Comet brighter than moon to be visible in 2013
PUNE: Comet ISON, discovered recently by Russian scientists, will be visible in India towards the end of 2013 and experts have said that the comet which will be seen above the western horizon after sunset is likely to be visible to naked eye and could well be brighter than the moon.
"How a comet will behave is generally unpredictable. However, with its present positioning, it seems that it will be as bright as the moon and visible towards the end of 2013 above the western horizon," Arvind Paranjpye, director of Mumbai-based Nehru Centre, said.
The comet called C/ 2012 S1 (ISON) was discovered by Russian astronomers Vitali Nevski andArtyom Novichonok using the International Scientific Optical Network telescope. It will pass within two million miles of the sun's surface.
"The comet is said to shine 15 times brighter than the moon and potentially visible in broad daylight will fly by the earth next year, giving people a chance to witness one of the mostspectacular events," Paranjpye said.
The Russian astronomers have said that the comet may be brighter than any comet spotted in the last century, visible even in broad daylight, and this may end up being its one and only trip to the solar system, as its trajectory may see it plunge into the sun in a fiery death.
Comets are dusty balls of ice, generally originate from the Kuiper belt, a region of icy small bodies beyond Neptune. Occasionally, a comet gets dislodged from its orbit, and plunges into the inner solar system.
Halley's comet is named after Edmond Halley who noted its regular 75-76-year appearance. He had said it return in 1758. In 1910, the comet has passed within a fraction of the Earth which moved through the comet's tail.
"Curiosity is building up among astronomy clubs in the city about the comet. We have been talking about the comet ever since it was discovered. We are waiting to witness this spectacularastronomical phenomenon," said Akash Kulkarni, an amateur astronomer.
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