October 6, 1998
In the time it took you to read this, the Earth moved another thousand miles through space. You are not standing still. You never have been.
Comet Williams in 1998
Birthday · October 6, 1998
A little universe, just for you
Your date.
Ready to give.
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APOD published October 6, 1998. Credit: Gordon Garradd. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
The brightest comet in the sky right now is Comet Williams. Moving slowly though the constellation of Centaurus, Comet Williams, at magnitude 8, is visible to Southern Hemisphere observers with binoculars. In ten days, Comet Williams will reach its closest point to the Sun, although it will still be farther from the Sun than the Earth. Comet Williams should become visible to many Northern Hemisphere observers in late November. At magnitude 10, however, it might require a small telescope to see. Comet Williams was discovered in early August by Peter Williams. The above image was taken August 25th from Australia.
Image credit: Gordon Garradd