ScienceCasts: Comet of the Century

[@Zoomer30]

Levy made a good statement about how hard it is to predict a comets behavior : "Comets are like cats: They both have tails and do precisely what they want"

[@kwood1112]

Thanks for the reply, and it's really refreshing to hear a scientist (or advocate for) state that scientists don't have all the answers. Often times, I see theories presented as proofs and hypotheses as facts. Many laymen don't understand the difference and mistakenly think that we "know" everything, when in fact, we are still learning - constantly.

[@sleepydoc97]

What a great video. This was very informative. I like the voice and cadence of the narrator.

[@TheArhive]

A wise man once said: "Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not. Both thoughts are equally terrifying "

[@OpusBuddly]

ISON fizzled.

[@Beanedict_C]

The comet's actual assigned name is C/2012 S1 (ISON), with the (ISON) at the end indicating the location from which it was discovered and not the comet's "nickname". Other comets discovered there would also have (ISON) at the end. This video probably just calls it "Ison" because of mistaken news reporters calling it "Ison". Also, Elenin sounds like something out of LOTR.

[@24kGoldenRocket]

Comet Hyakutake was a wonderful sight. That happened in 1996. That makes you about 25 to 30 Years old. You can find photos of it online if you want to remember. Of Course the Coma is overexposed to pick up the detail in the Tail. That tail stretched out some 45 Degrees to 110 Degrees. I remember that well.

[@robstrigl3420]

The comet you wrote about was Comet IKEYA - SEKI. It was seen in August of 1965 and grazed the sun at just 744,500 miles out. Hope this answeres your querry.

[@Jolielegal]

Nice video. Unfortunately I live in the southern hemisphere and will not be able to see the comet.

[@Snowwie88]

Herkenbaar, ik ben 36 en ik heb nog nooit een komeet kunnen zien door die verdraaide bewolking. Maar als ik moet autorijden schijnt de zon altijd in m'n gezicht. Het wordt tijd voor een echte spectaculaire komeet.

[@BergenGEDAdultEd]

Comets are often referred to as "dirty snowballs" because of their contents. Such a small, cold object would be invisible to astronomers, except for one thing: when a comet nucleus comes close enough to the Sun, the ices inside it warm up and vaporize. The vapor, along with dust grains that were embedded in the ice, tends to trail behind the comet on its orbit around the Sun. This leaves a long, bright tail, which we recognize as a comet.

[@ronalbright1]

Cannot wait to see!

[@johnyoung4747]

In 1973, Kahoutek did spark my interest in astronomy and prompted me to get my first telescope -- a 2.5-inch refractor that got in an even trade for a Nikon F camera body. It served me well for many years.

[@Dyslexic-Artist-Theory-on-Time]

Sounds like a great comet! This is an invitation to see an artist theory on the physics of light & time Based on 1 The quantum wave particle function Ψ or probability function represents the forward passage of time itself with the future unfolding photon by photon 2 Is that Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle ∆×∆p×≥h/4π that is formed by the w-function is the same uncertainty we have with any future event within our own ref-frame that we can interact with turning the possible into the actual

[@mabeltonpinerson2664]

THIS IS GOING TO BE AT ITS BRIGHTEST ON MY BIRTHDAY!! THANK GOD!

[@jikanaru1]

These astronomical events have launched many a career in the sciences. Hopefully it pans out. Our astronomy clubs will be filled with imaginative young minds amazed to see this unfold. I'll be on the hunt with my 5 " reflector.

[@frasercain]

It's been a long time since we've had a bright comet visible from the Northern hemisphere. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

[@DavidLPeavy]

Wow!!! There seems to be a lot of activity in our neck of the woods (so to speak). Makes me wonder if there is an undiscovered planet or a brown dwarf star stirring up the comets and asteroids in the distant reaches of our solar system. Keep those videos coming NASAatScience...

[@fairday2]

It seems that it would have been in May, but I can't remember. Our camping trips were in May as far as I could remember. But, it was an awesome site. thanks.

