Comet and Mars, composite image
Composite image of comet C/2022 E3 ZTF (blue-green, centre) and Mars (orange, centre) amongst the constellation Taurus. The Pleiades, a star cluster forming part of Taurus, is visible (bright blue, right) as is the nebula IC 405 (red, comma-shaped, top left) and just below and to the left of that, star cluster NGC 1893 (red circle). Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF is approximately 1 km in diameter, and is predicted to have taken 50,000 years to orbit the Sun. Its close approach to the inner solar system will alter its orbit and could mean that it will permanently leave the solar system. Photographed on 11 February 2023 from the Soneva Jani island observatory, Maldives., by PETR HORALEK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
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