Wednesday, April 10, 2013

I is for ISON

ison
Sizzle. Or fizzle. The performance of comets cannot be accurately predicted. They can fascinate or disappoint scientists and observers. But scientists have high hopes for the comet ISON. 

On Nov. 28, 2013, the head of the comet passes 800,000 miles (1.2 million kilometers) above the sun's surface. This is closer to the sun's surface than the sun's own diameter. If it survives its close brush with the sun without breaking up, Comet ISON will make a hairpin turn past the sun, whipping around onto the outbound leg of its orbit. The comet could provide a spectacular display in Earth’s skies in November and December. 

Astronomers have high hopes because Comet ISON seems to be a new comet fresh from the Oort cloud, a zone of deep-frozen objects orbiting in the dark outlands of our solar system. The most optimistic prediction is that Comet ISON could rival the Great Comet of 1680. 

Comet ISON is believed to be making its first trip to the sun, and so is hoped to still have most of its volatiles intact. Volatiles are the substances which heat up and blast off the comet's nucleus to form the wispy comet tail which can stretch for millions of miles through space. Reference

32 comments:

  1. That sounds fascinating. Hope you will remind us in November. Oort clouds always make me think of Pern and its dragonriders.

    JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

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  2. Oh, I SO want to see that...

    Tina @ Life is Good
    Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
    @TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge

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  3. My neighbor has his own mini-observatory on the top of his house. I've booked my seat for Ison's appearance.

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  4. That is so awesome...Hopefully I will remember when November rolls around! I love to watch the sky when we have comet showers.

    Shannon at I Survived and Now I Run

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  5. sorry i have not been around... you have moved as this post does... all the best!

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  6. I will try and remember when November arrives to see the comets, but the last week I shall be in your Country Beanson MO. hope to see them there.

    Yvonne.

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  7. What spectacular shots of the comet. It is always neat to go out and catch these displays. I'm seeing a lot more of the night sky since I moved to a rural area.

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  8. Will we be able to see it without a telescope?

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  9. Wow, haven't seen anything about this in any of my science mags. Thanks for the info, hope we get to see it! (But not too closely.) :-)

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  10. So far each of your posts for A to Z leaves me shaking my head saying, "That's freaking nuts."
    I"m marking my calendar now to catch ISON later this year.

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  11. What a fun and fascinating post! I have a feeling I'm going to really enjoy following your blog. :)

    #atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com

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  12. Wow! That sounds like it could be pretty cool.

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  13. Stephen, I am sorry I have missed your A-Z posts up til now. I knew you had some Blogger issues but didn't know your new site until I just read it on Alex's post. I'll have to take some time and catch up. Hope all is well!

    Chuck at Apocalypse Now

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  14. That would be very cool. I'm eager to see it when it happens.

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  15. So, you're telling me I have something awesome to look forward to this Nov/December on top of presents. Super sweet!

    Cath from Dramatics and Words

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  16. Sounds like a spectacular celestial show--thanks for the heads up!

    Best,
    Joe
    J: Just Another Brick in the Wall

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  17. Never knew about this comet, but shall be on the look out for it. No doubt we'll be hearing more about it prior to it's heralded arrival...fascinating!
    Great'I' word.
    Kathy at Oak Lawn Images

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  18. I'll have to keep watching for news of this. Will we all be able to see it no matter where we live?

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  19. Hi Steve .. thank goodness it's still going to happen - I'll enjoy keeping an eye out for this .. and the update ..

    Sounds very interesting .. cheers Hilary

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  20. Eek! Comets freak me out ever since "Armageddon." Well, if we passed the Mayan calendar scare, I guess maybe no comet will kill us off like the dinosaurs...maybe.

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  21. Wow, this sounds awesome! I will definitely watch for news of it in November.

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  22. I am really excited about this one. I am thinking of maybe even taking a vacation to the best possible view:)
    My 10 year old grandson actually just told me about it. I am going to share your post with him the next time he comes over.
    doreenmcgettigan.com

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  23. Hi Stephen. Sounds like the soon-to-be best show on TV, for whatever they can show, of course.
    Very interesting.
    Silvia @ Silvia Writes

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  24. Interesting stuff!!

    Visiting from A-Z

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  25. That is a stunning image. I'll be looking forward to November!

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  26. Checking in to make sure I'm at the right spot. Been trying to make sure to know where to keep up with you and Chase Manhattan :-)

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  27. What a picture, the subject I think went right over my head; but the picture is cool.

    You're my last visit of the day, so thought I'd also let you know #323 Places to Go, People to Be has a post indicating he's not doing the challenge, so you can remove him.

    A-Z

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  28. You crossed my mind this morning. I wondered what has been happening with your blog.

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