Is it just me, or are the stargazing spectaculars we are told to look out for in the sky often a huge disappointment?
We are currently being informed of our chance to see Comet ISON lighting up the skies during December.
The comet, which actually has its own website, is being billed as the Comet of the Century.
The website tells us we should be able to see ISON with the naked eye from between the middle of November to the middle of January. It states: “From November 28, if it survives the close brush with the Sun, we should be in for a real treat as Comet ISON emerges tail first to be viewable in both the evening and morning skies.”
By Christmas it is expected to be high in the sky and visible all night long, although maybe not quite as bright.
I have spent many hours staring up at the skies over the years trying to catch a glimpse of various extravaganzas in space – only to see either nothing or a tiny dot of white light that just looks like another star. Maybe I’m just not a very good astronomer, too impatient or just expecting too much, who knows.
The only phenomenon that had me truly amazed was a partial solar eclipse in 1996 (if my memory serves me correct). I remember standing on the roof of my work building in Scotland with colleagues and being quite impressed as we witnessed the Moon passing over the Sun.
I’m sure I will still find myself standing out in the garden at some unearthly hour trying not to miss out on this latest space sensation.
Happy stargazing.
http://www.cometison2013.co.uk/