'Jupiter-sized' Comet to Streak Past Earth Tonight

ALien · 02-24-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

We have known of its existence for only two years. But if you raise your eyes heavenwards over the next few nights, you might just catch a glimpse of the comet Lulin.

Glowing green, it will come within 38million miles of Earth, the closest it has ever been, and about the same distance away as Mars.

Lulin, photographed here by an astronomer in Arizona, was discovered by a 19-year-old student from a photo taken at Lulin Observatory-Taiwan, in 2007.

The spectacular comet will be visible to the naked eye over the next few nights.

Its colour comes from the gases that make up its Jupiter-sized atmosphere.

The stellar traveller is very active, shedding nearly 800 gallons of water each second on its journey around the Sun. That's enough liquid to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in less than 15 minutes.

Jets from the nucleus throw out cyanogen, a poisonous gas found in many comets, and diatomic carbon, which glow green when lit by sunlight.

It could be visible any time after dark.

Nasa said: 'Dark country skies will be required. But no one can say for sure. This appears to be Lulin's first visit to the inner solar system and its first exposure to intense sunlight. Surprises are possible.'

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

British astronomers from Leicester University will study the comet using the NASA Swift Satellite to find out more about its chemistry and gather clues about the origin of comets and the solar system.

kidflash2008 · 02-25-2009, 09:06 AM

In no where does the article state the size of the comet. I think Jupiter sized is an exaggeration, unless one includes the tail of the comet, which is made of gases.
Interesting article with great photographs of the comet. Thank you for posting it.

Truthed · 02-25-2009, 09:07 AM

Did anyone see it?

kidflash2008 · 02-25-2009, 09:17 AM

It has been cloudy here lately, so I did not get to see it.

Area-51 · 02-25-2009, 10:32 AM

Wow, the pictures are great

okirun · 02-25-2009, 01:20 PM

I live southeastern, and I went outside around 11 but I didn't see it

Cool pictures! But it'd be cooler to see it in motion.

Truthed · 02-25-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okirun

I live southeastern, and I went outside around 11 but I didn't see it

Damn i was kinda hoping someone got video

kidflash2008 · 02-26-2009, 09:09 AM

The last comet I saw was Hale-Bopp. I don't know how good videos of the comet would be.

02-25-2009, 09:07 AM	#3
Truthed Administrator Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,079	Did anyone see it? __________________ "You Want To Believe" http://www.truthed.com truthed@truthed.com

02-25-2009, 01:20 PM	#6
okirun Investigator Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 230	I live southeastern, and I went outside around 11 but I didn't see it Cool pictures! But it'd be cooler to see it in motion. __________________ "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether this happens at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps on learning not only remains young, but becomes constantly more valuable regardless of physical capacity." Last edited by okirun; 02-25-2009 at 01:25 PM.

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02-25-2009, 09:06 AM	#2
kidflash2008 Senior Investigator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,699	In no where does the article state the size of the comet. I think Jupiter sized is an exaggeration, unless one includes the tail of the comet, which is made of gases. Interesting article with great photographs of the comet. Thank you for posting it.

02-25-2009, 09:17 AM	#4
kidflash2008 Senior Investigator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,699	It has been cloudy here lately, so I did not get to see it.

02-25-2009, 10:32 AM	#5
Area-51 Investigator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 459	Wow, the pictures are great

02-26-2009, 09:09 AM	#8
kidflash2008 Senior Investigator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,699	The last comet I saw was Hale-Bopp. I don't know how good videos of the comet would be.