Comet ISON was discovered by Russian astronomers Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok in September 2012.

CNN: Stargazers capture images of comet

Deep Impact has now set its sights on comet Ison during a 36-hour period in mid-January.

BBC: Comet Ison caught on film by Deep Impact craft

Comet ISON was only discovered last September by a network of Russian astronomers.

FORBES: Budgets Nudge NASA Toward Balloon-Based Planetary Science: First Target? Comet ISON

On November 28, ISON is expected to dive into the sun's atmosphere.

CNN: Stargazers capture images of comet

Comet Ison was only discovered in September 2012 by Russian astronomers.

BBC: Comet Ison caught on film by Deep Impact craft

However, comets are unpredictable and can break up or fizzle out altogether even on their approach to the Sun - so sky watchers will surely keep their eyes on Ison.

BBC: Comet Ison caught on film by Deep Impact craft