Only mostly dead: Astronomers puzzle over zombie Comet ISON

Friday, November 29, 2013 - 13:30 in Astronomy & Space

Like the hero in "The Princess Bride," Comet ISON appears to be only mostly dead, raising a myriad of questions for scientists and skywatchers.

Read the whole article on MSNBC: Science

More sources from other sites

Death of a Comet: What We Learned from the Passing of ISON
from Scientific American
Fri, 13 Dec 2013, 12:30:05 UTC

Fire vs. ice: The science of ISON at perihelion
from Science Daily
Wed, 11 Dec 2013, 19:40:35 UTC
Fire vs. ice: The science of ISON at perihelion
from Physorg
Wed, 11 Dec 2013, 18:10:44 UTC
RIP Comet ISON: Scientists Declare Famous 'Sungrazer' Dead After Sun Encounter
from Live Science
Wed, 11 Dec 2013, 17:04:42 UTC
RIP Comet ISON: Scientists Declare Famous 'Sungrazer' Dead After Sun Encounter
from Space.com
Wed, 11 Dec 2013, 12:30:40 UTC
Comet ISON finally pronounced dead after close encounter with sun
from MSNBC: Science
Wed, 11 Dec 2013, 1:00:36 UTC
Comet ISON pronounced dead; Sun is chief suspect
from Physorg
Tue, 10 Dec 2013, 23:30:35 UTC
Comet ISON's demise a boon to science
from CBSNews - Science
Mon, 9 Dec 2013, 22:00:42 UTC
Looks like a comet but feels like an asteroid? That's wild!
from Physorg
Mon, 9 Dec 2013, 15:30:26 UTC
Japanese Astronaut Sees Comet ISON from Space | Video
from Space.com
Fri, 6 Dec 2013, 23:30:13 UTC
NASA begins search for what is left of Comet ISON
from Physorg
Thu, 5 Dec 2013, 23:00:58 UTC
Comet ISON's demise a boon to science
from CBSNews - Science
Thu, 5 Dec 2013, 20:00:14 UTC
What happened to comet ISON?
from Physorg
Thu, 5 Dec 2013, 15:31:02 UTC
What Happened to Comet ISON?
from Science @ NASA
Wed, 4 Dec 2013, 19:20:04 UTC
ISON appears to have broken up after brush with sun
from Sciencenews.org
Tue, 3 Dec 2013, 23:00:37 UTC
NASA investigating the life of Comet ISON
from Science Daily
Tue, 3 Dec 2013, 1:30:11 UTC
Fate of Comet ISON Uncertain After Fiery Sun Encounter
from Space.com
Tue, 3 Dec 2013, 0:30:15 UTC
No return from the dead for Comet ISON
from Reuters:Science
Tue, 3 Dec 2013, 0:10:03 UTC
NASA investigating the life of Comet ISON
from Physorg
Mon, 2 Dec 2013, 21:31:14 UTC
Comet ISON races toward Thanksgiving Day solar flyby
from CBSNews - Science
Mon, 2 Dec 2013, 21:31:00 UTC
Scientists baffled by new picures of Comet ISON
from CBSNews - Science
Mon, 2 Dec 2013, 21:30:54 UTC
ScienceShot: Comet ISON Survives Its Solar Gantlet
from Science NOW
Mon, 2 Dec 2013, 20:50:06 UTC
ScienceShot: First-Time Comet Perishes
from Science NOW
Mon, 2 Dec 2013, 20:50:03 UTC
Comet ISON's Ghost Seen By Two Spacecraft | Video
from Space.com
Mon, 2 Dec 2013, 16:30:15 UTC
Comet ISON's Ghost Seen By Two Spacecraft | Video
from Live Science
Mon, 2 Dec 2013, 16:30:12 UTC
The December night sky
from The Guardian - Science
Mon, 2 Dec 2013, 12:00:59 UTC
Comet, Thought Dead but Found Alive, Is Now Fading Away, Astronomers Say
from NY Times Science
Mon, 2 Dec 2013, 8:50:10 UTC
Comet ISON may have survived
from Science Daily
Mon, 2 Dec 2013, 0:00:11 UTC
The December night sky
from The Guardian - Science
Sun, 1 Dec 2013, 22:00:15 UTC
Scientists find signs Comet ISON may have survived flyby of the sun
from Physorg
Sun, 1 Dec 2013, 10:30:45 UTC
Comet ISON's leftovers fade away, right before a satellite's eyes
from MSNBC: Science
Sat, 30 Nov 2013, 19:00:15 UTC
Comet ISON, Presumed Dead, Shows New Life
from NY Times Science
Sat, 30 Nov 2013, 13:00:09 UTC
Comet ISON Survives Its Solar Gantlet
from Science NOW
Sat, 30 Nov 2013, 2:20:04 UTC
ISON's Dance with the Sun | Space Wallpaper
from Live Science
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 20:00:11 UTC
ISON's Dance with the Sun | Space Wallpaper
from Space.com
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 19:30:19 UTC
ISON seems to have survived close call with sun
from Sciencenews.org
