Found this picture on the SOHO site today.....



It looks like there are streaks coming from the bright object and going in two different directions. Also, the bright object doesn't appear in the photo before or after this one. Anyone out there with real knowledge about what could possibly cause this on a photo from the SOHO satellite?

Could be a heat spot on one of the cameras pixels. Does get them sometimes

There's a number of things that can cause that. I don't know that we've got any astronomers here, but you can ask at www.badastronomy.com 's forums and there ARE professional astronomers there and you will have an answer in a few hours.

Originally posted by Makuahine
It looks like there are streaks coming from the bright object and going in two different directions. Also, the bright object doesn't appear in the photo before or after this one. Anyone out there with real knowledge about what could possibly cause this on a photo from the SOHO satellite?

Hi, Mak:

To me, it looks like it could be a comet. Comets always have their tails pointed away from the sun when they are close. I guess that I'd better go check SOHO. I usually check it later in the afternoon.

Tiza

Originally posted by Makuahine
It looks like there are streaks coming from the bright object and going in two different directions. Also, the bright object doesn't appear in the photo before or after this one. Anyone out there with real knowledge about what could possibly cause this on a photo from the SOHO satellite?

Mak:
Can you link us to this image at SOHO, please. I have gone there and cannot find this picture. I notice it's 19:42. There isn't a 19:42 unless I'm looking at the wrong thing.

Thanks,
Tiza