Green Comet Approaches Sun

[n2doc]

February 4, 2009: In 1996, a 7-year-old boy in China bent over the eyepiece of a small telescope and saw something that would change his life--a comet of flamboyant beauty, bright and puffy with an active tail. At first he thought he himself had discovered it, but no, he learned, two men named "Hale" and "Bopp" had beat him to it. Mastering his disappointment, young Quanzhi Ye resolved to find his own comet one day.

And one day, he did.

Fast forward to a summer afternoon in July 2007. Ye, now 19 years old and a student of meteorology at China's Sun Yat-sen University, bent over his desk to stare at a black-and-white star field. The photo was taken nights before by Taiwanese astronomer Chi Sheng Lin on "sky patrol" at the Lulin Observatory. Ye's finger moved from point to point--and stopped. One of the stars was not a star, it was a comet, and this time Ye saw it first.

Comet Lulin, named after the observatory in Taiwan where the discovery-photo was taken, is now approaching Earth. "It is a green beauty that could become visible to the naked eye any day now," says Ye.

Amateur astronomer Jack Newton sends this photo from his backyard observatory in Arizona:

"My retired eyes still cannot see the brightening comet," says Newton, "but my 14-inch telescope picked it up quite nicely on Feb. 1st."

The comet makes its closest approach to Earth (0.41 AU) on Feb. 24, 2009. Current estimates peg the maximum brightness at 4th or 5th magnitude, which means dark country skies would be required to see it. No one can say for sure, however, because this appears to be Lulin's first visit to the inner solar system and its first exposure to intense sunlight. Surprises are possible.



more:

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/04feb_greencomet.htm?list786899

[Chulanowa]

1. I hope it gets brighter

I'm wedged between Seattle and Tacoma. Lots of light pollution. I haven't seen a comet since Hale-Bopp

[azmouse]

2. I can't wait to set up my telescope and take a peek at this.

[redqueen]

3. I read about that on the blog where I found the self-reassembling robot.

How fortunate for him to find a nice green one. :)

[corruptmewithpower]

4. The sky is falling.

http://www.rickwalton.com/funstuff/skyfall.htm:nuke:

[corruptmewithpower]

6. Uh oh! Bad link.

http://www.rickwalton.com/funstuff/skyfall.htm

[RaleighNCDUer]

5. Any idea what in its composition would make it green? nt

[corruptmewithpower]

7. cyanide or some such, says the article

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Cyanogen and diatomic carbon.

[damntexdem]

9. Concern for the environment?

Or is it a Jolly Green Giant Comet?

[n2doc]

11. kryptonite n/t

[Cobalt-60]

13. It's the Loc Nar!

[Nihil]

14. Snap!

Same thought here! :-)

[Ready4Change]

16. Leggo of my Loc Nar!

Heheh! Thanks for the blast from the past reference.

[joshcryer]

10. Wow! This is so awesome!

[Swede]

12. Sounds like the Day of the Triffids has begun.

Cover your eyes!

[Sequoia]

15. Feb 24 !!

That's my husband's birthday. He'll be pleased and we have a telescope. Thanks for the heads up.

[scubadude]

17. Hey, that's my Mom's birthday too!

This coming 24th would have been her 86th birthday if she were alive today. She was a supporter of astronomy too. For well over 30 years she allowed my friends and I to have a meteor shower party on her farm. Sometimes there were almost 200 folks there watching the stars all night. I held my 2 year old son in my arms out there when he motioned with his hand recognizing the first meteor he had ever seen. Beauty beyond belief.

Here's a toast to my mom, who's spirit soars with the comets and meteors at this very moment. I love and miss you. Also to the scientists and science lovers everywhere. You are the engine that makes us human!

Scuba

[chollybocker]

18. Who had Feb. 24, 2009 in the Rapture Pool?

You win!!

[n2doc]

19. kick n/t