[@PeteCoutts]

I remeber that one too, we couldn't see it because of too much clouds and I was really disapointet and also thought I would never be able to see something similar to that.. Looking forward no to ISON and hopefuly to get a glimps at it

[@EcstaticExpressionCoffeeCo]

ISON! rockin!

[@KafshakTashtak]

I really don't know, but here's my guess: since it's going to travel toward north pole (in the sky of course) , in it's initial phase, people close to equator or slightly south of it might have a chance to observe it. but it might not be as bright as the latest phases. Any way, keep your eyes on it. Hopefully you'll see it.

[@YellaThang87]

Thank u Josh Mobly

[@Ometecuhtli]

I love the image of the Earth at 3:20. Wish it was put at the end since it got me distracted from the subject at hand :).

[@KafshakTashtak]

Reports say it will be at maximum glow in about november so about 2 months from now. I hope we can see it from October. That way we'll have enough time to plan for trips to watch this comet.

[@JesusGarcia-ps9mt]

Es verdaderamente sorprendente y espectacular este tipo de eventos universales, que es preciso dimensionar para entender el tiempo espacial que nos ha tocado transitar en esta galaxia.

[@fairday2]

There was a comet that I saw in the 60s that was very bright, but as we did not have the information that we have now, I didn't know a comet was coming until I saw it during a girl scout camping trip. If anyone has an idea of the name, I would like to know. The tail was horizontal to the ground, and lasted about a week. We live in the northern hemisphere. It may have been 65 or around then.

[@24kGoldenRocket]

Or are you writing about Hale-Bopp of 1997? Both were spectacular and Hale-Bopp holds the record as the longest lasting Naked Eye Comet ever recorded. But the approach of 9 Million Miles makes me think that you are writing of Comet Hyakutake.

[@ronki23]

I'm going to be very sad when ISON comes, I am at University and although the University itself is lame, I have friends from other countries and by the time ISON is here they will all have gone back home :(

[@199NickYT]

Augh, it sucks watching this. I was so excited and looked forward to this all year last year, only for it to be a dud. Oh well, there's plenty more opportunities for me to see a comet, and many other awesome celestial events, in my lifetime!

[@straightcleaner]

Cool, I live in the North . Should be able to see this very well.

[@rocksnstars]

A string of pearls? Didn't Shoemaker-Levy 9 and Schwassman-Wachmann 3 get stretched out like that because of their very short periods. Having a hard time picturing pieces of a comet with an eccentricity greater than 1 being pull into a line. Don't think the pieces of Comet West did.

[@MrSkyguy23]

Studying a little too hard on your thesis about science in Europe during their Dark Age, are we? I have seen about 6 comets since the early 90's. Nothing unusual to report on this end. My experience has been largely cool photographs and great memories.

[@astrohardy]

Holmes was nice, as it was unusual. But it was not a great comet like West, Hyakutake and Hale-Bopp. Concerning ISON see what happens. Media attention does not reflect comet brightness. Just compare the media echo of Kohoutek and West. West was completely ignored by the media and was bright as Jupiter and sported a bright 25 degree tail. As for Kohoutek the press went mad. When it was apparent that it fizzeled, they first decided to ignore that fact and later blamed the astronomers.

[@TrappClapp]

I can't wait for all my neighbors to turn on their 200 watt porch lights, so we can all see it better.

[@richardpond4644]

What a great teaching tool this. Neil you do a fantastic job. Thank you

[@ivorytabs]

Photographers of the world, get your gear ready! Sounds like we might get some awesome shots of this rascal this year, wherever we are located! Hope it makes it around the sun........

[@SapaHollidaySaparonia]

Lovejoy survived because it was the only 2 days of the year dec 15-16 of 2011 that there was zero activity/ sunspots. It isn't the heat (Lovejoy survived Inside the Sun's corona and was described as a snowball) or the size, Lovejoy was the size of a couple of football fields, it's the activity of the sun that matters. As for effects here on Earth, how much cyanide is there in ISON's tail please?

