Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Approaching the inner Solar System, comet Hale-Bopp 's icy nucleus is heated by sunlight, accelerating its production of dust and gas. Shrouded in the resulting cloud, known as the coma, the cometary nucleus remains hidden from direct view. Dust jets may arise from vents on the surface of the nucleus.
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