AAPOD2 Image Archives

2025 Charles Lillo 2025 Charles Lillo

Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS)

Discovered by the ATLAS survey in May 2025, Comet C/2025 K1 is one of the most intriguing new visitors to the inner Solar System. Unlike short-period comets bound to the Sun for millennia, K1 follows a long, hyperbolic path suggesting it may be making its first—and possibly only—trip through our neighborhood before heading back into interstellar space. The bright nucleus glows with reflected sunlight while the yellow-tinged dust tail extends millions of kilometers, formed as solar radiation pushes dust away from the comet’s core.

In this image, the comet passes through a star-rich field sprinkled with distant galaxies, including the spiral galaxies visible in the lower half of the frame. The scene highlights how dynamic and interconnected the cosmos is—objects from the cold outer reaches of the Solar System momentarily crossing paths with galaxies billions of light-years away.

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December 2023, 2023 Charles Lillo December 2023, 2023 Charles Lillo

ngc 1333

In the serene realms of the Perseus constellation, NGC 1333 emerges as a stellar masterpiece, a reflection nebula adorned with the cosmic glow of youthful stars. This celestial oasis, situated within the Perseus Molecular Cloud, serves as a stellar nursery, where the interstellar medium births new generations of luminous orbs. Approximately 1,000 light-years from Earth, NGC 1333 captivates with its ethereal hues and intricate structures, crafted by the interplay of starlight and surrounding dust. This cosmic portrait not only illuminates the beauty of NGC 1333 but also invites contemplation of the ongoing celestial ballet, where the cosmic dance of creation unfolds in the heart of the Perseus constellation.

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