[BAA Comets] Comet 2012 S1 (ISON)

[Shanklin, Jonathan D.]

Observations submitted in ICQ format since the recovery of the comet in early September show little change in total magnitude.  It is possible that the random errors are all conspiring to give the appearance of a flat light curve, but the odds of this being the case are shrinking.  It would be helpful if all imagers could reduce their observations using Roger Dymock's procedure to produce a total magnitude equivalent and submit them as soon as possible.  Visual observations are also encouraged.

Assuming normal behaviour (probably an incorrect assumption) the observations to date predict a peak magnitude about as bright as Jupiter.  The error bars are around 4 magnitudes.

Exactly how the comet will behave over the coming month is not clear, so go out and make observations!

Regards, Jonathan Shanklin
Director

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