2013 is gunna be an exciting year for cosmological phenomenon *Brightest comet in human history?*

A new comet has been discovered that is predicted to blaze incredibly brilliantly in the skies during late 2013. With a perihelion passage of less than two million kilometres from the Sun on 28 November 2013, current predictions are of an object that will dazzle the eye at up to magnitude —16. That's far brighter than the full Moon. If predictions hold true then C/2012 S1 will certainly be one of the greatest comets in human history, far outshining the memorable Comet Hale-Bopp of 1997 and very likely to outdo the long-awaited Comet Pan-STARRS (C/2011 L4) which is set to stun in March 2013.

The new comet, named C/2012 S1 (ISON) was found by the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) in Russia on 21 September when astronomers Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok captured it on CCD images taken through a 0.4-metre reflector. Its near-parabolic orbit suggests that it has arrived fresh from the Oort Cloud, a vast zone of icy objects orbiting the Sun, pristine remnants of the formation of the Solar System. C/2012 S1 currently resides in the northwestern corner of Cancer. At magnitude +18 it is too dim to be seen visually but it will be within the reach of experienced amateur astronomers with CCD equipment in the coming months as it brightens. It is expected to reach binocular visibility by late summer 2013 and a naked eye object in early November of that year. Northern hemisphere observers are highly favoured. Following its peak brightness in late November it will remain visible without optical aid until mid-January 2014.

Comet brightness predictions sometimes exceed their performance. Amateur astronomers of a certain age may remember the Comet Kohoutek hype of 1973 – not quite the 'damp squib' it has been portrayed, since it reached naked eye visibility! Even if C/2012 S1 takes on the same light curve as Kohoutek it is certain to be spectacular, quite possibly a once-in-a-civilisation's-lifetime event.

Source

Crazy they just now found it.
Its brightness magnitude is expected to be -16. In comparison, the sun has a magnitude of -26, and Comet Hale-Bopp was magnitude -1

reply to post by ubeenhad


Wow, I reeeaaally hope I'm alive to see this.

Armageddon, if you're coming, please wait until after this. Thanks.

Source?

Originally posted by Razmijix
Source?

www.astronomynow.com...

reply to post by ubeenhad


I'd seen a report on it earlier.

I can't wait, it should be a once-in-a-life time opportunity to see a comet brighter than the moon pass by.

I'm glad it isn't passing by this year, boy, I'd be digging a bunker under my garage and stock piling dried peas and rice if that was the case.



The report I'd seen earlier said it may be seen during the day in the northern hemisphere, then maybe plow into the sun.

reply to post by ubeenhad


Got it.
Thanks

Wow, that's incredible! Hopefully the weather will agree with us here in Canada. Usually November weather is cloudy, rainy with snow %70 of the time

Fingers crossed y'all

Originally posted by Xquizit
Wow, that's incredible! Hopefully the weather will agree with us here in Canada. Usually November weather is cloudy, rainy with snow %70 of the time

Fingers crossed y'all

Yeah probably cloudy here in the UK too, but can you imagine seeing a body, brighter than the moon pass by in the sky?

It should hopefully be seen during the day too, according to some reports.

I really hope it lives up to expectations! For those of you worried about the weather (I'm in the UK) don't worry too much, it'll be visible for at least a couple of months. Plenty of time to get some clear skies.

Originally posted by Tykonos

Originally posted by Xquizit
Wow, that's incredible! Hopefully the weather will agree with us here in Canada. Usually November weather is cloudy, rainy with snow %70 of the time

Fingers crossed y'all

Yeah probably cloudy here in the UK too, but can you imagine seeing a body, brighter than the moon pass by in the sky?

It should hopefully be seen during the day too, according to some reports.

edit on 28-9-2012 by Tykonos because: (no reason given)

What did the ancients think when they saw stuff like this. Think of the rumors that would start at the time, haha. Its *insert name of god*'s snot rocket!

Could fall into the category of the second sun theory

2nd

reply to post by ubeenhad


Very true.

I still find the Northern Lights weird and strange, even though I'm aware of why and how they happen.

It's a great time to be in where science can give answers to such things.

reply to post by ubeenhad


Many of the stories persist from ancient times regarding comets. It is easier to search by the civilization that interests you but Here is an ok place to start

Say whats the big idea? I thought us mugs we're gonna skeedadle on 12-21-2012? I though we wuz gonna shuffle off to Buffalo...vamoose....blow this joint SEE! My aunt Myrtle is a cosmologist and she never Hooyd a such a ting! Whoob, whoob, whoob...Moe, Larry the Cheese!

Originally posted by iforget
reply to post by ubeenhad

 

Many of the stories persist from ancient times regarding comets. It is easier to search by the civilization that interests you but Here is an ok place to start

edit on 9/28/2012 by iforget because: (no reason given)

Interesting.
Wonder what made so many cultures sure it was a bad omen and not a good one. Could a major disaster have followed right after a comet, that effected multiple cultures around the world? or just coincidence?

Originally posted by ubeenhad

Originally posted by iforget
reply to post by ubeenhad

 

Many of the stories persist from ancient times regarding comets. It is easier to search by the civilization that interests you but Here is an ok place to start

edit on 9/28/2012 by iforget because: (no reason given)

Interesting.
Wonder what made so many cultures sure it was a bad omen and not a good one. Could a major disaster have followed right after a comet, that effected multiple cultures around the world? or just coincidence?

Hmm, maybe not, think of Jesus and that star in the sky.

Okay it may have been a supernova but a comet on a path could have no tail.

I'm not sure of many other comet nasties, periodic doom wise.

Originally posted by ubeenhad
Wonder what made so many cultures sure it was a bad omen and not a good one. Could a major disaster have followed right after a comet, that effected multiple cultures around the world? or just coincidence?

I guess it's fear of the unknown. Those cultures would have had no idea what a comet was and would have attributed it to the supernatural. The person for whom it really was a bad omen though, would have been the King's (or whatever) astrologer who failed to predict it.

Lost my intended post apologies

Originally posted by iforget
reply to post by ubeenhad

 

Here is some speculation on why so many of the comet myths would be negative

Sarcasm?
Very poor speculation, if thats what you could call it. Good things could happen the same way and should balance out belief in theory. I think a big, universal event, deep in history, perforating through all cultures could explain the insistence on evil. The comet doesnt even have to cause the disaster directly, it just has to coincide with the arrival some way.

Originally posted by iforget
reply to post by ubeenhad

 

Here is some speculation on why so many of the comet myths would be negative

Double post.