* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: Comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin)

Blobrana · L

When Comet Lulin (2007 N3) made an appearance early this year it captured the attention of many people eager to see the big, bright, primordial blob moving through the constellation Libra. Meanwhile, Lowell Observatory astronomers had been planning for Lulins arrival, ready to take maximum advantage of a rather fleeting window to make their research observations. The Lowell scientists took images of Lulin during 22 nights and also obtained 10 additional nights of partial data using Lowell Observatorys 1.1-meter John S. Hall Telescope at Lowells dark sky research site on Anderson Mesa near Flagstaff.

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Blobrana · L

Comet Lulin passing Saturn

Blobrana · L

Ephemeris

Date    TT    R. A. (2000) Decl.     Delta      r     Elong.  Phase   mag    

2009 04 14    06 36.19   +22 23.7    1.847    1.848    74.3    31.5  10.5
2009 04 19    06 35.01   +22 24.3    2.010    1.901    69.1    29.6  10.8
2009 04 24    06 34.67   +22 24.1    2.170    1.954    64.2    27.6  11.1
2009 04 29    06 34.98   +22 23.4    2.324    2.008    59.4    25.6  11.4
2009 05 04    06 35.81   +22 22.2    2.473    2.062    54.7    23.5  11.6
2009 05 09    06 37.03   +22 20.7    2.616    2.117    50.2    21.5  11.8
2009 05 14    06 38.58   +22 18.8    2.753    2.171    45.7    19.5  12.1
2009 05 19    06 40.38   +22 16.6    2.884    2.226    41.3    17.5  12.3
2009 05 24    06 42.38   +22 14.0    3.008    2.281    37.0    15.5  12.5
2009 05 29    06 44.54   +22 11.2    3.125    2.337    32.7    13.5  12.7

Blobrana · L

Early this week offers sky-watchers their best shot at seeing the comet Lulin as it makes its nearest approach to Earth. In some locales it may be possible to spot Lulin with the naked eye, but a small telescope or even a pair of binoculars will help to pick it out.
To find the greenish comet in the sky, use one of Sky & Telescope's handy PDF charts, which track Lulin's location day-by-day. Tonight Lulin will pass just below Saturn in the night sky.

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PDF charts

Jan. 1 - Feb. 14
Feb. 13 - Mar. 2
Mar. 1 - Mar. 20
Mar. 14 - May 1

Blobrana · L

While waiting for high-energy outbursts and cosmic explosions, NASA's Swift Gamma-ray Explorer satellite is monitoring Comet Lulin as it closes on Earth. For the first time, astronomers are seeing simultaneous ultraviolet and X-ray images of a comet.

"We won't be able to send a space probe to Comet Lulin, but Swift is giving us some of the information we would get from just such a mission" - Jenny Carter, at the University of Leicester, U.K., who is leading the study.

"The comet is releasing a great amount of gas, which makes it an ideal target for X-ray observations" - Andrew Read, University of Leicester.

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Blobrana · L

An odd, greenish backward-flying comet is zipping by Earth this month, as it takes its only trip toward the sun from the farthest edges of the solar system. The comet is called Lulin, and there's a chance it can be seen with the naked eye - far from city lights, astronomers say. But you'll most likely need a telescope, or at least binoculars, to spot it.

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Blobrana · L

Comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin)

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Comet Lulin, is a non-periodic comet. It was discovered by Ye Quanzhi and Lin Chi-Sheng from Lulin Observatory. It will peak in brightness for observers on Earth on February 24, 2009, between magnitude +4 and magnitude +6. The comet will also appear to pass near Saturn on February 23, and near Regulus in Leo on February 26 and 27, 2009.

Blobrana · L

Comet Lulin that is now approaching the inner solar system will brighten into naked-eye range in the southeast sky this month. It will be brightest on Feb 24 and will be easily spotted by people as it will appear close to planet Saturn. If you go out to look for planet Saturn on Feb 23rd, the comet will be just about 2 degrees away from it. Though the two celestial objects may appear close, they are not. Comet Lulin is very much nearer to us than Saturn is. However Saturn is very much brighter than the Comet Lulin.

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Blobrana · L

Comet Lulin Video Guide

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