Latest News on Comet ISON: Naked Could Work

Comet ISON has become a big tease: First it looked to fulfill hopes of becoming the "comet of the century." Then those hopes, like Comet ISON, dimmed.

But the comet, now hurtling toward a brush with the sun on Thanksgiving, has suddenly brightened, and some reports say that you may be able to see it with the naked eye.

While Comet ISON has increased dramatically in brightness, it will remain, for now, a faint shooting star at best.

• Click here for a very cool animation of Comet ISON.

Earthsky.org implores: "The comet is headed into the morning twilight now, as it hurtles toward its November 28 perihelion, or closest point to the sun. Morning twilight is beginning to interfere with observations of Comet ISON, so if you’re going to search with binoculars … do it soon."

• Photos of Comet ISON: A Potentially Great Comet

Here's why you want to look for it soon, like as soon as the skies over southern Westchester clear up (which the weather forecast says will be Nov. 19 and 20): Comet ISON is a sun-grazing comet. It's hurtling toward the sun and is expected to come closest to it on Thanksgiving.

Since comets are largely made up of ice, the comet will either ricochet around the sun and give us earthlings a great view of it in December — or it may not survive the trip. And  then ... nothing.

• 8 Essential Facts About Comet ISON
• Video of Comet ISON