On Christmas Day 2021, Comet Leonard placed on a present in our skies. Although the comet was a pale streak to the bare eye, photographer Gerald Rhemann caught a hanging occasion: the second a part of the comet’s tail disconnected from its physique. The photo voltaic wind swept the comet’s gasoline and mud away. Although I’ve talked concerning the fluid dynamics of comets earlier than, this picture is essentially the most beautiful instance I’ve seen. It’s no marvel that it received the highest prize on the Astronomy Photographer of the Yr competitors. (Picture credit score: G. Rhemann; by way of Colossal; see additionally APOTY)
