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Comet Ison

MNCYWX

MNCYWX

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2010
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Med City, MN
Just in case you haven't already heard...

A once in a lifetime astronomical event is coming for the end of 2013... The Comet Ison.

It is expected to be visible to the naked eye from November 2013 to January 2014. It is also expected to be brighter than the full moon at times, perhaps even visible during the day!

Ison will be passing 39,000,000 mi away from the Earth and 680,000 mi (Just under 3 times the distance from the earth to the moon) away from the sun as it wraps around it.

My favorite line... "If you stood upon it you could leap 20 miles into space taking over a week to come down again, watching as the comet rotated beneath you."

[h=5]'Brighter than a full moon': The biggest star of 2013... could be Ison - the comet of the century - Science - News - The Independent[/h]
 
Looks like a cult has one year to develop and prepare for the mass suicide. Windbreaker jackets and black Nikes with a white swoosh could soon be trending next year (ala Heaven's Gate). I may invest in Nike to reap the benefit of the crazies.
 
State43 said:
I love the once a lifetime event that happens every year.
Click to expand...

I was just going to say the same thing. Every 6 months to a year there is a "once in a lifetime" astronomical event. I only take the same crap once, but I don't have people beating down my door to look at it.
 
Here's a look at the 'brightness' of comets in recent history (Negative = Brighter)

Brightest comets in the last two-thirds century

Here's how the magnitude scale works.

The astronomical magnitude scale



Considering they are estimating the magnitude of this comet to be as bright if not brighter than the moon (-13 Magnitude) I would definitely consider this to be a once-in-a-lifetime event.

I remember Hale-bopp in the 90s... that was pretty darn cool. This one looks to knock the socks off that one in terms of brightness.
 
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There was comet kahoutek in the mid 70's that was supposed to light up the night sky but was a big disappointment. I remember seeing it but from my vantage point it was barely visible. I hope this one will live up to it's billing.
 
I thought Comet Ison was a new football recruit. I was thinking now that is a cool name. Especially if he was a receiver or rb.
 
this makes me want to start a *****OFFICIAL 2013/2014 NEW YEARS EVE THREAD***** just to make sure i get the credits.
 
MNCYWX said:
Here's a look at the 'brightness' of comets in recent history (Negative = Brighter)

Brightest comets in the last two-thirds century

Here's how the magnitude scale works.

The astronomical magnitude scale



Considering they are estimating the magnitude of this comet to be as bright if not brighter than the moon (-13 Magnitude) I would definitely consider this to be a once-in-a-lifetime event.

I remember Hale-bopp in the 90s... that was pretty darn cool. This one looks to knock the socks off that one in terms of brightness.
Click to expand...

If this one beats Hale-bopp, that will truly be cool. Hale bopp is the brightest thing I've every seen in the night sky other than the moon. It really was something to see.
 
Ison is now so close to the sun you will have a hard time seeing even a wisp of the tail as the sun rises. Of the comets I have seen, Comet West back in 1975 was tops. As Ison swings pass the sun (at 224 miles/second!) it's path will transit into the northern skies close to Earth. In early December Ison may be seen still in the morning and should be prime. Below is a good shot of what I feel it looked like prior to sun approach.

2012s120131122lrgb.jpg
 
Saw a cool show on PBS other night about comet ISON. It rounds the sun on the 28th. most experts thought it wouldn't make the trip. be cool to see though. Did you not see Hale Bopp ? Way cool except for the Heavens Gate people.
 
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