Author: Meena Jang

Courtesy of Science Channel

From its first spotting in September 2012 to its final journey past the sun, comet ISON’s 4.5 trillion-mile trek across the solar system has been an unsolved mystery since its start millions of years ago — now Science Channel says it has the full story.

The network’s new special Super Comet ISON 2013 will detail what is being called one of the most significant celestial events in history with exclusive images of the comet’s path caught by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and other leading observatories across the globe.

With the help of a team of world-renowned astronomers and astrophysicists including Lowell Observatory comet scientist Dr. Matthew Knight, Naval Research Lab astrophysicist Karl Battams and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab senior scientist Dr. Carey Lisse, the special will feature extensive historical coverage of comet ISON’s long-running flight. NASA’s Goddard Space Center has also captured never-before-seen views of the celestial phenomenon with the use of an interplanetary network of HD cameras.

Science Channel says the special will tell “the entire story in the life cycle of the comet.”

“There are very few events that create true global moments – happenings that touch every human on Earth and bind us together. The passing of Comet ISON is one of those moments,” said Debbie Adler Myers, general manager and executive vp at Science Channel.

Hosted by Dan Rifkin, Super Comet ISON 2013 will debut on Science Channel at 10 p.m. Dec. 7.

United Features Syndicate/Courtesy Everett Collection

“A Charlie Brown Christmas”

With the start of December, the TV networks are celebrating the season with a surge of holiday programming. From old-time classics such as A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life to Lifetime and Hallmark movie premieres, The Hollywood Reporter has compiled some highlights from the extensive lineup of this month’s holiday specials.

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Monday, Dec. 2
7 p.m. – Jack Frost (ABC Family)
8 p.m. – A Charlie Brown Christmas (ABC)
9 p.m. – CMA Country Christmas (ABC)

Tuesday, Dec. 3
6 p.m. – The Santa Clause (ABC Family)
8 p.m. – Scrooged (ABC Family)
10 p.m. – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (ABC Family)

Wednesday, Dec. 4
8 p.m. – Christmas in Rockefeller Center (NBC)
9 p.m. – Saturday Night Live Christmas Special (NBC)

Thursday, Dec. 5
8 p.m. – The Sound of Music Live! (NBC)
9 p.m. – The Muppet Christmas Carol (ABC Family)

Friday, Dec. 6
8 p.m. – Frosty the Snowman (CBS)

Saturday, Dec. 7
8 p.m. – Christmas in the City (Lifetime)
8 p.m. – Santa Switch (Hallmark)

Monday, Dec. 9
9 p.m. – The Great Christmas Light Fight (ABC)

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Wednesday, Dec. 11
10 p.m. – Kelly Clarkson’s Cautionary Christmas Music Tale (NBC)

Saturday, Dec.14
8 p.m. – It’s a Wonderful Life (NBC)
8 p.m. – Christmas on the Bayou (Lifetime)
8 p.m. – Hats Off to Christmas (Hallmark)
10 p.m. – A Snow Globe Christmas (Lifetime)

Sunday, Dec. 15
8 p.m. – Finding Christmas (Hallmark)

Monday, Dec. 16
9 p.m. – Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (Fox)

Wednesday, Dec. 18
8 p.m. – The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2013 (The CW)
8 p.m. – Home for the Holidays with Celine Dion (CBS)
10 p.m. – Michael Buble Christmas (NBC)

Friday, Dec. 20
8 p.m. – Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown (Fox)
8 p.m. – Christmas in Washington (TNT)

Saturday, Dec. 21
7:30 a.m. – The Little Drummer Boy (ABC Family)
8 p.m. – The Twelve Trees of Christmas (Lifetime)

Tuesday, Dec. 24
7 a.m. – A Very Brady Christmas (ABC Family)
9 a.m. – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (ABC Family)
5 p.m. – A Christmas Story (24-hour marathon on TBS)
8:30 p.m. – Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas (ABC)

Wednesday, Dec. 25
9 a.m. ET – Yule Log (PIX11 in New York)
10 a.m. – Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade (ABC)
9:30 a.m. – Merry Madagascar (The CW)

Monday, Dec. 30
8 p.m. – Happy New Year, Charlie Brown (ABC)
9 p.m. – Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (ABC)

Tuesday, Dec. 31
10 a.m. – Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest (ABC)
10 a.m. – New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly (ABC)
11 p.m. – New Year’s Eve Live (Fox)