Comet C/2012 S1 was opened on 21 September 2012 by Amateur astronomers Vitaly Nevsky and Artyom Novichonok by 40-cm telescope reflector mounted on the Observatory project ISON (international Scientific Optical Network) near Kislovodsk. At the time of opening it had brightness 18m (magnitude describes the brightness of the object. Than magnitude smaller — the object brighter. The weakest available to the naked eye swezy have a brightness of about 6m, the Moon full moon is -12,7 m, Sun -26,7 m), gas-dust cloud was visible angular size is 10". The actual diameter of the comet's nucleus is approximately 3-5 km.

What is interesting about this "night visitor"? Calculations show that the perihelion(closest to Sun point in the trajectory) of the comet took place on 29 November 2013. at a distance of only 0,012 astronomical units from the center of the Sun, i.e. the distance between the comet and the surface of the Sun will be only 1.1 million km. the comet's Brightness according to the optimistic forecasts can reach 12m, and it is the brightness of the moon during the full moon! 26 Dec 2013 the comet will fly in 0.4 a. E. (60 million km) from Earth.

However, like other comets of the Kreutz family of this ice block may not survive the close encounter with the Sun. For example, the nucleus of the comet of 1880 and 1887 years collapsed after the perihelion passage. Observations show that the comet is close in characteristics to those comets of the nineteenth century. Latest comet C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy) destroyed near the Sun, presented to observers in the southern hemisphere, a very impressive sight.

From January to may 2013. comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) has not changed its brightness, zafiksirovany on the values of 15-16m and "left" in connection with the Sun "behind schedule" in 2 magnitudes lower than predicted. Now the comet is not available earthly observers because of its proximity to the Sun. Again observe it is from end of August 2013.

June 13 space telescope "Spitzer" made observations of comet ISONat a distance of 3.4 a.e. (a half-billion kilometers) from the Sun. She's quite a powerful tail, clearly visible in the infrared range. The comet loses daily about 1000 tons of carbon dioxide and 54 000 tons of dust. This early formation of a tail due to the fact that C/2012 S1 ison is a dynamically new comet passes perihelion for the first time, and on the surface there is a layer of fusible substances such as oxide and carbon dioxide.

According to optimistic forecasts, the comet will be brighter than Venus , and not notice in the morning sky it will be difficult, even in Moscow. Her tail would stretch for half the sky!

The worst scenario describes John Bortle:

To the naked eye , the comet will be visible for 2-3 weeks prior to perihelion around 10 November. Gradually, the brightness will increase up to 2-3m, when it will disappear in the rays of the rising Sun about a week before perihelion. At this time the comet is expected a short and relatively dim tail.

On the day of perihelion the coma may suddenly erupt. And theoretically, it will be visible even during the day in the form of diffuse stars. (Due to the proximity of the Sun, you must be very careful!)

About 2 weeks after perihelion, the comet head will have the same Shine as before to go around the Sun, but now she is going to have a spectacular tail extending 10-20°.

A most impressive sight, most likely is expected in the period 10-14 December at the predawn sky. It's possible that the comet will remain a huge tailthat has almost the same brightness along its entire length, starting in the southern part of the constellation of Hercules and stretching to the handle of the Big dipper. But monitoring is recommended to look for a place with minimal light pollution.

Which option we will see – time will tell. And although the wait is long, there's still time to prepare and meet the rare event fully prepared.

So which tool is optimal for observations of the comet?

Oddly enough it's not a telescope, and even a spyglass. Don't be surprised this binocular. It is the binoculars, and the largest increase. Recommended by professionals increase for similar observations from 7 to 10 times, objective lens diameter binoculars (aperture) – 40..50 mm. Possible to give very specific advice on which converge many astronomers binoculars 7x50. This size provides the optimum balance of characteristics of an image for comfortable observation. This dimension of the binoculars is in the line of many producers and retail prices now range from 1,400 rubles to 75,000! The top of the price variation relates, in our view, more to the prestige than to the underlying issues in a practical way, so we will not dwell in this article on such expensive models. The most popular, and therefore meet the needs of most buyers are binoculars in the price range of approximately 10,000 rubles. In this segment the most interesting proposals of Japanese companies. One of the leaders of the Japanese market, the Kenko is not yet known enough in our country. But in recent years, the company has decided to pay more attention to the European market, including Russian. The company, founded in 1957 and owns production facilities in Japan, the Philippines and China, is a manufacturer of binoculars and scopes for many well-known brands, but almost to the present time did not offer optics to our market under their own brand. And very sorry! Because in the face of this company, we have a supplier of very high quality, but very inexpensive optical equipment. Because of easier and shorter supply chains.

Especially by the time of the phenomena of comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) company Kenko offers to its Russian buyers special prices on binoculars suitable for observation of comets. Around September you can buy Kenko binoculars discounted at least 20% off the regular retail price. At the same time in affordable price range, which we discussed above, there is a choice as much as from 3 models with dimension 7x50! All 3 binoculars feature optical glass with a multilayer antireflective coating, the quality and quantity of the coatings increases with the price. Kenko Mirage 7x50 is the most affordable in the offer Kenko Artos 7x50 W and Kenko 7x50 IF M-model. All these binoculars are constructed with a Porro prism, named for the Italian who developed it. This scheme along with the scheme of the Roof is the most common today. Its advantage over the scheme of the Roof that the light passing through the prism is reflected 4 times, while from the Roof-scheme 5 times, and each reflection losses and distortion. Therefore, ceteris paribus scheme Porro lighter.

All 3 binoculars feature optical glass with a multilayer antireflective coating, the quality and quantity of the coatings increases with the price.

The body of the binoculars are sealed and covered with a protective rubber-like polymer layer for protection against external influences and comfort when using. Case expensive models are made of composite, while the other two made of aluminum alloy. In addition, IF Kenko 7x50 has a split focus eyepieces, which means it is a military prototype, as this arrangement is more reliable in operation.

All models are equipped with a threaded socket for mounting on a tripod in long-term observations, all with covers of eyepieces and lens, carrying strap and case.

Production at the enterprises of the Kenko is very high, which allows the manufacturer to guarantee the free repair or replacement of goods in case of detection of manufacturing defects for 10 years! That's a lot for this price range.

Of course, except for models 7x50 in the company's shares involved, and other binoculars of this brand, the wide range there are models for every taste and wallet, for a variety of applications. Therefore, we invite all nature lovers, astronomy, sports fans, theatregoers and professionals to visit our site STURMAN.RU this fall to learn more about optics KENKO.