In case you haven’t heard … Comet ISON has been in outburst the past several days. In other words, it has gotten brighter! Our friend Scott MacNeill posted this wonderful photo on EarthSky’s Google+ page.
Many are saying they are glimpsing Comet ISON with the eye alone as a fuzzy barely visible patch in dark skies. The Comet ISON Observing Campaign says:
For those with very dark skies, this now makes it a naked eye object, and even for those in urban environments it is readily visible as a fuzzy green blob about half an hour before sunrise in the southeastern skies.
The comet will be in a conspicuous place in the sky for the next several mornings, near the bright star Spica on the sky’s dome. The charts below might help you find it! Look southeast before dawn for Spica. Scan with binoculars near Spica for the comet.
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.
Like what you read? Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.