'Comet of the century' nears Earth

Fox News ^ | July 18, 2013 | Megan Gannon

[Sopater]

About 10,000 years ago, Comet ISON left our solar system's distant shell, a region known as the Oort cloud, and began streaking toward the sun. This November, the icy wanderer will reach the climax of its journey, potentially providing a stunning skywatching show here on Earth.

Comet ISON was discovered just last September by two Russian amateur astronomers. Scientists have since recognized ISON as a possible "comet of the century," but to live up to its promise, it will have to survive its dangerous perihelion, or closest approach to the sun.

ISON is what's known as a sungrazing comet. These suicidal objects have orbits that bring them within 850,000 miles of the sun, and scientists estimate that ISON's closest pass will be about 730,000 miles above the surface of Earth's star.

[GBA]

Comets are said to portend significant events for humanity.

What does this one supposedly bring?

[Sopater]

I saw a nice tail on Hale-Bopp. I was in Wyoming at the time.

[Sopater]

that’s the Hale-Bopp I remember seeing.

[Sopater]

Yes, but as I said, my point was how the article stated that ISON left the Oort cloud about 10,000 years ago as if it is a known fact when the Oort cloud isn’t even a known fact.

[Black Agnes]

Better Kahoutek than Hamner-Brown.

[steve86]

I may be confused about which comet that was. Went out for all of them.

[stormer]

Comet are said to portend significant events for humanity by superstitious morons whose understanding of the universe is limited by their incurious ignorance.

[Sopater]

Comets are said to portend significant events for humanity.

What does this one supposedly bring?

How in the world am I supposed to know? I just want to gawk and something cool in the sky.

[MrB]

Notice the matter-of-fact way they state that the comet came from the Oort cloud,

which is a HYPOTHETICAL “rescuing device” to explain the existence of short period comets in an “old” solar system.

Never been seen or measured, but it HAS to be there, given the assumption of billions of years.

[Sergio]

bookmark

[Sopater]

Notice the matter-of-fact way they state that the comet came from the Oort cloud, which is a HYPOTHETICAL “rescuing device” to explain the existence of short period comets in an “old” solar system. Never been seen or measured, but it HAS to be there, given the assumption of billions of years.

Oh, I noticed... hence my response of "allegedly". Both science and journalism have gone off the rails.

[LearnsFromMistakes]

Comet ISON was discovered just last September

It has to be the comet of the century - we have known about it for almost a year now!

[Frapster]

That makes sense. Thanks!

[RegulatorCountry]

oh woo is he who shall stand beneath the comet’s shadow

Woo?

Woot? Woohoo? Poo?

[chemicalman]

Hopefully it’s Obama’s band wagon, and all his followers will jump on and leave earth.

[Sopater]

Which are you, a creationist, evolutionist, or undecided?

[Mom MD]

Whats wrong with you??? I saw it in broad daylight just like they said we could. It was almost as bright as the sun and cast shadows at night. What rock were you living under???

(/s)

[Mom MD]

Ka who tek. Remember it well!

[Crusher138]

Better Kahoutek than Hamner-Brown.

I am just glad it wasn't thrown at us by elephant-like aliens...

[Loud Mime]

Hale-Bopp provided a lifetime event for me in Eastern Colorado. It was fantastic! Few Comets live up to their hype; HB outdid the press.