APOD 1.6

The Pacman Nebula (right) and Comet Hartley 2 (left)

The comet Hartley 2, discovered by Malcom Hartley in 1986, is moving toward Earth, and will reach it's closest point to the on on October 28th. The emission nebula, NGC 281, is known as the Pacman Nebula because of it's round body, gaping mouth, and bright star that looks like an eye. The comet is on approach now, passing through the constellation Perseus. A spacecraft is going to pass within 700 kilometers of the comet's nucleus. The spacecraft is called EPOXI, but it was formerly known as Deep Impact.