Comet McNaught Over Santiago

Comet McNaught was perhaps the most photogenic comet of our time. After making quite a show in the northern hemisphere in early January 2007, the comet moved south and developed a long and unusual dust tail that dazzled southern hemisphere observers. As seen on Astronomy Picture of the Day in this image, Comet McNaught was captured above Santiago de Chile. The bright comet dominates on the left while part of its magnificent tail spreads across the entire picture. From this vantage point in the Andes Mountains (at altitude of about 4000m), one looks up toward Comet McNaught and a magnificent sky, across at a crescent moon, and down on clouds, atmospheric haze, and the city lights of Santiago.