Comet Ison is a coming

Mr. Charlie · 11-23-2013, 08:32 PM

Not sure how many of you folks care for astronomy or gaze up in wonder at the night sky, but in a few days time Comet Ison is set to appear and could be a magnificent spectacle. Some are even predicting it's the comet of the century. But it's worth noting that it might burn up in the Sun's corona before it's even on view. They're notoriously tricky objects to predict so either is possible.

Full story here: BBC News - Ison: The comet of the century

Here's how gorgeous they can look:

I have the fondest memories of the famous comet Hale-Bopp which appeared in 1996. That thing hung low in the summer sky for months and looked beautiful, so beautiful that it encouraged a friend and I to drop acid almost every night that summer. Just to sit on a hill, tripping, and to marvel at it, it was magical, and it's image is forever burnt into our consciousness. That was a special and happy comet. Here's hoping Ison follows suit.

Hale-Bopp:

~~Cuthbert~~ · 11-24-2013, 08:15 AM

Saw it on BBC1 last night. Can we see this from the UK? Think they said the Geordies could not sure about the Midlands?

Mr. Charlie · 11-24-2013, 03:25 PM

Yeah, it will be visible from the UK (all of the UK I believe). Providing it doesn't fall apart while grazing the Sun, it'll be on show low in the eastern sky in the early hours before dawn. Some predict it will be 15 times brighter than the moon and visible in daylight.

Mondo Bungle · 11-25-2013, 03:05 PM

Comet ISON: How to Spot the Comet Thanksgiving | Weather Underground
Promising Comet ISON Gets Brighter, But Will It Really Sizzle? | Space.com

~~Cuthbert~~ · 11-28-2013, 03:02 PM

NASA Hangout: Comet ISON LIVE - YouTube

Live stream from NASA guise. Apparently they don't think it survived the sun. But I'm sure I heard them say it's on course for 'a spectacular show'.

Dunno what's going on tbh.

Post edit: Doesn't matter, ISON hasn't made it

.

Really disappointing

.

Mr. Charlie · 11-29-2013, 11:07 AM

I heard someone from Nasa on the radio this morning saying that part of the comet may have survived, and this article alludes to the same possibility: BBC News - Hope still for 'dead' Comet Ison

So there's still a chance of it becoming something to see in the Decemeber skies - just not the comet of the century as previously predicted.

11-23-2013, 08:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mr. Charlie Shoo Thoughts Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: These Mountains Posts: 2,308	Comet Ison is a coming Not sure how many of you folks care for astronomy or gaze up in wonder at the night sky, but in a few days time Comet Ison is set to appear and could be a magnificent spectacle. Some are even predicting it's the comet of the century. But it's worth noting that it might burn up in the Sun's corona before it's even on view. They're notoriously tricky objects to predict so either is possible. Full story here: BBC News - Ison: The comet of the century Here's how gorgeous they can look: I have the fondest memories of the famous comet Hale-Bopp which appeared in 1996. That thing hung low in the summer sky for months and looked beautiful, so beautiful that it encouraged a friend and I to drop acid almost every night that summer. Just to sit on a hill, tripping, and to marvel at it, it was magical, and it's image is forever burnt into our consciousness. That was a special and happy comet. Here's hoping Ison follows suit. Hale-Bopp:

11-28-2013, 03:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
~~Cuthbert~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Black Country Posts: 8,827	NASA Hangout: Comet ISON LIVE - YouTube Live stream from NASA guise. Apparently they don't think it survived the sun. But I'm sure I heard them say it's on course for 'a spectacular show'. Dunno what's going on tbh. Post edit: Doesn't matter, ISON hasn't made it . Really disappointing . Last edited by Cuthbert; 11-28-2013 at 03:25 PM.

11-24-2013, 08:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
~~Cuthbert~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Black Country Posts: 8,827	Saw it on BBC1 last night. Can we see this from the UK? Think they said the Geordies could not sure about the Midlands?

11-24-2013, 03:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mr. Charlie Shoo Thoughts Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: These Mountains Posts: 2,308	Yeah, it will be visible from the UK (all of the UK I believe). Providing it doesn't fall apart while grazing the Sun, it'll be on show low in the eastern sky in the early hours before dawn. Some predict it will be 15 times brighter than the moon and visible in daylight.

11-29-2013, 11:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mr. Charlie Shoo Thoughts Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: These Mountains Posts: 2,308	I heard someone from Nasa on the radio this morning saying that part of the comet may have survived, and this article alludes to the same possibility: BBC News - Hope still for 'dead' Comet Ison So there's still a chance of it becoming something to see in the Decemeber skies - just not the comet of the century as previously predicted.