11/22/2013

ISON: The Comet of the Century . . . or Is It?

12:09 minutes

When astronomers spotted Comet ISON in 2012, some christened it the “Comet of the Century.” It initially failed to live up to the hype. But this month, ISON blazed brighter and sprouted several tails. Astronomers like Andrew Fraknoi are following the comet as it scrapes past the sun, where it could be destroyed—or emerge, even more spectacular than before.

Segment Guests

Andrew Fraknoi

Andrew Fraknoi is chair of the Astronomy Department at Foothill College in Los Altos, California.

Meet the Producer

About Christopher Intagliata

Christopher Intagliata was Science Friday’s senior producer. He once served as a prop in an optical illusion and speaks passable Ira Flatowese.