A new image of the Sunward plunging Comet ISON suggests that the comet is intact even though there are some predictions that the fragile icy nucleus might disintegrate as the Sun warms it.
The comet will pass closest to the Sun on November 28.
In this NASA Hubble Space Telescope image taken on October 9, the comet’s solid nucleus is unresolved because it is so small.
If the nucleus broke apart then Hubble would have likely seen evidence for multiple fragments.
Moreover, the coma or head surrounding the comet’s nucleus is symmetric and smooth.
This would probably not be the case if clusters of smaller fragments were flying along.
What’s more, a polar jet of dust first seen in Hubble images taken in April is no longer visible and may have turned off. (ANI)