Scientists using Webb plan to observe a “target-of-opportunity” comet, one that is not yet known but is expected to be discovered in the first year of the telescope’s mission. If they are lucky, perhaps they might capture an interstellar comet, or perhaps they will train Webb on a comet similar to Hale–Bopp, shown above in a ground-based photo shortly after passing perihelion in April 1997. Comet Hale–Bopp, thought to be from the Oort Cloud, was one of the brightest comets seen for many decades. Visible to the naked eye for a record 18 months, it could be seen even from major cities with light-polluted skies.
Image is available under Creative Commons CC-by-SA 3.0. E. Kolmhofer, H. Raab; Johannes-Kepler-Observatory, Linz, Austria.
Credits
Image
Erich Kolmhofer (Johannes-Kepler Observatory), Herbert Raab (Johannes-Kepler Observatory)
| About The Object | |
|---|---|
| Object Name | Comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) |
| Object Description | Comet |
| About The Data | |
| Data Description | Ground-based photograph |
| About The Object | |
|---|---|
| Object Name | A name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object. |
| Object Description | The type of astronomical object. |
| R.A. Position | Right ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position. |
| Dec. Position | Declination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position. |
| Constellation | One of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears. |
| Distance | The physical distance from Earth to the astronomical object. Distances within our solar system are usually measured in Astronomical Units (AU). Distances between stars are usually measured in light-years. Interstellar distances can also be measured in parsecs. |
| Dimensions | The physical size of the object or the apparent angle it subtends on the sky. |
| About The Data | |
| Data Description |
|
| Instrument | The science instrument used to produce the data. |
| Exposure Dates | The date(s) that the telescope made its observations and the total exposure time. |
| Filters | The camera filters that were used in the science observations. |
| About The Image | |
| Image Credit | The primary individuals and institutions responsible for the content. |
| Publication Date | The date and time the release content became public. |
| Color Info | A brief description of the methods used to convert telescope data into the color image being presented. |
| Orientation | The rotation of the image on the sky with respect to the north pole of the celestial sphere. |
