Mars Express will take photos of Comet ISON’s coma, the atmosphere that surrounds ISON’s nucleus. Also, NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has been tracking ISON and may be able to get a look as well through October 2nd.
These cameras were designed to shoot high-resolution photos of Mars but scientists are going to attempt to use them to catch a glimpse of ISON as it passes. A lot depends on how bright ISON is as it gets closer to the sun. Keep your fingers crossed….
The high-resolution imaging science experiment (HiRISE) is one of six science instruments for NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
This illustration shows comet ISON closely passing Mars on October 1, 2013. Credit: NASA