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 19:20:04 UTC
Comet ISON Is Alive! Survives Sun Swing | Video
from Space.com
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 18:30:53 UTC
Comet ISON Gets Roasted by Sun and Vanishes, But Did It Survive?
from Live Science
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 17:30:36 UTC
Part of comet ISON likely survived after all
from CBC: Technology & Science
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 16:30:14 UTC
Comet ISON Gets Roasted by Sun and Vanishes, But Did It Survive?
from Space.com
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 15:30:40 UTC
Remnants suggest comet ISON still going
from News @ Nature
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 15:00:49 UTC
Comet Ison appears to survive close encounter with the sun
from The Guardian - Science
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 14:30:23 UTC
Comet Ison: a viewer's guide
from The Guardian - Science
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 14:00:31 UTC
Did Comet ISON survive? Scientists see tiny hope
from Physorg
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 12:30:24 UTC
Image: Comet ISON on Thanksgiving Day
from Physorg
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 12:00:23 UTC
Comet Ison appears to vanish from space - video
from The Guardian - Science
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 10:30:35 UTC
Comet Ison fragment may have survived journey past sun
from The Guardian - Science
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 10:00:27 UTC
Comet Ison 'continues to surprise'
from CBC: Technology & Science
Fri, 29 Nov 2013, 10:00:17 UTC
Sun-grazing comet ISON likely broke up
from Physorg
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 22:00:15 UTC
RIP Comet ISON - Icy Visitor Missing After Sun Flyby | Video
from Space.com
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 21:50:05 UTC
Comet ISON vanishes in a puff of mystery as it goes around the sun
from MSNBC: Science
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 20:50:07 UTC
Comet Ison likely didn't survive sun encounter
from CBC: Technology & Science
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 19:50:03 UTC
Comet Ison grazes past Sun's surface
from BBC News: Science & Nature
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 19:00:38 UTC
Comet ISON Still Alive As It Nears Thanksgiving Perihelion | Time-Lapse Video
from Space.com
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 18:20:20 UTC
Comet ISON'S Tail Starts To Bend On Thanksgiving Sun Approach | Video
from Space.com
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 15:20:16 UTC
Heat is on as Comet ISON races toward sun
from Physorg
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 15:00:29 UTC
Comet Ison's risky encounter with sun approaches
from CBC: Technology & Science
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 14:20:14 UTC
Comet ISON Makes Thanksgiving Day Sun Flyby Today: Watch It Live Online
from Space.com
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 12:50:20 UTC
Comet Ison: how to spot it | Stuart Clark
from The Guardian - Science
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 12:30:10 UTC
Heat is on as Comet ISON races toward sun
from AP Science
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 11:30:11 UTC
Comet Ison set for close encounter with the sun
from The Guardian - Science
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 10:30:15 UTC
Comet ISON arrives at perilous encounter
from LA Times - Science
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 8:20:22 UTC
Comet Ison to graze past the Sun
from BBC News: Science & Nature
Thu, 28 Nov 2013, 2:50:22 UTC
VIDEO: 'Epic' comet Ison approaching the Sun
from BBC News: Science & Nature
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 23:50:21 UTC
