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{{short description|Oort cloud comet}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox comet
| image=[[File:Comet ISON (C-2012 S1) by TRAPPIST on 2013-11-15.jpg|275px]]
| caption=Comet ISON as captured by [[TRAPPIST]] on 15 November 2013
| name=C/2012 S1 (ISON)
| discoverer=[[Vitaly Nevsky|V. Nevsky]] [[Artyom Novichonok|A. Novichonok]] {{small|(at ISON-Kislovodsk [[List of observatory codes#D00-D99|D00]])}}<ref name="Remanzacco"/>
| discovery_date=21 September 2012
| epoch=14 December 2013 ([[Julian day|JD]] 2456640.5)<ref name="MPEC2013-W16"/>
| observation_arc=2.15 years
| obs=6682
| orbit=[[Oort cloud]]
| perihelion=0.01244 [[Astronomical unit|AU]] (q)<ref name="MPEC2013-W16"/>
| eccentricity=1.000000086 (epoch 1950)<ref name="barycenter"/> 0.9999947 (near perihelion)<ref name="MPEC2013-W16"/> 1.0002 (epoch 2050)<ref name="barycenter"/>
| period=[[Hyperbolic trajectory|Ejection trajectory]] (epoch 2050)<ref name="barycenter"/>
| inclination=62.4°<ref name="MPEC2013-W16"/>
| last_p=28 November 2013<ref name="MPEC2013-W16"/>
| max_speed={{convert|337.3|km/s|mph|abbr=on}}<ref name="perihelion-kms"/>
}}

'''Comet ISON''', formally known as '''C/2012 S1''', was a [[sungrazing comet]] from the [[Oort cloud]] which was discovered on 21 September 2012 by [[Vitaly Nevsky]] (Віталь Неўскі, [[Vitebsk]], [[Belarus]]) and [[Artyom Novichonok]] (Артём Новичонок, [[Kondopoga]], [[Russia]]).<ref name="Trigo-Rodriguez2013"/>

==History==
The discovery was made using the {{convert|0.4|m|in|adj=on|sp=us}} [[reflecting telescope|reflector]] of the [[International Scientific Optical Network]] (ISON) near [[Kislovodsk]], Russia.<ref name="Remanzacco"/> Data processing was carried out by automated asteroid-discovery program CoLiTec.<ref name="NAS20121012"/> [[Precovery]] images by the [[Mount Lemmon Survey]] from 28 December 2011 and by [[Pan-STARRS]] from 28 January 2012 were quickly located.<ref name="MPEC2012-S63"/>

Follow-up observations were made on 22 September 2012 by a team from [[Remanzacco]] Observatory in Italy using the [[iTelescope]] network.<ref name="Remanzacco"/><ref name="universetoday1"/> The discovery was announced by the [[Minor Planet Center]] on 24 September.<ref name="MPEC2012-S63"/>

Observations by [[Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission|Swift]] in January 2013 suggested that Comet ISON's [[comet nucleus|nucleus]] was around {{convert|5|km|0|sp=us}} in diameter.<ref name="Swift"/> Later estimates were that the nucleus was only about {{convert|2|km|0|sp=us}} in diameter.<ref name="slate131121"/> [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]] (MRO) observations suggested the nucleus was smaller than {{convert|0.5|mi|1|order=flip|sp=us}} in diameter.<ref name="NASA131210"/>

Shortly after Comet ISON's discovery, the media reported that it might become brighter than the [[full Moon]]. However, as events transpired, it never became bright enough to be readily visible to the naked eye. Furthermore, it broke apart as it passed close to the [[Sun]]. Reports on 28 November 2013 (the day of [[perihelion]] passage)<ref name="CIOC131128"/><ref name="sky&tel131128"/> indicated that Comet ISON had partially or completely disintegrated due to the Sun's heat and [[tidal force]]s. However, later that day CIOC (NASA '''C'''omet '''I'''SON '''O'''bserving '''C'''ampaign) members discovered a [[Coma (cometary)|coma]]-like feature, suggesting a small fragment of it may have survived perihelion.<ref name="CIOC131128"/><ref name="sky&tel131128"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/SungrazerComets/status/406252924705071104 |title=Alright we're calling it... |work=Twitter.com |first=Karl |last=Battams |date=28 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="slate131129"/><ref name="NYT-20131129">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/30/science/space/comet-presumed-dead-shows-new-life.html |title=Comet ISON, Presumed Dead, Shows New Life |work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |date=29 November 2013 |access-date=29 November 2013}}</ref>

On 29 November 2013, the coma dimmed to an [[apparent magnitude]] of 5.<ref name="CIOC131129"/> By the end of 30 November 2013, the coma had further faded to below naked-eye visibility at magnitude 7.<ref name=Battams131130/> On 1 December 2013, the coma continued to fade even further as it finished traversing the [[Solar and Heliospheric Observatory]]'s view.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/comet-isons-leftovers-fade-away-right-satellites-eyes-f2D11674277 |title=Comet ISON's leftovers fade away, right before a satellite's eyes |work=NBC News |first=Alan |last=Boyle |date=30 November 2013 |access-date=9 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="CIOC131130"/> On 2 December 2013, the CIOC announced that Comet ISON had fully disintegrated.<ref name="CIOC131202"/><ref name="nasa20131202"/> The [[Hubble Space Telescope]] failed to detect fragments of ISON on 18 December 2013.<ref name="HST131221"/>

On 8 May 2014, a detailed examination of the disintegration was published, suggesting that the comet had fully disintegrated hours before perihelion.<ref name="ARXIV-20140508" />

==Discovery==
During routine observations on 21 November 2012, Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok monitored areas of [[Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]] and [[Cancer (constellation)|Cancer]] after their observations were delayed by clouded weather for much of the night. The team used ISON's {{convert|0.4|m|in|adj=on|sp=us}} [[reflecting telescope|reflector]] near [[Kislovodsk]], Russia, and [[CCD imaging]] to carry out their observations. Shortly after their session, Nevski processed data using CoLiTec, an automated asteroid discovery [[software]] program. In analysis he noted an unusually bright object with slow apparent movement, indicating a position outside the orbit of [[Jupiter]] based on the use of four 100-second CCD&nbsp;exposures.<ref name=Cometography>{{cite web |url=http://cometography.com/lcomets/2012s1.html |title=C/2012 S1 (ISON) |work=Cometography.com |first=Gary W. |last=Kronk |access-date=12 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928015657/http://cometography.com/lcomets/2012s1.html |archive-date=28 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=CSA-ISON-About /> At the time of discovery, the object's [[apparent magnitude]] ranged from 19.1 to as bright as 18.8.<ref group=lower-alpha name="magnitude">Astronomical magnitudes decrease as brightness increases, from large positive values, through zero, to negative values for very bright objects.</ref><ref name=Telegram3258>{{cite web |url=http://www.csc.eps.harvard.edu/2012S1/cbet003238.txt |title=Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) |work=Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams |department=Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams |publisher=International Astronomical Union |date=24 September 2012 |id=Electronic Telegram No. 3258}}</ref>

