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John Homenuk

Three weeks from perihelion, ISON still puzzling

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With perihelion fast approaching, Comet ISON is brightening steadily as it makes its first and only trip towards the inner solar system. The comet, once dubbed “Comet of the Century” by amateur astronomers after it was discovered at an alarmingly bright magnitude over a year ago, has fallen short of expectations since then. But studies by various scientists have only left confusing results and differing opinions. Some say the comet is on its way to disintegration, others are expecting an outburst of brightness within the next two weeks. ISON, however, will do what it wants — as it continues its trek towards the sun, and then outward into space once again.

Comet ISON, imaged November 3rd 2013 by Rolando Ligustri.

Comet ISON, imaged November 3rd 2013 by Rolando Ligustri.

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John Homenuk

Comet ISON, expected to thrill, may be dying

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What was once heralded as the potential “Comet of the Century” may be an equally large disappointment. Although previous reports of the comets demise may have been significantly exaggerated, new information reveals that not only is the comet underwhelming as it races towards the sun — it is also smaller than expected, and tracking in a very dangerous area for comets that wish to survive.

The comet recently passed near Mars, where NASA utilized several imaging tools to view it. It was this imaging, coupled with thousands of others which have been taken over the last several months, which revealed that Comet ISON may not be what it was initially perceived to be. The comet, which was discovered over a year ago and began brightening ahead of schedule, would have eventually reached a magnitude of -17 if it had continued to brighten at such a rate. But, over the last 4-6 months, the comets brightening has “stalled”. And this is bad, bad news for those who are hoping for a bright comet this autumn and winter.

Comet ISON as observed by the Hubble Space Telescop, near Jupiter, in April of 2013.

Comet ISON as observed by the Hubble Space Telescope near Jupiter, in April of 2013.

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John Homenuk

Comet ISON’s moment of truth not far away

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Several months ago, it was heralded as the upcoming “Comet of the Century”. Whether exaggerated or not, the general theme in all predictions for Comet ISON, which is expected to streak through the sky during November and December 2013, was that it would be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Some predictions even ventured to say that ISON would shine brighter than a full moon in the night sky, and be visible during the daylight hours.

But suddenly, as astronomers and amateurs alike began to capture new images of Comet ISON drawing closer to our neighborhood of the universe, the predictions changed. Newer imagery showed that ISON was not nearly as bright as anticipated, and out of the woodworks came the reports that the comet may not be seen at all.

While reports of the comet’s demise may be greatly exaggerated, the wild reports of an astronomical event for the ages may be as well. The truth it, we don’t know just yet how bright ISON may eventually be. The key lies in the path, and timing, of ISON’s future over the next few weeks.

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NASA imagery captures massive CME

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As benign and inactive as the weather pattern has been the last several days in the NYC Area, the sun has been conjuring up some major developments. And it’s acting up again. On Monday a corona mass ejection, otherwise known as a CME, occurred on the edge of the sun. CME’ s are common during the suns more active periods — one of which we are heading into. The more active solar cycle has been underwhelming thus far, but NASA was able to capture Monday’s CME with an incredible high resolution video. Attached below, the video shows the CME erupting off the sun in a rolling wave — shooting billions of tons of particles into space at millions of miles per hour.

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