SOHO shows new images of Comet ISON
from Physorg
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 23:20:31 UTC
See Comet ISON Slingshot Around Sun: Live SOHO Spacecraft Views
from Space.com
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 23:20:14 UTC
Comet ISON brightens as it closes in on Thanksgiving's solar climax
from MSNBC: Science
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 22:20:18 UTC
SOHO shows new images of Comet ISON
from Science Daily
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 22:20:11 UTC
Comet ISON approaches sun for Thanksgiving flyby
from Sciencenews.org
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 21:20:26 UTC
All Eyes On Comet ISON
from C&EN
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 18:51:11 UTC
Comet may be visible from Earth if it survives sun's heat, gravity
from Reuters:Science
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 18:30:17 UTC
Will Comet Ison meet a fiery death tomorrow?
from CBC: Technology & Science
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 18:20:19 UTC
Will comet ISON survive its near brush with the Sun?
from Physorg
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 17:51:04 UTC
Still Intact Comet ISON Enters SOHO's Field Of View | Video
from Live Science
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 17:23:07 UTC
Comet ISON's Thursday Sun Encounter a Thanksgiving Feast for NASA
from Live Science
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 17:23:03 UTC
Still Intact Comet ISON Enters SOHO's Field Of View | Video
from Space.com
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 16:30:51 UTC
Comet ISON's Thursday Sun Encounter a Thanksgiving Feast for NASA
from Space.com
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 16:30:50 UTC
ISON vs the Sun
from European Space Agency
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 14:31:04 UTC
Comet ISON is in solar probe's sights — and a storm is coming!
from MSNBC: Science
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 4:00:36 UTC
Comet ISON Nears Sun for Thanksgiving Encounter in NASA Video
from Space.com
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 4:00:15 UTC
Could Incoming Comet ISON Lose Its Tail to a Thanksgiving Sun Storm?
from Space.com
Wed, 27 Nov 2013, 3:30:19 UTC
Comet dances with sun, death; giving mixed signals
from Physorg
Tue, 26 Nov 2013, 23:30:50 UTC
Comet Ison expected to be visible to the naked eye - video
from The Guardian - Science
Tue, 26 Nov 2013, 23:30:31 UTC
Will Comet ISON beat the odds? Watch a superstar's climactic scene
from MSNBC: Science
Tue, 26 Nov 2013, 22:30:30 UTC
Best Yet Comet ISON Footage From STEREO Released | Video
from Space.com
Tue, 26 Nov 2013, 22:30:25 UTC
Comet dances with sun, death; giving mixed signals
from AP Science
Tue, 26 Nov 2013, 21:30:23 UTC
A tale of two comets: MESSENGER captures images of Encke and ISON
from Physorg
Tue, 26 Nov 2013, 14:30:52 UTC
ISON vs the Sun
from European Space Agency
Tue, 26 Nov 2013, 14:30:18 UTC
Plenty of spacecraft tracking Comet ISON's encounter with sun
from MSNBC: Science
Tue, 26 Nov 2013, 1:00:34 UTC
Three Questions About Comet ISON
from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 22:20:21 UTC
See Comet Tails Flap In Solar Wind
from PopSci
Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 21:30:23 UTC
Comet ISON Spotted by Mercury Probe, Sun Observatory Ahead of Thursday Solar Encounter
from Space.com
Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 21:00:20 UTC
An observer's guide for watching Comet ISON's light show in the sky
from MSNBC: Science
Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 19:30:45 UTC
Where Can You Catch The Best Views of Comet ISON?
from Space.com
Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 19:30:39 UTC
5 Great Places To Observe Comet ISON