The group reported their discovery to the [[Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams]] as an asteroidal object, which was subsequently forwarded to the [[Minor Planet Center]]. However, the group later reported that the object had a cometary appearance with a [[coma (cometary)|coma]] approximately 8&nbsp;[[minute of arc|arcseconds]] across.<ref name=CSA-ISON-About>{{cite web |url=http://www.csc.eps.harvard.edu/2012S1/ |title=Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) |work=Cometary Science Archive |publisher=Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams, International Astronomical Union |access-date=12 December 2013}}</ref> The object's position and cometary appearance was confirmed by several other unaffiliated observers, and as such the comet was named ''ISON'', after the international observational project and in accordance with [[International Astronomical Union]] naming guidelines.<ref name=Cometography /><ref name=CSA-ISON-About /> Comet ISON was [[precovery|precovered]] in analysis of [[Mount Lemmon Observatory]] imagery by [[Gareth V. Williams]] and [[Pan-STARRS]] imagery in [[Haleakalā]]. Precovery images from Mount Lemmon were first taken on 28 December 2011 and indicated that the comet had an estimated apparent magnitude ranging from 19.5 to 19.9. Images from Pan-STARRS were taken on 28 January 2012 and in those images the comet had an estimated apparent magnitude ranging from 19.8 to 20.6.<ref name=Cometography />

==Orbit==
Comet ISON came to [[Apsis|perihelion]] (closest approach to the Sun) on 28 November 2013 at a distance of {{convert|0.0124|AU|km mi|abbr=on|lk=on}} from the center point of the Sun.<ref name="MPEC2013-W16"/> Accounting for the [[solar radius]] of {{convert|695500|km|mi|abbr=on}}, Comet ISON passed approximately {{convert|1165000|km|mi|abbr=on}} above the Sun's surface.<ref name="Guardian20131013" /> Its trajectory appeared to be [[Hyperbolic trajectory|hyperbolic]], which suggested that it was a dynamically new comet that took millions of years coming freshly from the [[Oort cloud]]<ref name="astronomynow1"/><ref name="newscientist1"/> or even a candidate interstellar comet.<ref name=hyperbolics>{{cite journal |title=Where the Solar system meets the solar neighbourhood: patterns in the distribution of radiants of observed hyperbolic minor bodies |journal=Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Letters |last1=de la Fuente Marcos |first1=Carlos |last2=de la Fuente Marcos |first2=Raúl |last3=Aarseth |first3=Sverre J. |display-authors=1 |volume=476 |issue=1 |pages=L1–L5 |date=6 February 2018 |arxiv=1802.00778 |bibcode=2018MNRAS.476L...1D |doi=10.1093/mnrasl/sly019}}</ref><ref group=lower-alpha>C/2012 S1 (ISON) had an epoch 1600 barycentric semi-major axis of [https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons_batch.cgi?batch=1&COMMAND=%272012+S1%27&TABLE_TYPE=%27ELEMENTS%27&START_TIME=%271600-01-01%27&STOP_TIME=%272400-01-01%27&STEP_SIZE=%27900%20years%27&CENTER=%27@0%27&OUT_UNITS=%27AU-D%27 −145127] and would have an inbound v_infinite of 0.2 km/s at 50000 au: ''v''=42.1219{{radic |1/''(distance of 50000)'' − 0.5/''(semi-major axis of −145127)''}}</ref> Near perihelion, generic heliocentric [[two-body problem|two-body solution]]s to the [[orbital eccentricity]] suggested that the comet could be either bound or unbound to the Sun.<ref name="slate1"/> But for objects at such high eccentricity, the Solar System's [[barycenter]] is more stable than a heliocentric solution.<ref name="Kaib2009"/> The orbit of a long-period comet is properly obtained when the [[osculating orbit]] is computed at an [[Epoch (astronomy)|epoch]] after leaving the planetary region and is calculated with respect to the [[barycenter|center of mass of the Solar System]]. [[JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System|JPL Horizons]] barycentric orbital elements for epoch 1950 and 2050 both generate a hyperbolic solution with no orbital period.<ref name="barycenter"/> Using an epoch of 1950, the inbound weakly hyperbolic eccentricity of 1.000000086 suggests ISON is of solar origin.<ref name="barycenter"/> On its closest approach, Comet ISON passed about {{convert|0.07248|AU|km mi|abbr=on|lk=off}} from Mars on 1 October 2013, and the remnants of Comet ISON passed about {{convert|0.43|AU|e6km e6mi|abbr=unit|lk=off}} from Earth on 26 December 2013.<ref name="jpl-close"/>

Shortly after its discovery, similarities between the [[orbital elements]] of Comet ISON and the [[Great Comet of 1680]] led to speculation that there might be a connection between them.<ref name="GC1680"/> Further observations of ISON, however, showed that the two comets are not related.<ref name="Kirch"/>

When Earth passed near the orbit of Comet ISON on 14–15 January 2014, it was predicted that micron-sized dust particles blown by the Sun's radiation might cause a [[meteor shower]] or [[noctilucent cloud]]s;<ref name="astrobob20121019" /><ref name="Wiegert"/> however, both events were considered unlikely. Because Earth only passed near Comet ISON's orbit, not through the tail, the chances that a meteor shower would occur were slim.<ref name="sekharandasher2013"/> In addition, meteor showers from long-period comets that make just one pass into the inner solar system are very rare, if ever recorded.<ref name="nightskyfaq2"/> The possibility that small particles left behind on the orbital path—almost one hundred days after the nucleus has passed—could form noctilucent clouds is also slim. No such events are known to have taken place in the past under similar circumstances.<ref name="nightskyfaq2"/>

{{multiple image |align=center |direction=horizontal |total_width=625
 |image1=Orbit comet 2012 S1 ISON.png |caption1=Position of comet remnants on 11 December 2013
 |image2=Comet ISON Approaches Perihelion.ogv |caption2=Visualization of the orbit of comet ISON as it moved into the inner Solar System in 2013
}}
{{Clear}}

==Brightness, observations, and visibility==
[[File:HubbleSite-C2012S1-20130410.jpg|thumb|Comet ISON, imaged by the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] on 10 April 2013—near Jupiter's orbit;<ref name="spacetel20130424"/> also, enhanced (coma model ratio) version]]

===Discovery while entering inner Solar System===
At the time of its discovery, Comet ISON's brightness was approximately [[apparent magnitude]]&nbsp;18.8, far too dim to be seen with the [[naked eye]], but bright enough to be imaged by amateurs with large telescopes.<ref name="space1"/><ref name="astronomy1"/> It then followed the pattern of most comets and increased gradually in brightness on approach to the Sun.

