2.3: Comet Holmes Grows a Tail

This picture is of the Comet Holmes. As the ice of the comet nucleaus evaporates, it expands into a large cloud around the comet. This atmosphere around the comet is called the coma, and Comet Holmes' coma is green. The comet has also now formed a blue ion tail. About two weeks ago, Comet Holmes unexpectidly got much brighter. It can now be seen with the unaided eye.