This image from the LASCO C3 Coronagraph on the SOHO satellite shows Comet ISON moving toward its encounter with the Sun. On Thursday Comet ISON will go through perihelion (the closest point of its orbit to the Sun) at about 1:45 pm ET (1845 UTC). During the next two days the comet will go very close to the Sun and make a 140° turn, almost reversing its direction and heading out into interstellar space. After several million years of heading in almost a straight line, it will change course in 2 days!
Join us for the SDO Comet ISON Perihelion Data Event tomorrow from 1 to 3:30 pm ET (1800-2030 UTC). There is also a Google+ hangout running during the perihelion passage.
Come out and watch a comet!