At least a dozen spacecraft imaged Comet ISON.<ref name="nasa20131202"/> It was first imaged by the Swift and [[Deep Impact (spacecraft)|Deep Impact]] spacecraft in January and February 2013, and shown to be active with an extended tail. In April and May 2013 the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] (HST) measured Comet ISON's size, and the color, extent, and polarization of its emitted dust. The [[Spitzer Space Telescope]] (SST) observed Comet ISON on 13 June and estimated [[carbon dioxide]] outgassing at about {{convert|1|e6kg|e6lb|1|abbr=off}} per day.<ref name="spitzer"/> From 5 June to 29 August 2013, Comet ISON had an [[Elongation (astronomy)|elongation]] less than 30° from the Sun.<ref name="MPC"/> No obvious rotational variability was detected by either Deep Impact, HST, or Spitzer. [[Amateur astronomer]] Bruce Gary recovered it on 12 August 2013 when it was 6° above the [[horizon]] and 19° from the Sun.<ref name="Gary"/> Due to it brightening more slowly than predicted, Comet ISON only became visible through small telescopes during early October 2013.<ref name="universetoday130923"/>

===Lead-up to perihelion===
On 28 September 2013, NASA launched [[BRRISON]], a stratospheric science balloon carrying a {{convert|0.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} telescope and science instruments designed to capture images and data on Comet ISON from an altitude of {{nowrap|{{convert|37|km|mi|abbr=on}}.}} However, about two and a half hours after launch, the telescope returned to its stowed position too quickly, driving it past a stow latch. Operators were unable to redeploy the telescope, resulting in mission failure.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/profile.cfm?MCode=BRRISON |title=BRRISON |work=NASA Solar System Exploration |date=29 September 2013 |access-date=28 January 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Comet ISON tracks through the constellations Gemini, Cancer and Leo as it falls toward the sun.jpg|thumb|The path of Comet ISON from December 2012 through October 2013 as it passed through [[Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]], [[Cancer (constellation)|Cancer]], and [[Leo (constellation)|Leo]]]]

On 1 October 2013, Comet ISON passed within {{convert|0.07|AU|e6km e6mi|abbr=unit|lk=off}} of Mars. Between 29 September and 2 October, the [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]] (MRO) detected Comet ISON.<ref name="MRO"/> The twin [[STEREO]] spacecraft began detecting Comet ISON in the second week of October.<ref name="STEREO"/> October 2013 images of Comet ISON displayed a greenish tint, probably attributable to the release of [[cyanogen]] and [[diatomic carbon]].<ref name="ut Why Green"/> On 31 October 2013, Comet ISON was detected with 10×50&nbsp;mm [[binoculars]].<ref name="Gonzalez131031"/>

On 14 November 2013, Comet ISON was reported to be visible to the naked eye by experienced observers located at dark sites.<ref name="sky&tel131114"/> It had an appearance similar to comet [[C/2013 R1]] that was also visible to the naked eye. Comet ISON was not expected to reach the naked-eye magnitude&nbsp;6 until mid-November,<ref name="MPC"/><ref name="sky&tel-2013-06"/> and was not expected to be observable by the general public until it brightened to about magnitude&nbsp;4.<ref name="universetoday130923"/> On 17–18 November, when Comet ISON was brighter and much closer to the morning [[twilight]], it passed the bright star [[Spica]] in the constellation [[Virgo (constellation)|Virgo]].<ref name="UT131115"/> But due to the [[full Moon]] and glow of twilight, Comet ISON had not become bright enough to be seen without optical aid by the general public. On 22 November, it started to drop below Mercury in the bright twilight.<ref name="astrobob131111"/>

===Perihelion===
[[Solar and Heliospheric Observatory|SOHO]] started to view it on 27 November, first with the [[Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph|LASCO]] coronograph.<ref name="STEREO"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://soho.esac.esa.int//data/realtime/sps/lasco/c3/2013/11/20131127_1606_c3_512.jpg |title=LASCO image dated 27 November 16:08 |work=ESA.int |date=27 November 2013 |access-date=27 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202224005/http://soho.esac.esa.int//data/realtime/sps/lasco/c3/2013/11/20131127_1606_c3_512.jpg |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 27 November ISON brightened to magnitude&nbsp;−2 and passed [[Delta Scorpii]].<ref group=lower-alpha name="magnitude"/><ref name="CIOC131127"/><ref name="Musgrave131128"/>

Around the time it reached [[perihelion]] on 28 November 2013, it might have become extremely bright if it had remained fully intact. However, predicting the brightness of a comet is difficult, especially one that passes so close to the Sun and is affected by the [[forward scatter]]ing of light. Originally, media sources predicted that it might become brighter than the full Moon,<ref name="astronomynow1"/><ref name="newscientist1"/> but based on more recent observations, it was only expected to reach around [[apparent magnitude]]&nbsp;−3 to −5, about the same brightness as [[Venus]].<ref name="sky&tel-2013-06"/><ref name="CIOC"/> In comparison, the brightest comet since 1935 was [[Comet Ikeya–Seki]] in 1965 at [[apparent magnitude|magnitude]]&nbsp;−10, which was much brighter than Venus.<ref name="brightest" />

[[File:ISON-Cor2B-20131129 012400.png|thumb|left|[[STEREO|STEREO-B]] COR2 image of Comet ISON re-emerging ~7&nbsp;hours after [[Apsis|perihelion]]]]
On 29 November 2013, Comet ISON had dimmed to magnitude&nbsp;5 in the LASCO images.<ref name="CIOC131129"/> By the end of 30 November 2013, it had further faded below naked-eye visibility at magnitude&nbsp;7.<ref name=Battams131130>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/SungrazerComets/status/406940937919533056 |title=If #ISON had a nucleus&nbsp;... |work=Twitter.com |first=Karl |last=Battams |date=30 November 2013}}</ref>

===After perihelion===
In a February 2013 study, 1,897&nbsp;observations were used to create a [[light curve]]. The resulting plot showed Comet ISON increasing its brightness relatively quickly at R{{sup|+4.35}}.{{Fix|date=March 2013|text=Unit?}}<ref name="Ferrin2013" /> If this had continued to perihelion, it would have reached magnitude&nbsp;−17 – brighter than the full Moon. It had since exhibited a "slowdown event", however, similar to behavior exhibited by other [[Oort cloud]] comets, among them [[C/2011 L4]]. Therefore, Comet ISON's brightness increased less quickly than expected and it did not become as bright as some early predictions.

