Clues from the Comet of the Century

Though it fell short as a visual spectacle, Comet ISON lived up to its billing as a scientific sensation.

By Corey S Powell
Jan 7, 2014 6:24 PMNov 12, 2019 4:47 AM
ISONAdamBlock_100813.jpg
Adam Block/Mount Lemmon Skycenter/University of Arizona

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Immediately after co-discovering Comet ISON the night of Sept. 21, 2012, Russian astronomer Vitali Nevski trumpeted it as a “comet of the century.” Although it initially fell short as visual spectacle, Comet ISON has fully lived up to its billing as a scientific sensation. 

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