Hi all, excuse the beginners question but I hate to have to cock the hammer and then not fire.
NASA states that on Feb. 24 Lulin will be at its nearest and nearby to Saturn. Being as I am in the Philippines does that mean that it is actually the 25 for me?
They also have it listed on the 6 and I have the same question... is that the 7 for me?
Sorry to be so confused but sometimes my brain just doesn't work very well.
Brian
Brian it won't make much difference to you.
Here are some numbers for UT: http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/iau/Ephem.../2007N3_1.html
For Manila Lulin is 2d 50m from Saturn on the 24th and 3d 50m on the 25th at midnight.
Here is a map of Lulin's path from SkyMapPro for the next 14 days at 2am UT+11.
I saw Lulin this morning with 20x80 binoculars. Lulin is at least twice the size of M3 but M3 has a higher surface brightness.
It will be near the mag 10 galaxy NGC 4697 on the 19th and 20th of Feb.
At midnight on 24/2 the comet will be 3d 20m from Saturn but Saturn will be 20 times more distant. (0.41 AU vs 8.42 AU)
The moon was nearby today but will move away soon.
LesBehrens and I observed the comet this morning. Despite the close proximity of the moon I was surprised at how easy it was to find in the finderscope.
It was Les' first comet, I think he expected to see more than a moon washed fuzz ball.
Tuesday nights close pass to Spica should make a nice wide field view especially with the moon rising a few hours later.
I had a peek this morning at 2:30am as well, it was very easy to find even with the moon light. Using 7x50 binoculars I could see it clearly, it's quite bright but no tail was visible. I was glad to get this glimpse, it's the only clear night we've had in six weeks.
Just had a glimpse of Comet Lulin in 11x70 binoc - in same FOV as Spica, tho area still pretty light with nearby Moon. Lulin was very easy to see as a mod size fuzzball, no tail seen as area lit by Moon. Still very happy to see it.
Able to catch another look at Lulin this am - she/it is scooting along ... very easy to spot in binoc, but time I dragged the scope over, the clouds rolled over. Will try again in half hour.
Was thinking I could see the hint of a long faint tail ??
Probably from about 12 am onwards, and is brightest next week on Feb 24th when closest to Earth.
Presently in Virgo, but moving fast.
Prob wont get too bright, but fun watching anyway.
I had a look tonight, was quite obvious once I knew where to look. A fuzzy ball for me, a hint of tail ? Probably wishful thinking on my part but possibly.
Managed to sneak in another look tonight. Didn't look too different to earlier in the month to me - faint green fuzzball. Wasn't able to get any more than a 30sec pic between clouds. Still fun to see a decent comet whiz by!...
I had a look again with 20x80 binos this morning. Lulin definitely has a tail.
I think it is V shaped, the left part is about 1 degree long, the right part shorter.
It was starting to get light and was also hazy so I didn't get a good look.
The comet will be near the binary star gamma Vir tomorrow. (mag = 3.4+3.5, dist = 1.27", pa = 25) Four years ago this pair was 0.35" apart.
See post #4 below for a map of the comets path.