Further observations suggested that, even if it had remained intact, it might only brighten to about magnitude&nbsp;−6.<ref name="CIOC" /> The temperature at perihelion had been calculated to reach {{convert|2700|C|F}} – sufficient to melt iron. Additionally, it passed within its [[Roche limit]], meaning it might disintegrate due to the Sun's gravity.

Comet ISON had been expected to be brightest around the time it was closest to the Sun, if it could have been seen; but because it was less than 1° from the Sun at its closest, it would have been difficult to see against the Sun's glare.<ref name="sky&tel"/> If it had survived its perihelion passage intact, Comet ISON should have been well-placed for observers in the northern hemisphere during mid to late December 2013.<ref name="Dickinson" /> It might even have remained visible to the naked eye until January 2014.<ref name="astronomynow1"/><ref name="astronomy1"/> As Comet ISON moved north on the celestial sphere it would have passed within 2° of [[Polaris]] on 8 January.<ref name="astronomy1" />

==Science results==
On 22 May 2014, the [[Eurasian Astronomical Society]] and [[Sternberg Astronomical Institute]] published preliminary results of observations of the observed meteor shower of Comet ISON from January 2014. Scientists from Ukraine and Belarus were assisted by meteor observation groups around the world. The results confirmed that particles of Comet ISON, which likely [[sublimation (phase transition)|sublimated]] at perihelion, entered Earth's atmosphere as meteor particles. 43 meteor events were recorded after analyzing 54,000 images from 10–17 January 2014.<ref name="Golubaev2014">{{cite journal |url=http://comet.sai.msu.ru/~gmr/AC/AC1611.pdf |title=Preliminary Results of the Observations of a Meteor Shower of Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) in January 2014 |journal=Astronomicheskii Tsirkulyar |first1=A. V. |last1=Golubaev |first2=I. S. |last2=Bryukhanov |first3=A. |last3=Tabolich |first4=V. |last4=Tabolich |first5=D. |last5=Akulich |first6=A. |last6=Kulakovskaya |first7=V. A. |last7=Mechinsky |first8=I. M. |last8=Sergey |display-authors=1 |volume=1611 |pages=1–4 |date=May 2014 |bibcode=2014ATsir1611....1G}}</ref>

On 11 August 2014, astronomers released studies, using the [[Atacama Large Millimeter Array]] (ALMA) for the first time, that detailed the distribution of [[Hydrogen cyanide|{{chem2|HCN}}]], [[Hydrogen isocyanide|{{chem2|HNC}}]], [[Formaldehyde|{{chem2|H2CO}}]], and [[dust]] inside the [[Coma (cometary)|comae]] of comets [[C/2012 F6 (Lemmon)]] and C/2012 S1 (ISON).<ref name="NASA-20140811">{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/press/2014/august/goddard/nasa-s-3-d-study-of-comets-reveals-chemical-factory-at-work |title=NASA's 3-D Study of Comets Reveals Chemical Factory at Work |publisher=NASA |first1=Elizabeth |last1=Zubritsky |first2=Nancy |last2=Neal-Jones |name-list-style=amp |date=11 August 2014 |access-date=12 August 2014 |id=Release 14-038}}</ref><ref name="AJL-20140811">{{cite journal |title=Mapping the Release of Volatiles in the Inner Comae of Comets C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) and C/2012 S1 (ISON) Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array |journal=[[The Astrophysical Journal Letters]] |first1=M. A. |last1=Cordiner |first2=A. J. |last2=Remijan |first3=J. |last3=Boissier |first4=S. N. |last4=Milam |first5=M. J. |last5=Mumma |first6=S. B. |last6=Charnley |first7=L. |last7=Paganini |first8=G. |last8=Villanueva |first9=D. |last9=Bockelée-Morvan |first10=Y.-J. |last10=Kuan |first11=Y.-L. |last11=Chuang |first12=D. C. |last12=Lis |first13=N. |last13=Biver |first14=J. |last14=Crovisier |first15=D. |last15=Minniti |first16=I. M. |last16=Coulson |year=2014 |display-authors=1 |volume=792 |issue=1 |at=L2 |doi=10.1088/2041-8205/792/1/L2 |bibcode=2014ApJ...792L...2C |arxiv=1408.2458|s2cid=26277035 }}</ref>

==Name==
[[File:Comet ISON Oct 08 2013.jpg|thumb|Comet ISON seen from the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter on 8 October 2013, as it passes through the constellation of Leo]]
{{details|Naming of comets}}
Comet ISON's [[Comet#Nomenclature|formal designation]] was C/2012 S1.<ref group=lower-alpha>The "C" indicates that it was non-periodic, followed by the year of discovery. The "S" represents the half-month of discovery – in the case of C/2012 S1, the second half of September – and the number "1" shows that this was the first comet found in that half-month.</ref><ref name="nightskyfaq"/> It was named "ISON" after the organization where its discovery was made, the Russia-based [[International Scientific Optical Network]]. The initial report of the object to the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams identified the object as an asteroid, and it was listed on the [[Near-Earth Object Confirmation Page]]. Follow-up observations by independent teams were the first to report cometary features. Therefore, under the International Astronomical Union's comet-naming guidelines, Comet ISON was named after the team that discovered it, rather than the individual discoverers.<ref name="HUCSA2012" />

==Media coverage==
After it was discovered in 2012, some media sources called Comet ISON the "Comet of the Century" and speculated that it might outshine the full Moon.<ref name="NYT-20131127">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/27/us/comet-nears-sun-offering-planetary-clues.html |title=Comet Nears Sun, Offering Planetary Clues |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Kenneth |last=Chang |date=27 November 2013 |access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref> An ''Astronomy Now'' columnist wrote in September 2012 that "if predictions hold true then Comet ISON will certainly be one of the greatest comets in human history."<ref name=astronomynow1 />

