This is a vintage lithograph depicting the Great Comet of 1881. The scene is a nighttime view with a large, bright comet dominating the sky. The comet has a distinct, elongated shape with a bright core and a long, trailing tail that stretches diagonally across the upper portion of the image. The tail appears to be composed of multiple streams of light, giving it a textured appearance. Below the comet, an observatory building is silhouetted against the dark sky. The observatory has a distinctive dome-shaped roof and a small window with a warm, inviting glow, suggesting someone is inside observing the comet. The building is surrounded by a line of trees, which are also silhouetted against the sky. The background is a deep, dark blue-green sky filled with numerous small stars. The stars are scattered throughout the sky, adding to the sense of vastness and depth. The overall mood of the image is one of awe and wonder, capturing the beauty and majesty of the comet and the night sky. At the bottom of the image, there is text that reads "THE GREAT COMET of 1881."