[@213SEMPERFI]

Lol yea dude, that's true. As longest there isn't evidence to support it a specific claim, we have to be skeptical and have an open mind. Whatever the outcome, I appriciate the fact that we're here, alive, discussing important questions. You never know, there might be intelligent beings on the other side of the universe, having the exact same discussions. :)

[@tinsol89]

What is the super bright object appearing on the left of the footage around 2:40 ?

[@angiemcbride4171]

I was just happy to be able to see the hale bopp when it came through. Had a great local too,top of South Butte of the Sutter Buttes in N.Ca. Illegal and trespassing, yes, but worth it and fun, yes to that too! It was a once in a lifetime event, so far, I wasn't passing that up!

[@zoics06]

And speaking of nasa... great answer lol

[@rawding1976]

same exact thing happens here EVERY TIME. Super moon, Comets, Meteors etc..etc..

[@immortalsoul24]

Is there a trend here? Comet Negra- 1347. The great Comet of 1680, and the comet ISON coming in Dec. 2013?- Each is seperated by 333 years. Coincidence?So, what was the Black Death? One intriguing possibility, according to Professor Mike Baillie’s book, New Light on the Black Death: The Cosmic Connection, is a comet shower.

[@doreengarrett]

I agree with you Sam, it's a long time belief of mine. Why would it need to be 'life' as we know it? That's the only 'life' we are aware of at the moment. Humans can be a bit 'arrogant' - or do I mean 'ignorant' where the possibility of 'other life' existing(in all its connotations) is concerned.

[@ne0teric]

Whoa... talk about those "other visitors from space" plz

[@OPexists]

if it will be visible,when will this happen? 28th November?

[@EdEddnEddyonline1]

Comet ISON has a orbital period of 10 million years

[@laurabignami2321]

I hope it will be visible :( i've never seen a comet before, and if this is visible i'll be very happy! Let's wait:)

[@b0ilerboy]

I would be more concerned about a potential CME that could be created by Ison's gravitational effect on the sun.

[@dakotaakin]

beautifull ISON comin to see Papa 11.12.2013.

[@Carlito0220]

This will be awesome :) hope i be able to see it

[@lanceanz]

Let's hope that we in the Southern Hemisphere get a bit of a show too.

[@edoardoitalia4125]

November 28th 2013 Can't wait for it... just hope that it's not going to fizzle.

[@rickyhou4249]

I always hope I'd see a comet, and now this might be the chance!

[@tonyb8363]

what are the companions following ison in these images?.

[@imawsome1000000]

Around November 2013....some people think that it may come around December. But we just don't know. Well we do......but I don't.

[@mateosabazi1]

Can you explain something with this Comet is approaching land can ndolli end of humanity or the so called end of the world or is just a Comet passes together please tell me

[@jeffcantrill8241]

I remember Hallie's Comet that last for around a week and I thought then I would never see another in my life time. I hope I was wrong!!

[@williamroberson1147]

I'm really looking forward to an awesome meteor shower and a late summer similar to this one north of I-80 which I blame on 2 things. The meteor that exploded over Russia and the Alaskan Volcano. I don't accept the statement that all the particle in the tail are micron sized. As for something you didn't know. Asteroid 2010 GA6 was near close approach, A volcano in Iceland saw a major eruption, and a meteor over the Midwest were in conjunction April 14, 2010. In that order 5 hours apart.

[@1036Ganymede]

Is Oort cloud is still hypothesis thing..?? or It's really Exist..? plz somebody tell me

[@QwertyuiopThePie]

Oh, as for the first part: watch?v=SwPo_BF2VSY. Note that this guy is a professional astronomer, with a doctorate, which is considerably more experience than some time watching "UFO TV".

[@lightsidemaster]

Please ISON survive the sun and show us your beauty...

[@Taipans]

I have a 5" reflector as well, are you going to be hunting tonight?

[@QwertyuiopThePie]

A tiny comet like that? Fat chance. It'll be on the opposite side at any rate.

[@ConsideringQuiet]

When is it going to pass

[@reveaglestar]

I'm just waiting for the "Dooms day crazies" to start saying the Mayans were one year off, and this comet is our doom.

[@mysteriouswolven]

Lol the narrator sounds just like Kirby Morrow, famous cartoon voice actor.