Astronomer Karl Battams criticized the media's suggestion that Comet ISON would be "brighter than the full Moon", saying that members of the Comet ISON Observing Campaign did not foresee ISON becoming that bright.<ref name="unitoday20130730"/>

Comet ISON has been compared to [[Comet Kohoutek]], seen in 1973–1974, another highly anticipated Oort Cloud comet that peaked early and fizzled out.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-comets-backstory06-20131205,0,5507364.story |title=Back Story: Comet Kohoutek was another flameout |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |first=Frederick N. |last=Rasmussen |date=5 December 2013 |access-date=3 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107044806/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-comets-backstory06-20131205-story.html |archive-date=7 November 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/outthere/2014/01/05/10-lessons-comet-century |title=10 Lessons from the "Comet of the Century" |work=[[Discover (magazine)|Discover]] |first=Cory S. |last=Powell |date=5 January 2014 |access-date=3 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107071529/http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/outthere/2014/01/05/10-lessons-comet-century/ |archive-date=7 January 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist|1}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="Remanzacco">{{cite web |url=http://remanzacco.blogspot.it/2012/09/new-comet-c2012-s1-ison.html |title=New Comet: C/2012 S1 (ISON) |publisher=[[Associazione Friulana di Astronomia e Meteorologia]] |first1=Ernesto |last1=Guido |first2=Giovanni |last2=Sostero |first3=Nick |last3=Howes |display-authors=1 |date=24 September 2012 |access-date=24 September 2012}}</ref>

<ref name="MPEC2013-W16">{{cite web |url=http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13W16.html |title=MPEC 2013-W16 : COMET C/2012 S1 (ISON) |publisher=IAU Minor Planet Center |date=26 November 2013 |access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="barycenter">{{cite web
 | author=[[JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System|Horizons]] output
 | url=https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons_batch.cgi?batch=1&COMMAND=%272012+S1%27&TABLE_TYPE=%27ELEMENTS%27&START_TIME=%271950-01-01%27&STOP_TIME=%272050-01-01%27&STEP_SIZE=%27100%20years%27&CENTER=%27@0%27&OUT_UNITS=%27AU-D%27
 | title=Barycentric Osculating Orbital Elements for Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) }} Solution using the Solar System [[Barycenter]]. Ephemeris Type:Elements and Center:@0 (To be outside planetary region, inbound epoch 1950 and outbound epoch 2050. With <math>e>1</math> both inbound and outbound, it has no orbital period)</ref>

<ref name="perihelion-kms">{{cite web
 |title=Horizons Batch for 2013-Nov-28 perihelion velocity
 |publisher=[[JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System|JPL Horizons]]
 |url=https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons_batch.cgi?batch=1&COMMAND=%272012+S1%27&START_TIME=%272013-11-28%2018:30%27&STOP_TIME=%272013-11-28%2019:00%27&STEP_SIZE=%271%20min%27&QUANTITIES=%2719,20,22,39%27
 |accessdate=2023-01-22}}</ref>

<ref name="Kaib2009">{{cite journal |title={{mp|2006 SQ|372}}: A Likely Long-Period Comet from the Inner Oort Cloud |journal=[[The Astrophysical Journal]] |first1=Nathan A. |last1=Kaib |first2=Andrew C. |last2=Becker |first3=R. Lynne |last3=Jones |first4=Andrew W. |last4=Puckett |first5=Dmitry |last5=Bizyaev |first6=Benjamin |last6=Dilday |first7=Joshua A. |last7=Frieman |first8=Daniel J. |last8=Oravetz |first9=Kaike |last9=Pan |first10=Thomas |last10=Quinn |first11=Donald P. |last11=Schneider |first12=Shannon |last12=Watters |display-authors=1 |volume=695 |issue=1 |pages=268–275 |year=2009 |doi=10.1088/0004-637X/695/1/268 |arxiv=0901.1690 |bibcode=2009ApJ...695..268K|s2cid=16987581 }}</ref>

<ref name="Trigo-Rodriguez2013">{{cite conference |url=http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2013/pdf/1576.pdf |title=Post-discovery Photometric Follow-up of Sungrazing Comet C/2012 S1 ISON |conference=44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. 18–22 March 2013. The Woodlands, Texas |first1=J. M. |last1=Trigo-Rodríguez |first2=K. J. |last2=Meech |first3=D. |last3=Rodriguez |first4=A. |last4=Sánchez |first5=J. |last5=Lacruz |first6=T. E. |last6=Riesen |display-authors=1 |year=2013 |id=#1576}}</ref>

<ref name="NAS20121012">{{cite web |url=http://www.neoastrosoft.com/open-the-great-comet-comet-c2012-s1-ison_en/ |title=Open the Great Comet Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) |work=Neoastrasoft.com |date=12 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104005736/http://www.neoastrosoft.com/open-the-great-comet-comet-c2012-s1-ison_en/ |access-date=4 November 2016|archive-date=4 November 2016 }}</ref>

<ref name="MPEC2012-S63">{{cite web |url=http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K12/K12S63.html |title=MPEC 2012-S63: Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) |publisher=IAU Minor Planet Center |date=24 September 2012 |access-date=24 September 2012 |id=CK12S010}}</ref>

<ref name="universetoday1">{{cite news |url=http://www.universetoday.com/97561/new-sun-skirting-comet-could-provide-dazzling-display-in-2013/ |title=New 'Sun-Skirting' Comet Could Provide Dazzling Display in 2013 |work=Universe Today |first=Nancy |last=Atkinson |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012}}</ref>

