Comet ISON

Coming up later this year is a potentially bright comet.  This is Comet ISON, discovered in late 2012.  This is a sun-grazing comet, meaning that it will pass close to the Sun.  As it closes in on the Sun, the comet will flare up and become bright in the sky.  There's the possibility that the Sun's gravity will break this comet into pieces.  If that happens, it won't be nearly as bright.  If it stays together as one clump, we could be in store for a very bright, naked eye comet later this year.

The comet will begin to brighten into a naked eye object in October of this year and become its brightest at the end of November to early December.  For more information check out the following link.

Comet ISON

This article states that the comet could be as bright as Venus at its brightest in the sky.  That's pretty impressive.  Other sources, however, suggest that if conditions are perfect, in a best case scenario, the comet could be as bright as the full moon in the sky!  Now that's bright!

Mark this one on your calendar.  I'll post reminders to take a look at this comet later this year.  This is an excellent astronomy observing opportunity for you and your child(ren).  It's not often a bright naked eye comet is visible in the night sky.  Don't pass up this opportunity.