It's been a long wait, and many amateur astronomers have been biting their finger nails and hoping for some good news, but apparently comet ISON didn't survive its close pass by the sun on Thanksgiving Day.
As you can see in the video below, the comet dramatically brightened as it swung around the sun, but its brightness greatly diminished soon after. Astronomers now believe the comet fragmented during approach and most of it's ice was vaporized by the intense heat and radiation. Astronomers will continue to observe the remains of this amazing comet for as long as they can, but it will be extremely dim as it exits the solar system. Those of us hoping for a Great Comet will have to wait a while longer...
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