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Community => Recreation Commons => Our researchers have made a breakthrough! => Topic started by: Buster's Uncle on November 25, 2013, 05:57:38 pm

Title: Last Chance to See Comet ISON Before Its Thursday Sun Encounter
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 25, 2013, 05:57:38 pm

Last Chance to See Comet ISON Before Its Thursday Sun Encounter
SPACE.com
By Megan Gannon, News Editor  36 minutes ago


(http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/hAdK9Jlq0gevGRrL1AM5_Q--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTU2NTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz01NzU-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/News/SPACE.com/Last_Chance_to_See_Comet-a9938ae689257d270ab9e916b60f0893)
This new view of Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) was taken with the TRAPPIST national telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory



The early morning of Tuesday, Nov. 26, will be the last chance to spot Comet ISON streaking above the horizon before it makes its Thanksgiving Day slingshot around the sun, according to NASA.

Comet ISON will pass perilously close to the solar surface at a distance of about 730,000 miles (1.2 million kilometers) on Thanksgiving (Nov. 28). The icy wanderer could be ripped apart during this encounter, but if it survives, skywatching experts have said the comet could put on a spectacular show in the weeks ahead, exploding in brightness as it releases dust.

By Tuesday morning, the comet's head will be hidden below the horizon but its tail should be on display, according to NASA experts. Comet ISON can be spotted near the southeast horizon to the right of Saturn and Mercury about an hour before dawn, space agency officials said.


(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/Lar6kg.V2khvlCDeQDBG6Q--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTQ0NDtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz01NzU-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/News/SPACE.com/Last_Chance_to_See_Comet-2a1306525f3302bac0edd5d41b71c4bc)
Before dawn on Nov. 26, 2013, Comet ISON's tail will be visible to the right of Saturn and Mercury near the southeast horizon.


From very dark locations free of light pollution, Comet ISON should be visible to the naked eye early Tuesday, though it will be more clearly visible with binoculars and telescopes. For novice skywatchers who need help finding the planets to guide their eyes to ISON, NASA recommends using a stargazing app. There is also a free app for the iPhone and iPad called Comet Watch that points users in the direction of ISON. You can download it at the iTunes store.

After Comet ISON goes out of view for people on the ground, space telescopes like NASA's SOHO spacecraft will be watching its deciding dive toward the sun. The comet should come back into view near the eastern horizon in the early morning hours of Nov. 29 and/or 30, skywatching experts have said.

Editor's note: If you snap an amazing picture of Comet ISON or any other night sky view that you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, send photos, comments and your name and location to managing editor Tariq Malik at spacephotos@space.com.

You can follow the latest Comet ISON news, photos and video on SPACE.com.


http://news.yahoo.com/last-chance-see-comet-ison-thursday-sun-encounter-171906793.html (http://news.yahoo.com/last-chance-see-comet-ison-thursday-sun-encounter-171906793.html)

Title: Re: Last Chance to See Comet ISON Before Its Thursday Sun Encounter
Post by: Geo on November 25, 2013, 06:08:44 pm

With a little luck, I'll be seeing ISON from this location in a few days. :D

(http://www.weplayciv.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13644&d=1385403165)