A comet due to pass close to the Earth in 2013 is expected to provide a rare and spectacular display.
The comet was only recently discovered by two Russian astronomers and has been named 'Ison' after the International Scientific Optical Network. What makes this particular comet so special is that it is due to pass very close to the Earth next year and is expected to be so bright in the sky that it will be visible with the naked eye and even brighter than the Moon. It will come in to range from the beginning of November 2013 until the first few weeks of 2014.
Ison is believed to have originated in the Oort Cloud, an extensive region of icy rocks located in the outer solar system. On it's way to us the comet may also be visible from the Curiosity rover on Mars before making a pass of the Earth as close as 700,000 miles on November 28th.
"Skywatchers may be in for a rare treat in 2013 -- a newly discovered comet is expected to pass very close to the sun, putting on what could be the celestial show of a century."
View: Full article | Source: Discovery News
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