Comet Lulin getting closer

Comet C/2007 N3, also known as Comet Lulin, is a non-periodic comet. It was discovered by Ye Quanzhi and Lin Chi-Sheng from Lulin Observatory on July 11th, 2007. On the morning of January 31, observers estimated the comet’s brightness as magnitude 6.5-7.0 (which means barely visible with the naked eye under close-to-perfect conditions). However, it’s getting closer… and brighter!

How much closer? Comet Lulin’s closest approach will be on February 24th, 2009 at a distance of about 61 million kilometers. Calculations indicate that by then, it will have an apparent magnitude somewhere between 4 and 6, and it’s tail will likely be as long as 8 times the Moon’s diameter.

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.

The comet will also appear to pass near Saturn on February 23, and near Regulus in Leo on February 26 and 27. You can check out it’s trajectory on the dedicated NASA JPL small-body page.