Stunning Image Captures Mercury's Giant Comet-Like Tail Near Sun
Astrophotographer Sebastian Voltmer captured a stunning image of Mercury's comet-like tail made predominantly of sodium ions, which are scattered from the planet's surface by solar wind and micro-meteor impacts. Mercury's tail stretches to around 14.9 million miles long and is most visible from Earth exactly 16 days after perihelion, or the point at which the planet is closest to the sun. Mercury is not the only celestial body in the solar system with a surprisingly comet-like tail, as the moon also has a tail that is only visible once a month as Earth passes through it and wears it like a scarf.
