Template:POTD/2008-03-13

Mira A is a red giant variable star in the constellation Cetus. This ultraviolet-wavelength image mosaic shows a comet-like "tail" stretching 13 light-years across space, which consists of hydrogen gas blown off of the star, with the material at the furthest end of the "tail" having been emitted about 30,000 years ago. Mira itself is seen as a small white dot inside a blue bulb.

Photo credit: Galaxy Evolution Explorer
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