The Comet

[aryagonnakill#2]

I know this is a fantasy, and not everything has to work according to physics, and that maybe GRRM didn't really consider this, but I just realized that the comet was seen both day and night from Westeros to Qarth.

There is only 1 way that could be and it is if the comet was in geosynchronous or almost geosynchronous orbit over western Essos, and then somehow left orbit.

That's insane, but I can't think of another option. I know magic and all, but that's still what happened.

[Mychel_Redfort]

That the comet can be seen day and night doesn't mean that it can be seen all day and all night.

At first, it comes from the opposite direction of the sun, so it's most visible by night, low in the sky when the sun sets (in Lhazar in AGOT 72) or when the sun rises (in Winterfell in AGOT 66). Then, as days pass, the comet comes closer to the sun, and becomes more visible by day and less visible by night. In all cases, due to Earth's rotation around its axis, it can only be seen roughly twelve hours a day. It's not stated in the text if the comet "survives" its passing near the sun or if it shatters then.

[aryagonnakill#2]

Well there is a quote in the books, I believe in a Danaerys chapter where she says the comet could be seen "even by day". To me this means it is visible all the time, but I guess I could be wrong.

[Kienn]

Well there is a quote in the books, I believe in a Danaerys chapter where she says the comet could be seen "even by day". To me this means it is visible all the time, but I guess I could be wrong.

Compared to most stars, which are not visible during the day.

That still doesn't imply any more than 12 hrs per day.

[Mychel_Redfort]

Cressen says it's visible "even by day" in Clash's prologue. At first, when it's still far from the sun, the comet, like the stars, can only be seen by night. When it's near the sun, it can mostly be seen when the sun is up, so by day. And unlike the stars, it can be seen by day if it's big enough. In between, the comet rises during the night and sets during the day.

[aryagonnakill#2]

Ya I suppose it makes sense that It rose later and later each night and set later and later each day, I just remembered that it came up at first dark when it first arrived so it didn't seem to make sense that it would be 12 hours into the middle of the day.

[White Ravens]

Here in RL the Great Comet of 1910 was sometimes called the Daylight Comet because it was bright enough to be seen in daylight. The aSoIaF comet is simply very very bright.

[Balerion's Whiskers]

I'm familiar with how comets work (have even photographed some) but it struck me as odd when I was reading it too. It may just be how it was worded, but it did cross my mind that it seemed like the comet was visible for 24 hours all the time. Which as a heavens-watcher for decades, I know isn't possible unless it was in a geosynchronous orbit (which would make it visible to some and not others on the planet)...and daylight sightings can occur with an especially bright one.

[Mychel_Redfort]

To have a geosynchronous orbit, the comet should orbit around Planetos, and that seems highly unlikely. Most comets have elliptic orbits around the Sun, one should happen to pass very close to Planetos so that the planet's gravity could catch it.

[Balerion's Whiskers]

To have a geosynchronous orbit, the comet should orbit around Planetos, and that seems highly unlikely. Most comets have elliptic orbits around the Sun, one should happen to pass very close to Planetos so that the planet's gravity could catch it.

Agreed...by all laws of physics, a comet wouldn't do this. If it did catch it, it is Bye Bye Planetos. (or a big chunk of it...like the Yucatan Peninsula however many million years past.

[Mychel_Redfort]

It's theorized the two moons of Mars are captured asteroids, but I guess it can only work with rocky objects, not icy ones like comets.

[Monctonvike]

Here in RL the Great Comet of 1910 was sometimes called the Daylight Comet because it was bright enough to be seen in daylight. The aSoIaF comet is simply very very bright.

:agree:

I think its pretty well along those lines

[Ser Duncan The Average]

Here in RL the Great Comet of 1910 was sometimes called the Daylight Comet because it was bright enough to be seen in daylight. The aSoIaF comet is simply very very bright.

Where? All I can think of is the Riverlands. :dunno:

[RockyRagnarok]

Why can't the comet be more than just an ordinary comet like IRL? I like to believe the Comet is the 1st Dragon out the womb(The Cracked Moon theory told to Dany while with the Dothraki) Dany gave "Birth" to 3 Dragons, and Aegon VI and Jon Snow could symbolize 2 more Dragons(Mummer's dragon and Ice dragon)

We don't know how many moons exist around the planet of Ice and Fire, and I think it would be cool and very GRRM to have 2 moons orbiting the people, a Red Moon and White Moon to symbolize Fire and Ice...

The 1st Moon, likely the Red Moon cracked when it got too close and produced the 1st dragons and the Rise of Valyria and the Targaryens...Many years later the 2nd Moon could have cracked and produced a 2nd wave of Dragons, with this wave of Dragons could come an Ice Dragon and the Rise of the Others/Stark heirs...

Anyway just my thoughts on the Comet...

[ummester]

Not sure how it would work but am thinking the comet is a piece of the old moon that cracked/left orbit with the Long Night and Planetos coming close to this position has something to do with the magic being revived (aka dragon birth).

[Isobel Harper]

Where? All I can think of is the Riverlands. :dunno:

RL = real life.

[Good Guy Garlan]

As I understood it, the comet was sent by the Undying to lead Dany to Qarth, so I guess it's magical

[Mithras]

As I understood it, the comet was sent by the Undying to lead Dany to Qarth, so I guess it's magical

I don't think they had such power.