to Eurasia and North America. It is the largest extant member of Canidae, males averaging 40ย kg (88ย lb) and females 37ย kg (82ย lb). On average, wolves measure 105โ€“160ย cm (41โ€“63ย in) in length and 80โ€“85ย cm (31โ€“33ย in) at shoulder height. Compared to coyotes and jackals, wolves have more pointed ears and muzzles, as well as shorter torsos and longer tails. The fur of a wolf is usually mottled white, brown, gray, and black. Up to 38 subspecies have been recognized, including the domestic dog. Wolves live in nuclear families consisting of a mated pair accompanied by their offspring. Fights over territory are among the principal causes of mortality. The wolf is mainly a carnivore and feeds primarily on large wild hooved mammals, though it also eats smaller animals, livestock, carrion, and garbage. Most recorded wolf attacks on people have been attributed to rabies. They have been both respected and feared in human societies.