from Live Science
Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 19:30:20 UTC
Where Can You Catch The Best Views of Comet ISON?
from Live Science
Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 19:30:19 UTC
Last Chance to See Comet ISON Before Its Thursday Sun Encounter
from Space.com
Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 17:30:28 UTC
Comet ISON's Thanksgiving Day Sun Encounter: Complete Coverage
from Space.com
Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 17:00:31 UTC
Comet ISON to light up morning skies in the run-up to Christmas
from The Guardian - Science
Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 17:00:27 UTC
Can Comet ISON's Tail Survive Solar Storm? | Video
from Live Science
Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 16:30:27 UTC
Can Comet ISON's Tail Survive Solar Storm? | Video
from Space.com
Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 16:00:16 UTC
Comet ISON vs. the solar storm
from Physorg
Mon, 25 Nov 2013, 13:50:17 UTC
Comet ISON vs. the Solar Storm
from Science @ NASA
Sun, 24 Nov 2013, 17:40:05 UTC
Will icy comet survive close encounter with sun?
from AP Science
Sun, 24 Nov 2013, 16:00:24 UTC
Will icy comet survive close encounter with sun?
from AP Science
Sun, 24 Nov 2013, 16:00:23 UTC
Will icy comet survive close encounter with sun?
from Physorg
Sun, 24 Nov 2013, 16:00:19 UTC
Comet ISON's Close Sun Encounter This Week Has Scientists Fired Up
from Space.com
Sun, 24 Nov 2013, 15:30:22 UTC
NASA's solar observing fleet to watch Comet ISON's journey around the sun
from Science Daily
Sun, 24 Nov 2013, 2:00:20 UTC
Best Night Sky Photos of the Week: Nov. 23, 2013
from Space.com
Sat, 23 Nov 2013, 20:30:21 UTC
How Bright Will Comet ISON Get? Only Time Will Tell
from Space.com
Sat, 23 Nov 2013, 15:30:15 UTC
Comet ISON's Thanksgiving Sun Encounter: An Observer's Guide
from Space.com
Sat, 23 Nov 2013, 15:00:12 UTC
Skywatching photo guide: Here's how to capture Comet ISON
from MSNBC: Science
Sat, 23 Nov 2013, 1:30:46 UTC
Skywatchers excited as Comet ISON approaches its big day in the sun
from MSNBC: Science
Fri, 22 Nov 2013, 22:00:45 UTC
NASA's solar observing fleet to watch Comet ISON's journey around the Sun
from Physorg
Fri, 22 Nov 2013, 21:30:42 UTC
How to Photograph Comet ISON: A Skywatching Photo Guide
from Space.com
Fri, 22 Nov 2013, 20:00:30 UTC
How to Photograph Comet ISON: A Photo Guide (Gallery)
from Space.com
Fri, 22 Nov 2013, 19:00:32 UTC
Comets ISON and Enke Enter STEREO Probe Field of View | Video
from Space.com
Fri, 22 Nov 2013, 15:30:46 UTC
SOFIA's target of opportunity: Comet ISON
from Physorg
Fri, 22 Nov 2013, 12:30:21 UTC
Tails of Comet ISON and Comet Lovejoy Caught in Stunning Time-Lapse Video
from Space.com
Thu, 21 Nov 2013, 23:30:23 UTC
How The Sun Cooks Comets | Video
from Space.com
Thu, 21 Nov 2013, 20:00:29 UTC
NASA Sees Comet ISON 9 Days Before Close Sun Encounter
from Space.com
Thu, 21 Nov 2013, 16:30:27 UTC
ISON comet has lost individual fragments
from Physorg
Thu, 21 Nov 2013, 12:00:52 UTC
Promising Comet ISON Gets Brighter, But Will it Sizzle or Fizzle?
from Space.com
Wed, 20 Nov 2013, 21:31:17 UTC
Onward ISON | Space Wallpaper
from Space.com
Wed, 20 Nov 2013, 16:31:34 UTC
Comet ISON unfolds its wings
from Physorg
Tue, 19 Nov 2013, 23:30:26 UTC
Spectacular Comet ISON shines bright in new photo from Chile telescope
from CBSNews - Science
Tue, 19 Nov 2013, 21:00:18 UTC
Spectacular Comet ISON Shines Bright in New Photo from Chile Telescope
from Space.com
Tue, 19 Nov 2013, 13:30:13 UTC
Comet ISON looks fantastic in latest pictures — maybe too fantastic?
from MSNBC: Science
Tue, 19 Nov 2013, 1:20:16 UTC
6-Minute Rocket Launch Aims to See Promising Comet ISON Tuesday
from Space.com
Mon, 18 Nov 2013, 23:30:24 UTC
Stunning Comet ISON Photos Captured by Amateur Astronomer (Images)
from Space.com