[@Thebighen]

That's what I was wondering...

[@johnkart8910]

What could happen (Which I wont like) Is that it will sizzle and become smaller and less of an eyegraber

[@frasercain]

No, it's going to be very far from Earth, but we should be able to see an amazing view if the comet flares up after it passes the Sun. We'll know later this year.

[@jmslazarus]

Comets don't shoot by in a small amount of time, they last for weeks. What you saw was probably a meteor.

[@theGoogol]

Very likely. 2) Since "the past" might be a very arbitrary concept; Very likely.

[@moja8474]

if it gets visible it will be for a few months, so don't worry about clouds.

[@blockthisuser]

The comet wont fizzle or sizzle it will shizzle

[@imawsome1000000]

Like the video said. Comets are unpredictable.

[@StimPakTskAwwYea]

How is that related to the point I made? I'm pretty sure you don't know the difference between a quark, lepton, and boson but I didn't bring that up so... I don't know what kind of point you are trying to make lol.

[@Vern3666]

Ort cloud really exists. There was never any question about it.

[@Skyywatcher88]

The comet ISON appears to have three smaller followers

[@Dendynugrohoo]

thanks! can i see ISON on asia?

[@Amethyysst]

I hope I'm able to see it!!!!!

[@Neueregel]

The recent facts dictate billions of existing planets. But any living beings beyond Earth are only purely speculative, based on the Drake equation, which has many yet unquantifiable factors.

[@darrenongorchid]

so the lower hemisphere will not see it at all? (someone pls reply)

[@Weiszcracker]

What if it explodes like Comet 17P/Holmes?

[@saturnia22]

You're right, I was wondering which almighty group will take themselves out of the gene pool with this one

[@panicandfoblvr]

I *think* I saw Halle Bop in 1997, but I was 5 so I don't really remember if I did or not.

[@MarksRealPL57]

Do you think they are really dirty snowballs?

[@camellset]

All comets are not and I repeat not dirty snowballs... eg Lovejoy flew through the sun atmosphere and survived... A very unusual makeup of "ice" don't you think?... please.

[@MrExcellinkus]

"All kids of shit!" Quote of the century fer sher.

[@estebansanti]

You're waaay optimistic. 2/3 in the best scenario.

[@cielty]

Wow what is the comet is the star or meteor

[@ElGatoLoco698]

Alright, it's time. Where is this thing? I don't see it anywhere.

[@SeaChange327]

you will still need binoculars for at least another week. southeast sky about 4am, before the sun comes up and outshines it. you can see it with the naked eye, it just looks like a star though, for now.

[@memos640]

28 November or 26 December. Just wait (:

[@ElGatoLoco698]

This thing is a week away from perihelion. If it's going to do what many astronomers say, it should be visible to the naked eye. It should be as bright as Venus. And Venus being the third brightest object in the sky is impossible to miss.

[@1036Ganymede]

Ok thankz dude..

[@laurabignami2321]

@OPexists: yeah, I've heard it will be visible in November and only in January its magnitude will decrease:) I don't know the exact day but if everything goes well, on the 28th it will be surely visible:)

[@ArayStrak]

If the sun can change trajectory and if it's so unpredictable, why won't it pose a threat?

[@kwood1112]

I gotta' say, I love it when the scientists claim flat out "will" and "will nots" as if they have the power to predict with 100% accuracy what will happen with this, or any other celestial body. I am not saying that that anything will happen, I am just saying it takes a significant amount of arrogance to make such claims with surety.

[@hawaiiguykailua6928]

Also where is the Radio and Swan views of this comet? I guess the public isn't allowed in on that part of the equation. At least we know the wormwood facility in NW Oz has become the epicenter of Astro science beginning this past May. Thats a lot of scientists and military for 1 comet that you don't want us to observe while it passes Mar's in September, wonder why?

[@T0R0YD]

Sorry, I mixed your message with that one of reiben91b ... so my answer makes no sense for you. I will delete, sorry.

[@beverding]

"dirty snowball"

[@СветланаСушкевич-ш7к]

Большое спасибо!!!