The Mayan Apocalypse nutcases will pass out when they learn that two Russian astronomers have observe a new and mammoth comet coming in our direction — a Brobdingnagian two - naut mi extensive ball of ice and rock that “ may [ become ] one of the bright in history . ” The comet is now transcend by Saturn , gaining upper and becoming brighter by the day .
The silver surfer was discovered by Russian astronomer Artyom Novichonok and Vitali Nevski , of the International Scientific Optical connection near Kislovodsk , Russia . The sighting has been confirmed by other observatory and the International Astronomical Union . Scientist believe that , given the comet orbit , its origin may be the Oort Cloud , a ( theoretical ) spherical cloud of comet surrounding the solar system , located almost a light - year from the Sun .
Named 2012 S1 , the comet is following a interchangeable arena to that of the Great Comet of 1680 , which is considered one of the greatest sky shows in history . It could become so luminous that , scientists think , it may get brighter than the full moon .
But do n’t worry . Like every other recorded comet , this one is not going to kill us , bring the plague or announce the end of the world . In fact , it may defeat itself first .
grant to stargazer at the Remanzacco Observatory , Italy , 2012 S1 “ will get to within 0.012AU of the Sun at the ending of November 2013 and then to ~0.4AU from Earth at the start of January 2014 ! ” 0.012AU is only 1,115,469 Roman mile , which given the Sun ’s fiery nature , may be too close for the comet to survive .
If it does , however , then it will be only at 37 million miles from Earth . That ’s when the show will be the right .
How honorable ? It ’s hard to predict , but according to stargazer Raminder Singh Samra — of the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver , Canada—”if it lives up to expected value , this comet may be one of the brightest in chronicle . ” Samra says that , at this former point , the comet is “ outstandingly shiny . ”
Above : 2012 S1 zooming by Saturn .
Oh , and one last banknote to the Mayan death and end of the world - bargainer : the universe apologizes but , despite its name , 2012 S1 is actually arrive in 2013 vacation time of year . You would be able to see it with binoculars around August 2013 . By late October , it will be seeable to the defenseless centre .
But do n’t worry , I ’m sure you will be alert then to tell everyone how this comet is function to kill us all . [ Nature , New ScientistandWikipedia — Thanks Gonzalo ! ]
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