<ref name="Swift">{{cite news |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/swift/bursts/ison.html |title=NASA's Swift Sizes Up Comet ISON |work=NASA.gov |first=Francis |last=Reddy |date=29 March 2013 |access-date=23 April 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="Guardian20131013">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/oct/13/starwatch-comet-ison |title=Starwatch: The brightening of ISON |work=[[The Guardian]] |first=Alan |last=Pickup |date=13 October 2013 |access-date=16 October 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="astronomynow1">{{cite news |url=http://www.astronomynow.com/news/n1209/25comet/ |title=New comet might blaze brighter than the full Moon |work=Astronomy Now |first=Peter |last=Grego |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927162734/http://www.astronomynow.com/news/n1209/25comet/ |archive-date=27 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="newscientist1">{{cite web |url=https://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2012/09/newly-spotted-comet-may-outshi.html |title=Newly spotted comet may outshine the full moon |work=[[New Scientist]] |first=Jeff |last=Hecht |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926195309/https://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2012/09/newly-spotted-comet-may-outshi.html |archive-date=26 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="slate1">{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/11/25/comet_ison_pictures_and_info.html |title=Is Comet ISON Heading for Interstellar Space? |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |first=Phil |last=Plait |date=25 November 2013 |access-date=25 November 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="jpl-close">{{cite web |url=https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?des=2012%20S1 |title=JPL Close-Approach Data: C/2012 S1 (ISON) |work=NASA.gov |date=27 September 2021 |access-date=25 November 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="GC1680">{{cite mailing list |url=http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/comets-ml/message/19851 |title=Re: C/2012 S1 (ISON), Some Further Thoughts |mailing-list=comets-ml |publisher=Yahoo! Groups |first=J. |last=Bortle |date=24 September 2012 |access-date=5 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928043835/http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/comets-ml/message/19851 |archive-date=28 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Kirch">{{cite web |url=http://www.isoncampaign.org/potw-jul22 |title=Let History Be Our Guide? |work=Comet ISON Observing Campaign |date=22 July 2013 |access-date=2 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206050812/http://www.isoncampaign.org/potw-jul22 |archive-date=6 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="astrobob20121019">{{cite web |url=http://astrobob.areavoices.com/2012/10/19/wassup-with-comets-hergenrother-l4-panstarrs-and-s1-ison/ |title=Wassup with comets Hergenrother, L4 PanSTARRS and S1 ISON |work=Astro Bob |publisher=Areavoices.com |first=Bob |last=King |date=19 October 2012 |access-date=1 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208111554/http://astrobob.areavoices.com/2012/10/19/wassup-with-comets-hergenrother-l4-panstarrs-and-s1-ison/ |archive-date=8 February 2013 }}</ref>

<ref name="Wiegert">{{cite news |url=https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/19apr_isonids/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921134439/https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/19apr_isonids/ |archive-date=21 September 2013 |title=Comet ISON Meteor Shower |work=NASA.gov |first=Tony |last=Phillips |date=19 April 2013 |access-date=23 April 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="sekharandasher2013">{{cite journal |url=http://star.arm.ac.uk/preprints/2013/643.pdf |title=Meteor showers on Earth from sungrazing comets |journal=[[Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society]] |first1=A. |last1=Sekhar |first2=D. J. |last2=Asher |name-list-style=amp |volume=437 |issue=1 |pages=L71–L75 |date=January 2014 |arxiv=1310.3171 |bibcode=2014MNRAS.437L..71S |doi=10.1093/mnrasl/slt143 |access-date=12 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202125710/http://star.arm.ac.uk/preprints/2013/643.pdf |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="nightskyfaq2">{{cite web |url=http://www.nightskyinfo.com/ison/#11 |title=Comet ISON – Latest Updates, FAQ and Viewing Guide |work=Nightskyinfo.com |access-date=22 July 2013 }}</ref>

<ref name="space1">{{cite news |url=http://www.space.com/17762-newfound-comet-dazzling-2013-display-c2012s1.html |title=Newfound Comet Could Look Spectacular in 2013 |work=Space.com |first=Joe |last=Rao |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012}}</ref>

<ref name="astronomy1">{{cite news |url=http://www.astronomy.com/News-Observing/News/2012/09/New%20comet%20will%20light%20up%20the%20sky.aspx |title=Comet ISON will light up the sky |work=[[Astronomy (magazine)|Astronomy]] |first=Michael E. |last=Bakich |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |archive-date=13 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513162032/http://www.astronomy.com/News-Observing/News/2012/09/New |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="spitzer">{{cite web |url=http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/display.cfm?News_ID=44429 |title=NASA's Spitzer Observes Gas Emission From Comet ISON |work=NASA |date=23 July 2013 |access-date=1 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804082307/http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/display.cfm?News_ID=44429 |archive-date=4 August 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="MPC">{{cite web |url=http://scully.cfa.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/returnprepeph.cgi?d=c&o=CK12S010 |title=Elements and Ephemeris for C/2012 S1 (ISON) |publisher=IAU Minor Planet Center |access-date=23 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505100404/http://scully.cfa.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/returnprepeph.cgi?d=c&o=CK12S010 |archive-date=5 May 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Gary">{{cite web |url=http://brucegary.net/ISON/#2013.08.12_Recovery_Observation |title=Comet ISON Observations by an Amateur Observer: Recovery Observation |work=BruceGary.net |first=Bruce |last=Gary |date=12 August 2013 |access-date=4 October 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="universetoday130923">{{cite news |url=http://www.universetoday.com/104818/comet-ison-a-viewing-guide-from-now-to-perihelion |title=Comet ISON: A Viewing Guide from Now to Perihelion |work=Universe Today |first=David |last=Dickinson |date=23 September 2013 |access-date=4 October 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="MRO">{{cite web |url=http://www.uahirise.org/releases/ison.php |title=First HiRISE Images of Comet ISON |publisher=University of Arizona (HiRISE) |first1=Alan |last1=Delamere |first2=Alfred |last2=McEwen |name-list-style=amp |access-date=2 October 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="STEREO">{{cite web |url=http://stereo-ssc.nascom.nasa.gov/comet_ison/ |title=Anticipated STEREO observations of Comet ISON |publisher=NASA STEREO Science Center |date=27 February 2013 |access-date=28 April 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="ut Why Green">{{cite news |url=http://www.universetoday.com/105553/why-is-comet-ison-green/ |title=Why Is Comet ISON Green? |work=Universe Today |first=Nancy |last=Atkinson |date=24 October 2013 |access-date=31 October 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="Gonzalez131031">{{cite web |url=https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/CometObs/conversations/topics/5332 |title=C/2012 S1, C/2012 X1, C/2013 R1, 2P |publisher=Yahoo! Groups: Comet Observations |first=Juan José |last=González |date=31 October 2013 |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104060344/https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/CometObs/conversations/topics/5332 |archive-date=4 November 2013 }} [http://www.isoncampaign.org/Present-archive-Nov02 (just a few days ago we saw the first reports of ground-based observers being able to view ISON through binoculars)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219112811/http://www.isoncampaign.org/Present-archive-Nov02 |date=19 February 2014 }}</ref>

