Skywatchers are already marking their calendars for the arrival of Comet ISON later this year. The excitement is real mostlly because we haven't seen such a (potentially) bright comet in the northern hemisphere since Hale-Bopp & Hyakutake back in 1995-96. Comets are usually named after their discoverers - such as Comet Halley after Sir Edmund Halley in the early 1700's. ISON was discovered by two members of the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON), a network of observers who track
man-made space debris. Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok of Russia made the discovery last September. (I'm guessing that ISON is easier to remember than "Comet Nevski-Novichonok.") Either way the comet may rival the Great Comet of 1680 in which Sir Issac Newton himself witnessed and was reportedly seen in daylight! Comet ISON (currently near Jupiter's orbit) has already brightened as it heads towards the Sun. This is unusual in that most long-period comets tend to brighten around the orbit of Mars as they head towards the Sun from deep space. Will this comet pose a threat to Earth (ala the movie "Armageddon")? No. The closest approach to Earth will be around 37 million miles - so no worries - just mark your calendars.
man-made space debris. Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok of Russia made the discovery last September. (I'm guessing that ISON is easier to remember than "Comet Nevski-Novichonok.") Either way the comet may rival the Great Comet of 1680 in which Sir Issac Newton himself witnessed and was reportedly seen in daylight! Comet ISON (currently near Jupiter's orbit) has already brightened as it heads towards the Sun. This is unusual in that most long-period comets tend to brighten around the orbit of Mars as they head towards the Sun from deep space. Will this comet pose a threat to Earth (ala the movie "Armageddon")? No. The closest approach to Earth will be around 37 million miles - so no worries - just mark your calendars.
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