Faulkes Telescope Observations
Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON)
Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) on 2012 December 7th. Image obtained using
the Faulkes Telescope North, operated by Las Cumbres Observatory.
This image was obtained by Gillian Harte, Chris McClure, David Morris and
Jamie Robinson controlling the 2-metre Faulkes Telescope North via the Web
from Armagh Observatory, courtesy of the
Faulkes Telescope Project
and
Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope
Network.
The comet (at the centre) looks more diffuse than the surrounding stars. But
at that time more distant than the orbit of Jupiter, it has not become very
bright yet (compare
C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) which
was already looking quite impressive when seen through Faulkes in August).
Both C/2011 L4 and C/2012 S1 are expected to become notable sky objects in
2013, with the latter likely to be the more spectacular of the two
eventually. Nevertheless, predicting cometary brightnesses is difficult.
Only after seeing the extent to which Comet ISON's brightness increases over
the next several months will we start to have an idea whether it will be one
of the great comets of the century, or not.
Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) will be closest to the sun, both in space and as seen
in the sky, on 2013 November 28th, and will additionally be at its brightest
around then. In the days leading up to this date, the comet will approach
the sun from the west, as seen in the sky (observable just before sunrise,
whether you live in the northern or southern hemisphere). In the days
following, it will move north of the sun (observable just before sunrise or
just after sunset, if you live in the north).
Links:
More astronomical projects with the Faulkes Telescopes
Last Revised: 2012 December 17th
|
|
