In Memoriam Submitted by Karl Battams on Mon, 12/02/2013 - 08:32 Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) Born 4.5 Billion BC, Fragmented Nov 28, 2013 (age 4.5-billion yrs old) Born in a dusty and turbulent environment, comet ISON spent its early years being jostled and struck by siblings both large and small. Surviving a particularly violent first few million years, ISON retreated to the Oort Cloud, where it maintained a largely reclusive existence for nearly four billion years. But around 3-million B.C., a chance encounter with a passing star coerced ISON into undertaking a pioneering career as a Sungrazer. On September 21, 2012, ISON made itself known to us, and allowed us to catalog the most extraordinary part of its spectacular vocational calling. Never one to follow convention, ISON lived a dynamic and unpredictable life, alternating between periods of quiet reflection and violent outburst. However, its toughened exterior belied a complex and delicate inner working that only now we are just beginning to understand. In late 2013, Comet ISON demonstrated not only its true beauty but a surprising turn of speed as it reached its career defining moment in the inner solar system. Tragically, on November 28, 2013, ISON's tenacious ambition outweighed its ability, and our shining green candle in the solar wind began to burn out. Survived by approximately several trillion siblings, Comet ISON leaves behind an unprecedented legacy for astronomers, and the eternal gratitude of an enthralled global audience. In ISON's memory, donations are encouraged to your local astronomy club, observatory or charity that supports STEM and science outreach programs for children. This is how comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) wished to be remembered. [Image credit: Damian Peach] Source
I like how the memoriam for Ison is written. I remember seeing it on the news - something about it didn't make it around the sun (or something along those lines.)
Yes, I liked it too and that's why I decided to post it here as I hadn't given news of the comet either anyway. There are a couple or so of comets more in the vicinity of our solar system. I'll write a post about it as soon as I find the time for this.
Here is a parhelia or a sundog that took place yesterday in Moscow, Russia. That must really be an impressive sight to behold. Explanations here.
Yes, effectively ! I had read that the Sun was getting lazy lately. Nothing to worry about, I guess. Well, I expect that next winter, we'll have a few flakes more in my neck of the wood...
Rosetta comet-chasing spacecraft wakes up http://www.theguardian.com/science/...met-chasing-spacecraft-wakes-up-esa-live-blog
So if this flies over Australia, I might end up with some new pieces in my garden! http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/02/15/russian-reconnaissance-satellite-to-hit-earth-sunday/
No problem, I have a ruggedize umbrella ! If there are radioactive elements, you'll have free street lighting. You can follow the satellite here and here in real time ! It should have fallen down since about 10 mn now. It's late...
Impressive ! Real-time worldwide traffic for planes http://planefinder.net/ http://www.flightradar24.com http://www.radarvirtuel.com/ for ships http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/home
I am addicted already ! Argh ! lol I have downloaded the app for my phone (flightradar24) and am looking for the planes in the sky high above my head. It's incredibly precise. There is even an enhanced reality feature that shows where the planes are from your current location through the camera. The weather has been cloudy here lately but even so at night, I can hear the reactors roaring in the distance... I also have an app to spot the ISS. To the nearest second, I can spot it in the sky at night getting brighter and brighter and following its course among the stars. I wish I had binoculars or else so I can see it more clearly. I had a look at the website dedicated to ships and we even are able to see pictures of the ships selected and their course in the sea while fishing with nets. It's really impressive ! I would have had such apps when I was a teen, I would have been in the Nirvana...
Looks like Cosmos 1220 is going to stay a fortnight more in space. The sight must be so awesome up there that who would blame it for wanting to stay a few days more....?
Nasa Discovers 715 New Planets http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sc...discovers-715-new-planets-20140227-33j58.html
Tomorrow is the next reentry date for Cosmos 1220 !!! http://www.satview.org/spacejunk.php?sat_id=12054U Get your umbrellas ready !!!