Green comet caught soaring over Namibia | Space photo of the day for Aug. 12, 2026
A shot so spectacular it will leave other astrophotographers green with envy.
On August 8, 2026, astrophotographers Gerald Rhemann and Michael Jäger captured an incredible image of Comet 220P/McNaught soaring over Namibia. This bright green comet, discovered by Australian astronomer Robert H. McNaught, orbits our sun every 5.5 years. In June, Comet 220P/McNaught reached perihelion, its closest point to the sun, and experienced a significant outburst that increased its brightness by 8,000 times.
The comet's brightness returned to approximately 600 times its normal level this August, providing the perfect opportunity for Rhemann and Jäger to photograph the comet. They utilized a 12-inch Astrograph telescope equipped with a ZWO ASI 6200 MM Pro camera to capture the comet streaking across the night sky. The photograph showcases the comet's stunning clarity and detail, making it a truly remarkable sight.
Though witnessing a comet like this is rare, the remnants of the comet's tail can sometimes be seen as shooting stars during meteor showers. Currently, the Perseids meteor shower is underway, allowing skywatchers to observe up to 100 shooting stars under dark skies.
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