Comet Coming In 2013 Could Outshine Full Moon

Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) is coming in 2013 and it could be brighter than a full moon, astronomers say.

Comet Coming In 2013

By November 28, 2013, the comet will be less than two million kilometers from the Sun. Experts predict it will dazzle the eye at up to magnitude -16, which is far brighter than the full moon.

If predictions hold true, the newly discovered comet will be one of the greatest comets in human history, outshining the memorable comets that had passed by Earth in the past.

The brightest comet since 1935 was Comet Ikeya–Seki in 1965 at magnitude -10.

Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) was discovered on September 21, 2012 by the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) in Russia when astronomers Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok captured it on CCD images taken through a 0.4-metre reflector. It is currently falling toward the Sun from between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn. In early 2013 October it will pass very near Mars and possibly be visible to rovers and orbiting spacecraft. It will be well placed for northern hemisphere observers in mid to late December 2013.

"Comet ISON appears on course to achieve sungrazer status as it passes within a solar diameter of Sun's surface in late 2013 November," NASA writes. "Whatever survives will then pass nearest the Earth in late 2013 December."

NASA adds: "Astronomers around the world will be tracking this large dirty snowball closely to better understand its nature and how it might evolve during the next 15 months."