Mon, 18 Nov 2013, 20:30:40 UTC
How to see Comet ISON: New app points the way
from CBSNews - Science
Mon, 18 Nov 2013, 19:30:16 UTC
MicroObservatory catches comet ISON
from Science Daily
Mon, 18 Nov 2013, 19:00:28 UTC
MicroObservatory catches comet ISON
from Physorg
Mon, 18 Nov 2013, 18:30:29 UTC
New app points the way to Comet ISON so you can find it in night sky
from MSNBC: Science
Fri, 15 Nov 2013, 22:31:14 UTC
Why you should see Comet Ison this weekend
from CBC: Technology & Science
Fri, 15 Nov 2013, 20:30:12 UTC
How to See Comet ISON: New App Points the Way
from Space.com
Fri, 15 Nov 2013, 15:00:18 UTC
Looking for the 'comet of the century'? Watch ISON online
from MSNBC: Science
Fri, 15 Nov 2013, 2:00:21 UTC
Comet Lovejoy getting brighter as it streaks near Earth
from MSNBC: Science
Thu, 14 Nov 2013, 21:30:48 UTC
Outburst lights up Comet ISON; it's now visible to naked eye
from MSNBC: Science
Thu, 14 Nov 2013, 20:31:05 UTC
Comet ISON's Growing Tails and Lovejoy's Coma Snapped By Photographer | Video
from Space.com
Thu, 14 Nov 2013, 19:30:29 UTC
Potentially Dazzling Comet ISON Now Visible to Naked Eye After Outburst
from Space.com
Thu, 14 Nov 2013, 19:30:27 UTC
Comet ISON: What's Next?
from Science @ NASA
Thu, 14 Nov 2013, 17:10:03 UTC
MESSENGER detects comets ISON and Encke, prepares for closer encounters
from Physorg
Thu, 14 Nov 2013, 16:30:42 UTC
Newfound Comet Lovejoy Gets Brighter as It Streaks Near Earth
from Space.com
Thu, 14 Nov 2013, 14:00:43 UTC
NRL-developed telescopes await the approaching comet ISON
from Physorg
Thu, 14 Nov 2013, 14:00:31 UTC
Comet ISON Headed for Close Sun Encounter on Thanksgiving
from Space.com
Thu, 14 Nov 2013, 13:30:24 UTC
Comet ISON Observing Tips: Choosing the Right Binoculars or Telescope
from Space.com
Wed, 13 Nov 2013, 13:30:44 UTC
'Old Faithful' Comet Encke coming back again this month
from MSNBC: Science
Tue, 12 Nov 2013, 23:00:21 UTC
'Old Faithful' Comet Encke Makes Appearance in November Night Sky
from Space.com
Tue, 12 Nov 2013, 15:30:36 UTC
Comet at dawn
from Physorg
Tue, 12 Nov 2013, 11:30:23 UTC
Incoming comet ISON heading for close encounter with sun
from Reuters:Science
Mon, 11 Nov 2013, 23:30:16 UTC
Got a good pair of binoculars? Incoming Comet ISON's visible now
from MSNBC: Science
Mon, 11 Nov 2013, 22:30:17 UTC
Incoming Comet ISON Now Visible in Binoculars
from Space.com
Mon, 11 Nov 2013, 20:00:39 UTC
Starwatch: Mercury and two comets before dawn
from The Guardian - Science
Sun, 10 Nov 2013, 22:00:22 UTC
Things are looking up for Comet ISON: It's brightening at last
from MSNBC: Science
Fri, 8 Nov 2013, 19:30:46 UTC
Promising Comet ISON Now Brightening for Stargazers on Earth
from Space.com
Fri, 8 Nov 2013, 13:00:19 UTC
NASA Sees Comet ISON in Leo Constellation (Photo)
from Space.com
Thu, 7 Nov 2013, 20:00:20 UTC
Comet ISON Soars Past Distant Galaxies in Spectacular Photo
from Space.com
Tue, 5 Nov 2013, 22:00:33 UTC
November's night skies full of must-see events
from MSNBC: Science
Tue, 5 Nov 2013, 20:30:43 UTC
Comets, Meteor Showers and Planets, Oh My! November's Must-See Night Sky Events
from Space.com
Mon, 4 Nov 2013, 23:00:30 UTC
Comet from the Oort Cloud Careens toward the Sun
from Scientific American
Mon, 4 Nov 2013, 14:30:30 UTC
How To See Comet ISON In November 2013 | Video
from Space.com
Sat, 2 Nov 2013, 4:00:43 UTC
Observers perplexed by Comet ISON's erratic performance
from MSNBC: Science
Fri, 1 Nov 2013, 18:00:43 UTC
Promising Comet ISON Gives Perplexing Performance En Route to Sun
from Space.com
Thu, 31 Oct 2013, 21:30:25 UTC

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Only mostly dead: Astronomers puzzle over zombie Comet ISON

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Only mostly dead: Astronomers puzzle over zombie Comet ISON

Read the whole article on MSNBC: Science

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