APOD: 2026 September 13 – Comet NEOWISE Rising over the Adriatic Sea
APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 September 13 –… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss APOD 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. To view this […]
On September 13, 2026, the Astronomy Picture of the Day presented a breathtaking image of Comet NEOWISE rising over the Adriatic Sea. The photograph was captured just over four years after the comet's initial dazzling appearance in 2020, earning it the nickname "Great Comet of 2020." The photographer managed to witness the celestial event early in the morning, before sunrise, by rising from bed to capture the spectacular sight.
The resulting time-lapse video showcases the comet's ascent through a foreground of vibrant noctilucent clouds, ultimately revealing the comet's path against a backdrop of distant stars. Notably, the comet retained its brilliance for an extended period, with its ion and dust tails emanating from a nucleus measuring approximately five kilometers in diameter.
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- APOD: 2026 September 13 – Comet NEOWISE Rising over the Adriatic Sea science.nasa.gov
