What I've Learned

In the late fall of 1680, a light appeared in the sky. As the weeks went by, it grew brighter and brighter until it rivaled the full moon. It had a long tail that stretched across the sky, and could be seen during the day.

People were struck with terror. It was a sign. It was an omen. Surely, this marked the end of the world.

It didn't, of course. It was just an exceptionally bright comet. If you're curious what it looked like, search for 1680 comet online and you can find paintings of it.

This super shiny object paralyzed people with fear. Fortunately, people today are not so backward as to be terrorized by a bright comet.

Or are they.

I know individuals who, despite my attempts to convince them otherwise, are sure that the ancient Maya predicted the world will end on December 21 of this year. The Maya didn't. It won't. But all the brouhaha over this bit of nonsense makes me think we are not much more advanced then the folks of 1680. This could make December of 2013 – that's next December, not this one – a terror-inspiring time.

A comet is headed this way which could rival the 1680 event. It's on track for a close fly-by of the sun, as well as of the earth. It will come within 1.1 million miles of the surface of the sun, which is crazy close. As for the earth, it will only come within about 36,000,000 miles. Not close enough to be a danger, but plenty close to give us a great show.

It's called C/2012 S1 (ISON). The last part of its name stands for the International Scientific Optical Network, which specializes in near-Earth space surveillance. Because it was an ISON facility (in Russia) that discovered the comet, it is being referred to as Comet ISON.

Though much fuss is being made over Comet ISON, it could, of course, fizzle and put on no show at all. We have had comets that failed to live up to their hype before. Back in 1973, there was Comet Kohoutek. Predictions about the amazing brightness of this comet made the nut cases go, well, nuts.

People quit their jobs, moved to the country, and joined communes as they awaited the end of civilization that Kohoutek foreboded. When the comet made its swing around the sun, it partially disintegrated.

The result was that, though it was fairly bright as comets go and could be seen at night with the naked eye, Kohoutek wasn't nearly as bright as had been predicted. Civilization didn't end.

Scientist are giving Comet ISON a one in three chance of being spectacular. Them ain't bad odds.

When December 21, 2012 passes without incident, doomsayers will say that the Maya were off by a year and that Comet ISON will mark the end of everything.

For those who are disappointed when December 21 doesn't kill us and are reluctant to wait until December of 2013, there's hope.

Comet PANSTARRS (it was discovered using the Pan-STARRS telescope on the island of Maui) is expected to show up early in 2013.

In January and February, Comet PANSTARRS will be visible only from the southern hemisphere. Early in March, it will begin to swing northward, and by the middle of March, will start to be visible from the northern hemisphere. You may need binoculars to see it, or it may brighten enough to be seen without them.

In 2013, we will have an Easter comet and a Christmas comet. Or a Maya and a Maya, if you're the doom and gloom sort.