[BAA-ebulletin 00775] Comet 2012 S1 (ISON)

[BAA electronic bulletins service]

It seems that the comet has survived its close encounter with the Sun, thus 
increasing the chances of there being something to see in the coming weeks. 
You will need to get up early as the comet is most likely to be seen between 
06:30 and 07:00 low in the east-south-east over the next few days, most likely 
from December 3 onwards.  Tomorrow morning is probably too soon, but you never 
know, particularly if the comet is brighter than expected.  For the next week 
you will need a clear horizon as well as clear skies as the comet is very low 
down.  It gets higher in the sky, but will fade, though the tail may become 
more prominent.  The best views might come around 06:00 between December 7 and 
14, and at the end of this period you might also see a few Geminid shooting 
stars.  By mid December it will be visible in the evening, and by Christmas it 
will be visible all night, though you may need binoculars to see it.   Sky & 
Telescope have some finder charts at 
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance

There is another comet visible from the UK, 2013 R1 (Lovejoy), which may be 
seen in binoculars as a fuzzy patch, about half the size of the Moon, roughly 
15 degrees west of the Plough near the top of Bootes.  It is at nearly the same 
altitude as the Plough at 18:00.  It continues to move west at two to three 
degrees per day.

Jonathan Shanklin
Director, Comet Section