APOD 3.6

In this picture you can see Comet Lovejoy. Its ion tail stretches across the field of view of the telescope.This picture if from February 20th. The star filled back round is filled with with the bluish star Phi Persei and the planetary nebula of M76. This is also know as the Dumbbell nebula. Comet love joy has a greenish color. Love joy is outbound from the inner part of out solar system. its about 10 light minutes from earth. The Dumbbell nebula is over 3000 light years away. This picture captures the vastness and the beauty of our solar system.