Comet ISON lost several fragments, and have grown "wings" - Reuters

© Photo: Wendelstein Observatory of the LMU / MPS

MOSCOW, November 19 – RIA Novosti. One or more large fragments could be separated in the last few days of the comet’s nucleus ISON – this explains the appearance of krylepodobnyh structures in its tail and a sharp increase in brightness, according to the German astronomers.

Comet ISON soon after its launch in September 2012 predicted a record brightness. Some astronomers have predicted that it will reach the brightness of the full Moon, and may become the brightest in this decade. However, the forecasts were not justified – the brightness of the comet grew very slowly, and some scientists thought that it was already beginning to break down and may disappear before reaching perihelion.

However, on November 7

brightness of the comet suddenly soared, some observers reported a sharp increase in activity in its core. Scientists at the German Institute for Solar System Research and the University Observatory, Ludwig-Maximilian in Munich on 14 and 16 November held a series of observations of the comet and may have discovered the cause of burst brightness.

The pictures

astronomers saw two jet-like wings, which made their way to the two sides of the comet’s nucleus. “Such formations usually occur after some fragments detached from the core” – explains Herman Bonhardt (Hermann Bohnhardt) from the Institute of Solar System.

As the comet’s nucleus and its fragments emit jets of gas and dust. When they meet the emission core, a boundary layer, similar to the wings. “Our calculations show that ISON lost only one or, at most, a few fragments. However, experience has shown that comets lose one piece, tend to repeat this experience,” – he says.

subsequent fate is unknown comet: a week later, on Nov. 28, the comet should pass perihelion – the closest point to the Sun orbit – and it should reach maximum brightness. However, it is possible that a comet can be destroyed.