Well, not exactly, but I couldn’t pass up the use of a (bad) pun.
In December 2013, if predictions hold true, we should get a spectacular view of comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) .
ISON was discovered by Russian astromomers Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok on 21 September 2012 using the 0.4-metre reflector of the International Scientific Optical Network near Kislovodsk, Russia.
Follow-up observations were made on 22 September by a team from Remanzacco Observatory in Italy using the iTelescope network.
Animation showing ISON’s movement (the small alternating dot in the centre of the screen)
source: http://remanzacco.blogspot.it
Preliminary analysis of the comet’s orbit shows that it will come to perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) on 28 November 2013 at approimatly 1.1million kilometres above the surface of the Sun, and will pass within 6 million kilometres of the Earth on 26 December 2013.
It should be visible through small telescopes or binoculars from August 2013, becoming visible to the naked eye by late October or early November and (assuming it survives its close encounter with the Sun) remaining so until mid-January 2014.
The exciting part of these predictions is that at its brightest is may up to magnitude -16. This is amazing considering that a Full Moon is -13, the ISS is -6 and Venus is -5. So possibly brighter than the Moon!
This is many times brighter than the Great Comet of 2007 which peaked at a magnitude of -5.5 (which, sadly, was only visible in the Southern Hemisphere).
Great Comet of 2007
Attribution: Fir0002/Flagstaffotos
We here at Sky-Watching have our fingers crossed that the predictions hold true, as it could mean some spectacular pictures. Keep tuned for further updates as the comet approaches.
