Scientists are studying spacecraft images to find out whether a small part of Comet ISON survived its close encounter with the sun.

The comet at first seemed to have fallen apart as it approached the sun's sizzling surface, but new images today showed a streak of light that some said could indicate it wasn't game over just yet.

The European Space Agency, which had declared ISON's death on Twitter late Thursday, was backtracking early Friday, saying the comet "continues to surprise."