In this picture is shown the Comet Hartley as well as the Pacman Nebula. The comet hartley can be seen on the right side of the picture, a blue-green color, and the pacman nebula can be seen on the left side. The comet Hartley was first viewed in 1968, with a magnitude of about 17. It's magnitude has grown increasingly higher since. It has been confirmed that it has a very small nucleus, with a diameter of only about .9 of a mile wide. Although it may be small, this nucleus spews gas and dust from it's surface. The comet is now closest to the Earth as it has ever been and was viewed on October 1st with a 4.4 magnitude. The comet will be the closest to Earth on October 20, with a distance of .12 astronomical units, where it can be seen South of Capella. The Pacman Nebula received its comical name from its appearance similar to that of a pacman. it is about 10,000 light years away, and has a span of about 80 light years.
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