Pictured below is Comet ISON's transit across our sky two weeks ago. Comet ISON was discovered in September 2012 by Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok. This comet will be entering the inner solar system following its hyperbolic trajectory from the Oort Cloud, a spherical cloud of icy cosmic dust grains in the midst of planet formation (planetisimals). The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured the image below as Comet ISON made its closest approach to the planet. The comet itself isn't as bright as astronomers had previously predicted however the low brightness of the tail allows astronomers to observe the nucleus of the comet for more accurate research. As the comet approaches Earth, within the next week, it has the potential to become just as bright or even brighter than the moon, becoming the brightest object in the night sky. The comet will continue its approach into the inner solar system and ultimately pass within a few solar radii of the Sun's surface. If Comet ISON survives the trip near the sun (it reaches perihelion on November 29th) it will pass by the Earth at the nearest point some time in December 2013.
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