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Approaching Comet!
Topic Started: Jan 25 2009, 02:32 PM (204 Views)
Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
APPROACHING COMET: Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3) is approaching Earth for a 38 million mile close encounter in late February. At that time, the comet could brighten to naked eye visibility (5th magnitude). Meanwhile, it's a nice target for backyard telescopes:

http://spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_lulin_page2.htm?PHPSESSID=p3crhtm82qk3g7v8il62p0okc1

Posted Image

Chris Brennan of Barbados took the picture using a 7-inch telescope on Jan. 24th. "Note the double tail," he says.

M. Mc Kenna sends this report from Northern ireland: "I checked out Comet Lulin this morning before dawn using a 8.5-inch reflector. My immediate impression was that the comet is very bright; the coma is healthy and active with an obvious green color. [Note: The 'coma' is the comet's gaseous atmosphere.] Seeing both tails at the same time was quite a treat! I also looked at the comet using a pair of binoculars and despite the poor quality of the opticsI was still able to find the comet easily. Finally, I tried very carefully to detect it with the naked eye but I just couldn't convince myself that it was visible. However, I suspect that with excellent sky conditions the first naked eye observations will be reported very soon. This comet could very well put on a good show in February!"
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When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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George K
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Finally
Any guesses as to how big it'll be? I would love to see something as spectacular as Hale-Bopp!

38 million miles? That's closer than Mars (most of the time)!

w00t!
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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George K
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Finally
" The most interesting thing about closest approach, however, is the comet's ridiculously high apparent velocity. Comet Lulin will be speeding along at more than 5° per day! This means that in a telescope or binoculars, one will actually be able to see the comet's apparent motion against the background stars! This effect is a must-see, and does not present itself often."
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
I will try to take a photo or two.
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When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
What makes it green?
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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
Envy
The dogma lives loudly within me.
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
What would a comet envy?

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Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
kenny
Jan 25 2009, 04:28 PM
What makes it green?
poor color balance.
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When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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jon-nyc
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Cheers
kenny
Jan 25 2009, 04:33 PM
What would a comet envy?

Hale-Bopp has a longer tail.
In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
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Klaus
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HOLY CARP!!!
Ah, this will be great target practice for my new Dobson telescope :yesgrin:
Trifonov Fleisher Klaus Sokolov Zimmerman
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
This might be worth getting a 'scope for.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
Go for it Mik! :thumb:
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When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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