Bangalore: What was termed as the brightest comet of our times might have just got disintegrated. The astronomers, who were following it closely, even in Bangalore, now fear that it would have exploded before reaching the Sun.
Earlier there were fears that it would crash into the Sun, but later the astronomers’ hopes were raised and they were desperately waiting for its reappearance.
But overcast conditions over the city have made the matters worse and the astronomers are not sure whether it could be still seen on November 28 as expected earlier.
The comet ISON or Comet Nevski–Novichonok, was discovered on September 21, 2012 by Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok. Astronomers said that its appearance would have provided an immense opportunity to study the volatile, rich material from the epoch of planet formation.
It would have furthered the understanding of working of a comet and provided clues to the origin of the solar system. The astronomer community in Bangalore is shocked over the comet’s disappearance. But the Indian Institute of Astronomers (IIA) is waiting for Wednesday morning to confirm whether it has indeed disappeared.
Prof. Jayant from IIA said that many astronomers around the world were keenly following the comet. “We at IIA launched four balloons on Sunday morning to take pictures of the comet.
We were expecting the comet to be at its brightest on Thursday. Now, we have to wait till Wednesday morning to confirm whether the comet is still alive,” he said. IIA astronomers are still analysing the data and pictures received from the telescopes that were sent up by balloons.
The balloon along with the payload, successfully landed at Nandi Hills on Sunday afternoon.
