So, either this will be the comet of the century, or a total dud, or perhaps something in between.

Should start firing up towards the end of this month. Exactly how impressive the tail is will depend on the balance of volatiles etc etc so basically it is unknown, but we can expect it to be at least as bright as Venus.

Those of you in the north of Australia will get a better look than those in the south.

I remember lying on my back in the park across the road in Darwin. If I was really into flashbacks I’d head back up there.

>but we can expect it to be at least as bright as Venus.

Well that’ll make it the brightest comet I’ve seen for a long time.

Hopefully I’ll have my new telescope by then :)

At this rate it’ll be secondhand by the time you get it.

party_pants said:

Hopefully I’ll have my new telescope by then :)

It may not be so easy to see in the southern part of this great land.

dv said:

So, either this will be the comet of the century, or a total dud, or perhaps something in between.

Reminds me of Comet Kohoutek
“Before its close approach, Kohoutek was hyped by the media as the ‘comet of the century’. However, Kohoutek’s display was considered a let-down, possibly due to partial disintegration when the comet closely approached the Sun prior to its Earth flyby.”

I look forward to the abundance of comet threads :)

Comet McNaught in 2006 was spectacular and I hope ISON will also be of equal.

What does hoar frost mean? http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2013/11/01/3880970.htm

Divine Angel said:

What does hoar frost mean? http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2013/11/01/3880970.htm

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

roughbarked said:

Divine Angel said:

What does hoar frost mean? http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2013/11/01/3880970.htm

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

May also be known as rime according to American dictionaries.