APOD 2.8

Little Planet Lovejoy (January 11, 2012)

This photo is a compilation of 12 frames and was constructed as a spherical panorama using Earth as the base for the circle.  The planet in the center is not the comet.  The comet is actually the faint band of light that hits earth diagonally on the top left side of the circle.  The concept of how the picture came to be and what it is exactly is a little confusing.  The APOD website does not give much information on the matter, but it makes for an intriguing picture.
Also in the picture is the Southern Cross in the top left corner of the frame, and Orion directly to the right of Earth's equator.