<ref name="sky&tel131114">{{cite news |url=http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/Comet-ISON-Comes-to-Life-231893451.html |title=Comet ISON Comes to Life! |work=[[Sky & Telescope]] |first=Tony |last=Flanders |date=14 November 2013 |access-date=14 November 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="sky&tel-2013-06">{{cite news |url=http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/Comet-ISON-Approaches-211408441.html |title=Comet ISON approaches |work=[[Sky & Telescope]] |first=John |last=Bortle |date=13 June 2013 |access-date=14 June 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616035141/http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/Comet-ISON-Approaches-211408441.html |archive-date=16 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="CIOC">{{cite web |url=http://sungrazer.nrl.navy.mil/index.php?p=ison_latest |title=ISON Updates from the CIOC |work=Sungrazing Comets |publisher=U.S. Navy |access-date=21 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112202508/http://sungrazer.nrl.navy.mil/index.php?p=ison_latest |archive-date=12 January 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="brightest">{{cite web |url=http://www.icq.eps.harvard.edu/brightest.html |title=Brightest comets seen since 1935 |publisher=International Comet Quarterly |access-date=28 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228014918/http://www.icq.eps.harvard.edu/brightest.html |archive-date=28 December 2011 }}</ref>

<ref name="spacetel20130424">{{cite news |url=http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/opo1314a/ |title=Hubble captures Comet ISON |work=SpaceTelescope.org |date=24 April 2013 |access-date=30 April 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="Ferrin2013">{{cite arXiv |title=Secular Light Curves of Comets C/2011 L4 Panstarrs and C/2012 S1 ISON Compared to 1P/Halley |eprint=1302.4621v1 |first=Ignacio |last=Ferrín |class=astro-ph |year=2013}}</ref>

<ref name="sky&tel">{{cite web |url=http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/A-Dream-Comet-Heading-Our-Way-171521041.html |title=A "Dream Comet" Heading Our Way? |work=[[Sky & Telescope]] |first=Kelly |last=Beatty |date=27 September 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930021723/http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/A-Dream-Comet-Heading-Our-Way-171521041.html |archive-date=30 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="Dickinson">{{cite news |url=http://o.canada.com/2012/09/25/will-we-have-a-christmas-comet-in-2013/ |title=Will we have a Christmas comet in 2013? |work=Canada.com |first=David |last=Dickinson |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=30 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226173810/http://o.canada.com/2012/09/25/will-we-have-a-christmas-comet-in-2013/ |archive-date=26 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="nightskyfaq">{{cite web |url=http://www.nightskyinfo.com/ison/#4 |title=Comet ISON – Latest Updates, FAQ and Viewing Guide |work=Nightskyinfo.com |access-date=18 June 2013 }}</ref>

<ref name="HUCSA2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.csc.eps.harvard.edu/2012S1/index.html |title=Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) |publisher=Harvard University Cometary Science Archive |year=2012 |access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="unitoday20130730">{{cite news |url=http://www.universetoday.com/103832/rumors-of-comet-ison-fizzling-may-be-greatly-exaggerated/ |title=Rumors of Comet ISON 'Fizzling' May be Greatly Exaggerated |work=Universe Today |first=Nancy |last=Atkinson |date=30 July 2013 |access-date=20 October 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="UT131115">{{cite news |url=http://www.universetoday.com/106465/whoa-take-a-look-at-comet-ison-now/ |title=Whoa. Take a Look at Comet ISON Now |work=Universe Today |first=Nancy |last=Atkinson |date=15 November 2013 |access-date=18 November 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="astrobob131111">{{cite web |url=http://astrobob.areavoices.com/2013/11/11/mercury-enters-early-morning-comet-traffic-jam/ |title=Mercury enters early morning comet traffic jam |work=Astro Bob |publisher=Areavoices.com |first=Bob |last=King |date=11 November 2013 |access-date=18 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115005045/http://astrobob.areavoices.com/2013/11/11/mercury-enters-early-morning-comet-traffic-jam/ |archive-date=15 November 2013 }}</ref>

