Universe  ID: 11370

Comet Alert

Story by Kayvon Sharghi Released on November 21, 2013
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Speeding toward the sun, Comet ISON is literally heating up.
Images of Comet ISON have been pouring in ever since a pair of Russian astronomers discovered it back in September 2012. But the very best are yet to come, so we think. What makes comets photogenic—and so eye-catching to sky watchers everywhere—is the glow they give off as they travel through space. The glow is the result of gases and dust particles that are shed from a comet due to heating by the sun’s energy. The closer a comet gets to the sun, the more material is released and the brighter it becomes. That’s why scientists are looking forward to November 28, 2013, when Comet ISON will loop around the sun at close range. If it survives the trip, the comet may grow bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. Watch the video to learn more.
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Watch this video to find out more about Comet ISON and its journey through the solar system.
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NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope captured this image of Comet ISON in April 2013.
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Comet ISON was 354 million miles from the sun when this image was taken. Its luminous tail is more than 50,000 miles long.
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Comet ISON will come within 730,000 miles of the sun on Nov. 28, 2013.

For More Information

Science@NASA

Story Credits

Lead Writer:
Kayvon Sharghi (USRA)

Please give credit for this item to:
Science@NASA and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Video courtesy of Science@NASA
Comet images courtesy of NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage Team

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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/11370

Keywords:
SVS >> App
NASA Science >> Universe