Philippine News Update: Batangas Today: Comet Coming in 2013: Comet C/2012 S1 Could be Brighter than The Moon, Astronomers Say

Monday, December 31, 2012

Batangas Today: Comet Coming in 2013: Comet C/2012 S1 Could be Brighter than The Moon, Astronomers Say

Comet Coming in 2013: Comet C/2012 S1 Could be Brighter than The Moon, Astronomers Say

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 08:20 PM PST

Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON)
Image Credit: Ernesto Guido, Giovanni Sostero
& Nick Howes/Remanzacco Observatory

A newly discovered comet will make its closest pass by Earth in 2013 and may be visible to naked eye when it draws near, according to Space.com reports, December 31, 2012.

Based on reports, the discovery of the object named Comet ISON was announced September 24 by Russians Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok who detected the comet using telescope of the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON).

The comet, officially known as C/2012 S1 bears a striking resemblance to that of the "Great Comet of 1680", according to astronomers. Also, ISON could be "brighter even than the full moon" when it passes by Earth, according to British astronomer David Whitehouse.

Moreover, reports said comet ISON will be barely visible to the unaided eye in October 2013.

On October 16 the comet will be passing very near both Mars and the bright star Regulus , while in November, it could be as bright as third-magnitude when it passes very close to the bright first-magnitude star Spica in Virgo.

In addition, based on reports, November 28 will likely be most interesting since the comet will have its closest approach to sun.