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A Star with a Comet's Tail
Cool photos at the link.

Mira is one of the best known variable stars. Over the course of a year, it goes from magnitude 3.5 or so (easily visible naked eye) down to magnitude 9 (telescope needed) and back again.

Posted by: Mike 2007-08-17
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=196417