<ref name="slate131121">{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/11/21/comet_ison_12_cool_facts.html |title=12 Cool Facts about Comet ISON |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |first=Phil |last=Plait |date=21 November 2013 |access-date=28 November 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="slate131129">{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/11/28/ison_update_for_22_00_utc_nov_28.html |title=ISON Update for 22:00 UTC Nov. 28 |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |first=Phil |last=Plait |date=28 November 2013 |access-date=28 November 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="CIOC131127">{{cite web |url=http://www.isoncampaign.org/karl/quick-update |title=Very quick update |publisher=CIOC |first=Karl |last=Battams |date=27 November 2013 |access-date=28 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205123148/http://www.isoncampaign.org/karl/quick-update |archive-date=5 February 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="CIOC131128">{{cite web |url=http://www.isoncampaign.org/karl/schroedingers-comet |title=Schrödinger's Comet |publisher=CIOC |first=Karl |last=Battams |date=28 November 2013 |access-date=28 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205123500/http://www.isoncampaign.org/karl/schroedingers-comet |archive-date=5 February 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="CIOC131129">{{cite web |url=http://www.isoncampaign.org/karl/a-trail-of-questions |title=In ISON's Wake, a Trail of Questions |publisher=CIOC |first=Karl |last=Battams |date=29 November 2013 |access-date=30 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205185357/http://www.isoncampaign.org/karl/a-trail-of-questions |archive-date=5 February 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="CIOC131130">{{cite web |url=http://www.isoncampaign.org/Present |title=comet ISON's current status |publisher=NASA Comet ISON Observing Campaign |date=30 November 2013 |access-date=1 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122190852/http://www.isoncampaign.org/Present |archive-date=22 January 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="CIOC131202">{{cite web |url=http://www.isoncampaign.org/karl/in-memoriam |title=In Memoriam |publisher=CIOC |first=Karl |last=Battams |date=2 December 2013 |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203133703/http://www.isoncampaign.org/karl/in-memoriam |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Musgrave131128">{{cite web |url=http://astroblogger.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/is-comet-c2012-s1-ison-on-track.html |title=Is Comet C/2012 S1 ISON on Track? |work=Astroblog |first=Ian |last=Musgrave |date=28 November 2013 |access-date=28 November 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="sky&tel131128">{{cite news |url=http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/Comet-ISON-Updates-193909261.html |title=Latest Updates on Comet ISON |work=[[Sky & Telescope]] |first=Alan |last=MacRobert |date=28 November 2013 |access-date=28 November 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131128202451/http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/Comet-ISON-Updates-193909261.html |archive-date=28 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="nasa20131202">{{cite news |url=http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/nasa-investigating-the-life-of-comet-ison/ |title=NASA Investigating the Life of Comet ISON |work=NASA.gov |first=Karen C. |last=Fox |date=2 December 2013 |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=30 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230221027/https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/nasa-investigating-the-life-of-comet-ison/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="NASA131210">{{cite news |url=http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/fire-vs-ice-the-science-of-ison-at-perihelion/ |title=Fire vs. Ice: The Science of ISON at Perihelion |work=NASA.gov |first=Karen C. |last=Fox |date=10 December 2013 |access-date=11 December 2013 |archive-date=17 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117162550/http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/fire-vs-ice-the-science-of-ison-at-perihelion/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="HST131221">{{cite news |url=http://hubblesite.org/hubble_discoveries/comet_ison/blogs/breaking-news-comet-ison-is-still-dead |title=BREAKING NEWS: Comet ISON Is Still Dead |work=Hubblesite.org |first=Zolt |last=Levay |date=20 December 2013 |access-date=21 December 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131221143118/http://hubblesite.org/hubble_discoveries/comet_ison/blogs/breaking-news-comet-ison-is-still-dead |archive-date=21 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="ARXIV-20140508">{{cite arXiv |title=Disintegration of Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) Shortly Before Perihelion: Evidence from Independent Data Sets |class=astro-ph.EP |eprint=1404.5968v4 |first1=Sekanina |last1=Zdenek |first2=Rainer |last2=Kracht |name-list-style=amp |year=2014 }}</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|C/2012 S1}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140205173404/http://www.isoncampaign.org/ ISONCampaign.org], the NASA Comet ISON Observing Campaign
*[http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/ison/indepth Comet ISON] at NASA Solar System Exploration
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.org/db_search/show_object?object_id=C%2F2012+S1 C/2012 S1 (ISON)] at the IAU [[Minor Planet Center]]
*[http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2012S1;orb=1;cad=1 C/2012 S1 (ISON)] at the JPL Small-Body Database Browser
*[http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2012S1/2012S1.html C/2012 S1 (ISON)] at Aerith.net
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120928015657/http://cometography.com/lcomets/2012s1.html C/2012 S1 (ISON)] at [[Gary W. Kronk|Cometography.com]]
*[http://stereo-ssc.nascom.nasa.gov/comet_ison/ "Anticipated STEREO observations of Comet ISON"] at NASA's STEREO Science Center
*[http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/timeline-of-comet-ison-s-dangerous-journey/ "A Timeline Of Comet ISON's Dangerous Journey"] at NASA.gov

=== Media ===
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140119205356/http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/display.cfm?Category=Planets&IM_ID=17505 Eyes on Comet ISON] at NASA Solar System Exploration
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_1HdOCOJ_Q ScienceCasts: Comet of the Century] by Science@NASA at YouTube.com ([https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/18jan_cometison/ story])
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv7x1H1b9MA NASA's Deep Impact Spacecraft Images Comet ISON] by JPL News at YouTube.com
*[http://twitpic.com/c5nncd Path of Comet ISON through the SOHO/LASCO fields of view] by Bill Thompson at Sungrazing Comets
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130520192645/http://www.astronomie.be/erik.bryssinck/c2012s1_20120924.html Time-lapse image of C/2012 S1 (ISON) and main-belt asteroid 4417 Lecar] by Erik Bryssinck at Astronomie.be

=== ''Minor Planet Electronic Circulars'' ===
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13W16.html MPEC 2013-W16] (2013 Nov 26 : 6120 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=0.9999947 q=0.0124439 includes nongravitational parameters)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13W13.html MPEC 2013-W13] (2013 Nov 25 : 5586 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000019 q=0.0124479)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13S75.html MPEC 2013-S75] (2013 Sep 30 : 4308 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000020 q=0.0124441)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13S08.html MPEC 2013-S08] (2013 Sep 16 : 3997 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000019 q=0.0124442)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13R59.html MPEC 2013-R59] (2013 Sep 6 : 3897 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000019 q=0.0124441)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13H38.html MPEC 2013-H38] (2013 Apr 23 : 3442 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000020 q=0.0124437)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13G31.html MPEC 2013-G31] (2013 Apr 9 : 3307 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000021 q=0.0124435)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13F47.html MPEC 2013-F47] (2013 Mar 25 : 3121 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000022 q=0.0124434)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13F20.html MPEC 2013-F20] (2013 Mar 18 : 3047 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000022 q=0.0124434)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13E40.html MPEC 2013-E40] (2013 Mar 9 : 2799 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000022 q=0.0124437)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13D50.html MPEC 2013-D50] (2013 Feb 23 : 2372 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000020 q=0.0124436)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13C52.html MPEC 2013-C52] (2013 Feb 12 : 1999 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000019 q=0.0124439)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K13/K13A85.html MPEC 2013-A85] (2013 Jan 14 : 1418 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000016 q=0.0124445)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K12/K12Y30.html MPEC 2012-Y30] (2012 Dec 26 : 1000 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000015 q=0.0124443)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K12/K12X53.html MPEC 2012-X53] (2012 Dec 11 : 812 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000014 q=0.0124453)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K12/K12W54.html MPEC 2012-W54] (2012 Nov 27 : 706 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000014 q=0.0124475)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K12/K12VA1.html MPEC 2012-V101] (2012 Nov 15 : 538 obs)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K12/K12UA9.html MPEC 2012-U109] (2012 Oct 26 : 418 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000013 q=0.0124484)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K12/K12T73.html MPEC 2012-T73] (2012 Oct 12 : 272 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000008 q=0.0124472)
*[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K12/K12T08.html MPEC 2012-T08] (2012 Oct 3 : 163 obs : Epoch 2013 Dec 14 e=1.0000013 : (1/a)_orig = +0.00005808, (1/a)_fut = +0.00000785)

{{DEFAULTSORT:ISON, 2012S1}}
[[Category:Astronomical objects discovered in 2012|20120921]]
[[Category:Discoveries by Artyom Novichonok|*]]
[[Category:Discoveries by Vitaly Nevsky|*]]
[[Category:Destroyed comets]]
[[Category:Near-Earth objects in 2013|*]]
[[Category:Sungrazing comets]]
[[Category:Comets in 2013]]
[[Category:Oort cloud]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]

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