Comet McNaught Over Chile

Comet McNaught was perhaps the most photogenic comet of our time.
After making quite a show in the northern hemisphere in early
January, the comet moved south and developed a long and unusual
dust tail that dazzled southern hemisphere observers. In this
image, Comet McNaught was captured one year ago above 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, 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. Comet McNaught
has glided into the outer Solar System and is now only visible as
a speck in a large telescope. The other spectacular comet of 2007,
Comet Holmes, has also faded from easy view.