Comet Lulin

[Radar]

New comet to peep at. Currently in Libra. Will be at it's closest approach on Feburary 24th. Should be 5th Mag. Visible now through an 8 inch scope.

http://www.spaceweather.com/images2009/15jan09/skymap_north_lulin.gif?

[Tenacious Del]

thanks for the comtip mate.:smile:

[Mick]

Anyone had a look at this comet yet? I'm itching but the clouds and rain won't leave :frown:

[Saj]

I intended to last night as we've been plagued with snow lately and i've been waiting for the opportunity (with my new scope and all). It was finely clear last night, but i packed it in at about 1am and Lulin rises around 2am in my neighborhood. I'm getting excited as i've never seen one before and im going to take a stab at imaging the bugger as well.

[Jim G]

It was good viewing last night with 25x100 binos, big and bright and with the coma extension/tail very clear. Not so much detail with 11x80s, so I suggest you still need a bit of aperture for the best view. Still got 3 weeks for it to brighten, and some nice close passes to come, Saturn and the Beehive at the end of the month. Just need those clear skies.

Regards, Jim.

[Radar]

Lulin is brightening, around 5.5 magnitude. Easy to find as well. Sitting right near Spica in Virgo. See screenshots from SN to find out Lulins current location.

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If you live in Australia it rises around 10.30pm. Should be some good views this weekend with the waning moon.

Ray

[Jim G]

It has been reported as naked eye, with two tails visible in binoculars and the photos showing three. Now that the Moon is gone it will be at its best, brightest around the 23rd Feb when it rises at 8.30pm, then fading. Check the charts for close passes with Saturn 23rd /24th, Regulus and the Beehive.
Regards, Jim.

[Radar]

It has been reported as naked eye, with two tails visible in binoculars and the photos showing three.

Three tails? Interesting, what causes three?

Saturday night I'm going to try and capture this puppy. Brush off the old film cameras. Here we come.

Ray

[Radar]

Cloud, cloud and more cloud. No long exposures for me, only this 30 second shot with a digital camera. Not worth posting, but worth using as a "spot the comet" competition type photo.

First person to spot Lulin in this photo wins some free time on their own telescope with their own eyepieces for whenever they want.:biggrin:

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[hpcoolahan]

May i get some more obs time now sir??

Cheers
Patrick

[Mick]

Gee he is quick, nice work Ray, the green glow that must given it away hey.
I got a good view of this comet on the 16th with 7x50 binoculars, very nice no visible tail there was to much Moonlight. Only clear night in six weeks it's raining again here. :crazy:

[seeker372011]

its clear tonight-so rare! but of course its Sunday night and an early start tomorrow...dont know if I can hang on till spica rises but will give it a shot

[Radar]

Well done Pat, feel free to use your telescope whenever you want. :biggrin:


Gee he is quick, nice work Ray, the green glow that must given it away hey.
I got a good view of this comet on the 16th with 7x50 binoculars, very nice no visible tail there was to much Moonlight. Only clear night in six weeks it's raining again here

lol, the weather gods don't want people seeing this comet.:crazy:


its clear tonight-so rare! but of course its Sunday night and an early start tomorrow...dont know if I can hang on till spica rises but will give it a shot

Same here mate. Nice sky tonight, but an early morning as well. :ahh!:

Ray

[Jim G]

One ion tail and the appearance of two dust tails because the tail is streaming away from us and is visible both sides of the nucleus. Two tails visible tonight in 25x100 binoculars, about one degree and half a degree either side, east and west. Comet, but not tails, visible naked eye here. Tuesday night Australian time there is a transit of Saturn's moons across the planet's disk with Lulin only a couple of degrees away, so plenty of action then.
Regards, Jim.

[Jim G]

its clear tonight-so rare! but of course its Sunday night and an early start tomorrow...dont know if I can hang on till spica rises but will give it a shot

Bear in mind that it is moving along the ecliptic about 5 degrees each day, tonight it was in the sky by 9.0pm and getting earlier each night. It's also going to start fading soon, so get in quick.

Jim.