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Credit & Copyright: Damian Peach
Explanation:
How impressive will Comet ISON become?
No one is sure, but unfortunately, as
the comet
approaches the inner Solar System, it is
brightening more
slowly
than many early predictions.
Pictured above, Comet ISON is seen about two weeks ago as it continued to develop
a tail.
Last week the comet passed relatively close to Mars, and was
directly imaged by the
Mars Reconnaissance
Orbiter.
When Comet ISON dives to within a few solar radii of
the Sun's surface in late November, it
may become brighter than the Moon and sport a long and flowing tail --
or it may appear somewhat less spectacular.
Either way, sky
enthusiasts hope that whatever comet parts survive will put on quite an impressive
show,
as viewed from Earth, through at least the rest of the year.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: comet
Publications with words: comet
See also:
- APOD: 2024 June 4 Á Comet Pons Brooks Develops Opposing Tails
- APOD: 2024 April 17 Á Total Eclipse and Comets
- APOD: 2024 April 8 Á The Changing Ion Tail of Comet Pons Brooks
- Comet Pons-Brooks at Night
- APOD: 2024 March 18 Á Comet Pons Brooks Swirling Coma
- Comet 12P/Pons Brooks in Northern Spring
- Structure in the Tail of Comet 12P/Pons Brooks