CometISON
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The Comet ISON app will help you find and travel along with our space visitor
The comet ISON is currently barreling toward the sun with a close solar encounter due on November 28. It's currently visible in our morning skies, but will become a night-time sight in a few months if it survives the close approach to the sun. Comets are notoriously unreliable. When Halley's comet returned in 1986 it was pretty much a bust for visual observers. ISON could shine as brightly as the full moon, be a dim asterisk or something in between. That brings me to the the Comet ISON app (US$0.99). It's the nicest comet-finding app I've seen so far. It will help you locate ISON, then let you get aboard the comet for a 3D fly-through as it heads toward the sun and beyond. In addition to the beautifully rendered 3D views, there is ample information on the history of comets, with animations and other videos. The app also lets you share your view of the comet with others. If you are interested in Comet ISON, but want something free, check out the Comet Watch app, which I reviewed last month. Comet ISON is a very polished app at a reasonable price. It will make it easy for you to find the comet as it brightens. Animations are very smooth, and the app packs a lot of graphic power. Comet ISON is a universal app and requires iOS 7 or later. For more on Comet ISON you can check the Space.com website, and keep your fingers crossed that ISON turns out to be a stunner.
Find Comet ISON in the night sky with free Comet Watch app
Comet ISON has a split personality. Originally it was predicted by some astronomers that it might get bright enough to see during the day, but other astronomers have been saying it might not be spectacular and just run of the mill. Latest observations of the comet are encouraging for a good sky show. ISON is expected to be visible toward the end of November and into next year, and our friends behind the great astronomy app Distant Suns have come up with a free app to help you find ISON in your own local skies. Comet Watch uses augmented reality and the compass and gyro of your iDevice to help you orient yourself to where the comet is, and make it easy to find it using your naked eye or binoculars. The app is integrated with the NASA Night Sky Network (US only) to alert you to astronomy related talks and other events in your area, and the app also presents you with a sky view to show you a snapshot of the evening sky. ISON was discovered in September of last year. The comet is now visible in the early morning hours before dawn. It's closest to the Sun on November 28th, and then should be visible in our night sky for several months after. On December 26th, it is predicted to make its closest approach to earth, but it isn't a danger as it is expected to be about 40 million miles away. Comet Watch is a universal app and requires iOS 6 or later.
