Just how bright the comet will become at that moment cannot yet be forecast reliably. In his 2013 Astronomical Calendar, Guy Ottewell writes: "Using what formulas we can for magnitude, we have it reaching -12.6, the brightness of the full moon!" [Gallery: Photos of 2012's 'Supermoon']
If this is correct, it might result in the view of a lifetime: A bright comet with a stubby silvery tail visible next to the sun in broad daylight, visible to the naked eye simply by screening the sun with an outstretched hand.
Ottewell imagines the comet as possibly resembling ". . . a lighted match at the sun’s edge." Only on nine other occasions dating back to the late 17th century has a comet become bright enough to be seen in the daytime.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/01/13/comet-2013-among-brightest-ever-seen/?intcmp=features#ixzz2Hrys1500
wow, a comet as bright as the moon. now thats amazing!
If this is correct, it might result in the view of a lifetime: A bright comet with a stubby silvery tail visible next to the sun in broad daylight, visible to the naked eye simply by screening the sun with an outstretched hand.
Ottewell imagines the comet as possibly resembling ". . . a lighted match at the sun’s edge." Only on nine other occasions dating back to the late 17th century has a comet become bright enough to be seen in the daytime.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/01/13/comet-2013-among-brightest-ever-seen/?intcmp=features#ixzz2Hrys1500
wow, a comet as bright as the moon. now thats amazing!