Comets have fascinated even terrified us for thousands of years For scientists though comets are a great opportunity This year 2013 a particularly massive chunk of ice and rock is coming our way an object that will fascinate billions and should create the space show of the century Right now Comet ISON somewhere between one and 10 kilometers in diameter is just beyond the orbit of Jupiter As it races past us toward the sun it should develop a tail that will light up the skies brighter than a full moon Then the comet will slingshot around the back of the sun and could emerge brighter than ever treating the entire northern hemisphere to an unforgettable sight In this program scientists all over the world follow a onceinalifetime event and shoot breathtaking images spewing its essence into the void But there is jeopardy too the comet could evaporate completely or the suns massive gravity could tear it apart
