The Astronomy Centre

bob_leach writes "Comet 2012 S1 ISON

Assuming that the predictions made by astronomers in early 2012 remain true, then stargazers will have a good reason to be looking up during the 2013/2014 holiday season. Astronomers have discovered a super bright comet (comet 2012 S1, ISON) which they believe will be visible to the naked eye come late 2013 and early 2014. Despite being a faint glow in the constellation cancer, the comet is expected to outshine the moon.

Comet Ison was discovered by Vitali Nevski, and Artyom Novichonol, both from Russia. The two astronomers made the discovery from images they obtained on the 21st of September. The 16- inch Santel reflector of the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) was used and the abbreviation has now become the common name for the comet. Comet Ison grew at magnitude 18.8 when it was first discovered. Light from about 100,000 similar comets would be required to equal the faintest star that can be seen on a dark night with the naked eye.

Despite being very far from the sun, the Comet Ison is already amazingly bright. According to Raminder Sigh Samra, an astronomer, the super bright comet appears to be on the same path as the great comet seen in 1680 which is one of the most amazing scenarios ever experienced from planet earth. However, Samra insists that the 2012 S1 will be one of the brightest in history if it meets the expectations already predicted.

Currently, the Comet Ison is 6.5 degrees due east of the first magnitude star Pollux in Gemini the twins. Amateur astronomers with large telescopes can image the comet which is now bright enough to be seen. However, it is not until late 2013 (probably the end of November 2013) that clear details of the comet will be seen. Moreover, it is expected to cross the naked eye visibility threshold sometime during early November and might exceed the brightness of the full moon when it flies closest to the sun.

Comet 2012 S1 is currently estimated by astronomers to be at a distance about 615 million miles from earth in between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn. It is also expected to pass just about 6.2 million miles from mars due to the gravitational pull from the sun and might be a good opportunity for NASA to take photos.

Despite all this, a number of comets have been known to create a buzz but failing to display a dazzling show.
Ice and rubble may break apart as a result of intense heat should the Comet Ison come within 1.2 million miles of the sun and thus scotch the sky show. "

Created - 00:55

Update - 10:20

Update - 8 January

Determining the time of darkness in mid-summer at medium to high latitudes.