EMN
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 24
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he 2-day state level workshop on Astronomy and Comet ISON conducted by the Department of Science & Technology in association with Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi and Paschimbanga Vigyan Mancha concluded on November 22 at Kohima.
Manash Sharma, resource person from Guwahati Planetarious gave an amazing night sky view experience to the participants, where one can see the moons of the planet Jupiter, the constellations, the craters of the moon etc. through a telescope.Braving the cold winter night the participants and even children came to watch the telescope viewing session.
The workshop was attended by science teachers from all over the state. Expert resource persons led by Dr Arvind Ranade, scientist from Vigyan Prasar addressed the workshop. Resource materials in the form of booklets and CDs were given to all the participants.
Comet ISON: A brief forecast
Meanwhile, Kevitso Kenneth, Science Officer, Department of Science & Technology, Kohima in a press note said ‘Comet ISON’ will continue to brighten throughout November as it nears its late November perihelion (closest point to our sun).
Meantion may be made here that, comet expert John Bortle wrote on June 13 that he expects the comet to reach visibility to the unaided eye about three weeks before the November 28 perihelion date. If all goes well, and the comet doesn’t fragment, the terrific heating Comet ISON will undergo when it’s closest to our parent star might turn the comet into a very bright object. It may also form a long comet tail around this time.
December 2013, this is likely to be the best month to see Comet ISON, assuming it has survived its close pass near the sun intact. The comet will be visible both in the evening sky after sunset and in the morning sky before sunrise.
Comet ISON will also be still visible to the eye in January 2014. On January 8, 2014, the comet will lie only 2 degrees from Polaris- the North Star. And here’s something else that’s fun. On January 14-15, 2014, after the comet itself has passed but when Earth is sweeping near the comet’’s orbit, it might produce a meteor shower, or at least some beautiful night-shining or noctilucent clouds. Log on to www.eyesoncometison.in for more details.
