Comet ISON could be best celestial show of 2013

CLEVELAND - I remember the remarkable sight that was Comet Hale-Bopp. Aside from causing some folks to dress in black and drink cyanide in their white tennis shoes, that was an experience you only get once in a lifetime! Or, maybe twice.

Another comet is fast approaching Earth and some scientists think this one could the "Comet of the Century" for Earth dwellers.

Comet ISON is currently near Jupiter. It is only a faint dot on John Chumack's telescope at his private observatory in Yellow Springs, Ohio. "(Its) currently in the constellation Gemini, moving between the heads of the twins Castor and Pollux,"

Chumuck thinks this small ball of ice could become a really big deal by late fall. "It is still pretty faint, near 16th magnitude, but don't be fooled by that. This could become one of the best comets in many years."

Comet ISON is headed for the sun. By late November of this year, it should be within 1.2 km of our nearest star. that interaction should create, according to SpaceWeather.com, an object as bright as the moon and visible to the naked eye in broad daylight.

Says SpaceWeather: "If the comet survives the encounter, it could emerge glowing as brightly as the Moon, visible near the sun in the blue daylight sky. The comet's dusty tail stretching into the night would create a worldwide sensation."

The Comet will make its closest approach to the sun on November 28th, 2013. By summer, researchers should know whether ISON has what it takes to make history. The experts are optimistic for a once in a lifetime show. But, they do admit, it could be a spectacular dud. We will keep you posted!