A comet called ISON which could be the brightest for centuries is headed for a very close encounter with the sun.
It is expected to pass roughly 1 million kilometres from the sun’s surface on November 28 creating a cosmic spectacle as ice in its body vapourises and forms a bright tail.
Or alternatively, the heat from the sun could blast the comet into smithereens. But, recent calculations have shown ISON is more likely to survive.
ISON was discovered in September last year by two amateur astronomers using Russia’s International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) and were marvelled at how bright the comet was even beyond Jupiter’s orbit.
When the comet reaches us it will be more than 100 times closer to the sun than the Hale-Bopp comet. Hale-Bopp was one of the brightest comets of the last century and was visible with the naked eye for a record 18 months in 1997.
ISON has so far been photographed through telescopes and long exposures but is expected to be visible to the naked eye throughout December and January.
The sun’s rays will heat the ball of ice, metal and rock to 2,760 degrees Celsius, making it much brighter than most comets with some scientists claiming it could outshine the moon.
Over the weekend, amateur astronomers began posting the first pictures of the comet that were taken with just binoculars or small telescopes.
We wait with anticipation for December to see the magnificent spectacle.
Are you an avid star gazer and are excited about this news? And what has been some of the most memorable sights you have seen?
