APOD: 2026 May 15 – R3 PanSTARRS: An Orion Comet
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Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2026 May 15
R3 PanSTARRS: An Orion Comet
Image Credit & Copyright:
Chester Hall-Fernandez
Explanation:
Comet R3 PanSTARRS might be best remembered as an Orion comet.
A key reason is because Comet
C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) was near its most spectacular —
in terms of tail visibility — when passing in front of the
iconic constellation.
Although rare, other bright
comets, too,
have ventured across Orion, including
Lovejoy in 2015,
Hale-Bopp in 1997,
and the Great Comet of 1264.
Best visible in long duration exposures, the
featured image was captured last week from the
Craigieburn Mountain Range
in New Zealand.
Visible in the deep background image are the
Orion Nebula,
Barnard’s Loop, and through R3’s tail, the bright star
Saiph, the sixth brightest
star in the
constellation of Orion.
Comet R3 PanSTARRS
continues to fade as it moves further south,
passing into the constellation of the Unicorn
(Monoceros) in the next few days.
Sky Surprise:
What picture did APOD feature on your birthday? (after 1995)
Tomorrow’s picture: aurora burrito
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Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
NASA Official: Amber Straughn
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