Thanksgiving entertainment: A Brief Encounter (of a comet with the Sun!)

Over the past few day, scientists around the world have been observing the comet ISON in order to study the fate of this 2 km chunk of ice as it brushed past the Sun just one million km above the surface at its perihelion (its closest point). For comparison, this is 150 times closer to the sun than we are! There were several predicted outcomes, including disintegration due to the intense heat and gravity of the sun or survival intact from a gravitational slingshot round the Sun.

ISON’s encounter with the sun coincided with Thanksgiving this year, although the comet’s approach to the Sun had been monitored over the past year. Astronomers observed the brightness of the comet to try and infer how intact it remained. Less light coming from the comet would have implied fragmentation. After the comet’s brief encounter with the sun it was initially declared dead as it appeared to be a dark smudge in space telescopes. However, more recent images have indicated that the comet may be brightening, suggesting at least part of the comet remained intact.

The future is unclear for the comet ISON, as astronomers cannot fully observe what has happened, and it could continue to brighten or fizzle out. Scientists are keeping their eyes peeled as this should allow a good opportunity to observe the composition and interior of comets that could provide information about our solar system.

Read more at: http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/soho-shows-new-images-of-comet-ison/#.UphsXBZYXwx