Comet ISON An illustration of Science in action….

Comet ISON Processes involved in Good Science? Processes involved in Good Science? Illustrations of these following Comet ISON’s detection, approach, and orbiting of the Sun Illustrations of these following Comet ISON’s detection, approach, and orbiting of the Sun

Processes involved in science: observation of data, developing questions about trends, differences, unique occurrences seen within that data, observation of data, developing questions about trends, differences, unique occurrences seen within that data, research into previous work on similar questions, research into previous work on similar questions, building models & creating testable hypotheses, building models & creating testable hypotheses, designing & gathering new data through, experiments, designing & gathering new data through, experiments, testing & refining models based on analysis of new data testing & refining models based on analysis of new data

Processes involved in science: modifying or discarding incorrect hypotheses modifying or discarding incorrect hypotheses developing interconnected hypotheses into theories developing interconnected hypotheses into theories sharing data & results with peers for independent evaluation and testing and sharing data & results with peers for independent evaluation and testing and publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals so that the community of science can advance. publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals so that the community of science can advance.

Obsevations: Detected Sept 21, 2012 Detected Sept 21, 2012 Confirmed by others AND by looking at earlier photos by 9/24 Confirmed by others AND by looking at earlier photos by 9/24 Good Science: Multiple independent observations

Observations Very “active” for so far away. Very “active” for so far away. Good Science: Look at objects with multiple wavelengths, in different ways, to learn more SWIFT Gamma Ray Telescope (launched 2004) Deep Impact Mission (launched 2005)

Models: Orbit model of a “Sungrazer Comet” Orbit model of a “Sungrazer Comet” Orbit model of a “Sungrazer Comet” Orbit model of a “Sungrazer Comet” Like 1680 Comet Kirch? Like 1680 Comet Kirch? Good Science: Research past similar orbits and trajectories, develop models based on data plus earlier knowledge

Develop Hypotheses Very “active” => Might it create a great sight? Very “active” => Might it create a great sight? Good Science: Research past comets Would it look like Comet Hartley ?

Develop Hypotheses New comet, fresh from Oort cloud New comet, fresh from Oort cloud Like 2011 Comet Lovejoy Like 2011 Comet Lovejoy Good Science: Develop Hypotheses based on available data, suggest tests for these to spur new observations/experiments

Develop Hypotheses New comet, fresh from Oort cloud New comet, fresh from Oort cloud Like 2011 Comet Lovejoy, would it survive? Like 2011 Comet Lovejoy, would it survive? Good Science: Develop Hypotheses based on available data, suggest tests for these to spur new observations/experiments

Develop Hypotheses It could be an epic failure It could be an epic failure It could fizzle & burn up It could fizzle & burn up It could be spectacular! It could be spectacular!

Testing of Hypotheses w/ multiple experiments

Why so active so early? Use IR telescope to see CO2 & CO molecules ISON has lots of Gas! “The Soda Pop Comet”

Testing of Hypotheses w/ multiple experiments Use spectra to help confirm composition

Refining Models Involve lots of scientists Involve lots of scientists Involve lots of scientists Involve lots of scientists Good Science: Sharing different views and ideas among peers advances science

Testing of Hypotheses w/ multiple experiments Continued study – it might be really SPECTACULAR!

Discarding Hypotheses based on new data Discarding Hypotheses based on new data