Best Comet in a Century

Comet Kohoutek
Credit: NASA Johnson Space Center (NASA-JSC)

Russian astronomers have discovered a new comet that has the potential to be the brightest comet in a century or more. Comet C/2012 S1 was discovered on September 21, and will make its closest approach to Earth in December 2013. It could be brighter than the full moon, visible even in the day time.

Of course, I have learned to be skeptical of optimistic predictions about new comets. I remember the hype associated with Comet Kohoutek back in 1973. Kohoutek was supposed to be the comet of the century, but it turned out to be quite a dud. It has been speculated that the comet may have had a higher rocky content than expected, or it may have been partially broken up in its close approach to the sun, prior to its closest approach to Earth. I remember hiking out into a nearby conservation area with my Dad and brother to get away from city lights. While we came close to frostbite, we never saw Kohoutek. I headed out for dark skies again in 1986 to catch a glimpse of Haley's Comet, possibly the most famous comet in history. While I did see the comet, its appearance was less than spectacular.

The surprise appearances of Comet Hale Bopp in 1995 and Comet Hyakuatki in 1996 restored my faith in comets. Hale Bopp was particularly spectacular, visible even in the seriously light polluted skies in my front yard, for several weeks.

Only time will tell. Comet C/2012 S1 could turn out to be a rocky flop like Kohoutek. Also, the comet's projected orbit takes it perilously close to the sun, so it may break up before it makes its closest approach to Earth. So I'm not going to get to excited just yet. Nah! Who am I kidding? I'm excited!