[meteorite-list] Comet ISON Observer's Workshop

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 23:25:45 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <201306230625.r5N6Pj0Z019241_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

https://dnnpro.outer.jhuapl.edu/isonworkshop/Home.aspx

Comet ISON Observer's Workshop
August 1-2, 2013
Laurel, Maryland

We announce the beginning of a new observing campaign to study comet
C/2012 S1 (ISON). This comet, first discovered on September 21, 2012 by
Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok of the International Scientific
Optical Network (ISON) near Kislovodsk, Russia. It is expected to be
brighter than C/1995 O1 Hale-Bopp was in the mid-1990's and has the
potential to be the brightest comet (or Great Comet) observed in the
last 50 years, if it survives its passage around the sun. The orbit of
the comet is being established and detailed orbital information can be
found at the JPL Horizons website. Trending optical lightcurves and
predictive sky charts can be found at Aerith.com

Although the expectations for the 2013/2014 apparition of comet ISON are
still developing, at this time measurements leading to increased
understanding of this dynamically new Oort cloud comet's orbit, its
nucleus size, density, strength, and rotation rate, its composition, its
coma and tail morphology, and its evolution over time as it passes
through the inner solar system are highly encouraged. The comet's
potential high rate of outgassing activity will facilitate sensitive
measurements of its molecular and isotopic abundances and temperatures;
and determination of how its production rates vary with heliocentric
distance. Measurements of rare and low abundance species and isotopic
ratios should be possible. The comet will also be extremely close to the
Sun by perihelion, flying within 1.7 Rsun of the solar surface, which
will provide an excellent opportunity to study Sun-comet interactions.

NASA is leading an effort to observe and study this comet, providing the
use of its available resources: Keck, IRTF, its fleet of currently
operating spacecraft, and the BRRISON balloon program. We encourage all
observing proposals to observe the comet using NASA facilities,
especially ones focusing on the comet's abundances, activity, and
evolution along its orbit, as well as those from observatories around
the world.

In order to facilitate the maximal observing of ISON, we will be holding
a 2- day pre-encounter workshop at JHU/APL on 1-2 August 2013. The
meeting's overarching goal is to maximize the scientific return from
ISON's 2013 apparition. Confirmed workshop speakers include Mike
A'Hearn, Tony Farnham, Jian-yang Li, Lori Feaga, Karel Schrijver, Mike
Mumma, and Diane Wooden, the CIOC team, and Lindley Johnson and Kelly
Fast of NASA HQ. All interested parties are welcome to attend and
discuss their observing plans and needs, and what is currently known
about the comet. There is no cost for attending this meeting, and a
light breakfast and afternoon snacks will be served. Pre-registration
using the Registration page is required for attendance. Nearby hotels
and restaurants are listed on the Lodging and Accommodations page.

We also plan on having a post-encounter workshop in the March - June
2014 timeframe.

For more information about observing opportunities for Comet ISON,
please visit the "CIOC and Comet ISON
<https://dnnpro.outer.jhuapl.edu/isonworkshop/CometISONandtheCIOC.aspx>"
page.
        
Received on Sun 23 Jun 2013 02:25:45 AM PDT