C/2012 S1 (ISON) Perihelion Simulation

An approximate view of Comet ISON’s perihelion passage as viewed by SOHO LASCO, if it survives its pass through the solar corona. Even if nucleus survives, bulk of dust will be vapourised and dust tail will re-grow. Thin dotted line: approximate sodium tail position. Red: Ion tail for 800 km/s solar wind. Orange: Ion tail for 400 km/s solar wind. White: dust tail (most will be destroyed near the Sun).