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Comet Lulin Is Moving Closer To Earth

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the space-sparkles dept.

goran72 writes "The comet is swinging around the Sun and approaching the Earth. The photogenic Lulin has a bright tail and an 'anti-tail.' At its closest approach in February, Comet Lulin is expected to brighten to naked-eye visibility, reaching a magnitude of six."

97 comments

  1. Magnitude of six... what by martinw89 · · Score: 1

    I'm sorry, it could definitely be that my morning brain isn't functioning properly. But in the following sentence:

    At its closest approach in February, Comet Lulin is expected to brighten to naked-eye visibility, reaching a magnitude of six."

    Six... what?

    1. Re:Magnitude of six... what by d3m0nCr4t · · Score: 5, Informative

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_magnitude

    2. Re:Magnitude of six... what by captainpanic · · Score: 2, Informative

      "Apparent magnitude" is the measure for brightness that astronomers use. Read more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_magnitude The magnitude 6 means (according to wikipedia) it's between the brightness of the faintest stars observable with the naked eye and the planet Uranus. The measure has no SI units like joules, meters or something like that. It's a relative scale.

    3. Re:Magnitude of six... what by martinw89 · · Score: 3, Informative

      Ahh OK, not being familiar with apparent magnitude I was looking for some sort of unit to search for. Now I see.

      For those interested in the brightness of the comet, it will be somewhere between the Uranus (at its brightest) and the faintest stars visible to the naked eye.

    4. Re:Magnitude of six... what by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

      Let me Google that for you.

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
    5. Re:Magnitude of six... what by oldspewey · · Score: 1

      Magnitude six would mean it will be slightly less noticeable than Uranus.

      --
      If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
    6. Re:Magnitude of six... what by Theoboley · · Score: 0

      My comet goes to 11!!!!

      --
      Stupidity only gets you so far, then you've gotta try
    7. Re:Magnitude of six... what by erroneus · · Score: 1

      ... that is simply too obvious so I won't exploit it. But come on!!! Every [mental] 6th grader out there is catching this one! Change the relative measurement!

    8. Re:Magnitude of six... what by Igarden2 · · Score: 2, Funny

      But mine goes to 11.

      --
      Normally I ascribe all life to intelligent design, but in your case I'll make an exception.
    9. Re:Magnitude of six... what by Thanshin · · Score: 4, Funny

      Six... what?

      You have to read between the lines.

      They've already told you about the tail and the anti-tail. Right there you should think:

      "Anti tail? what are they talking about? ... Oh, teh opposite of a tail ... A tail on the opposite side. ... hmmm ... ... Ahh, hehe, yeah, anti-tail, hehe, clever ... ... hmm I wonder if mine is bigger..."

      And right there you get the answer. "It has a magnitude of 6". So, the answer to your original question is, clearly, "Inches".

      You're welcome.

    10. Re:Magnitude of six... what by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "...Lulin is expected to brighten to naked-eye visibility, reaching a magnitude of six."

      I wish my girlfriend could see my Lulin anti-tail at 6". She would enjoy that more.

    11. Re:Magnitude of six... what by illumastorm · · Score: 1

      You mean -11 otherwise we are going to need to see you with a telescope.

    12. Re:Magnitude of six... what by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      (...) somewhere between the Uranus (...)

      I just got an unpleasant flashback to seeing a picture of the goatse man...

    13. Re:Magnitude of six... what by ttigue · · Score: 1

      Six is the magnitude necessary to cause the machines to rise up- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_Overdrive

    14. Re:Magnitude of six... what by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's still amazing to me that people have not grasped the concept of a search engine. #2 on Google.

      http://lmgtfy.com/?q=magnitude+of+six

    15. Re:Magnitude of six... what by Muad'Dave · · Score: 1

      I don't know about you, but my eyes can't repel comet power of _that_ magnitude!

      --
      Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.
    16. Re:Magnitude of six... what by eddy+the+lip · · Score: 1

      -11? He's mooning the Earth?

      --

      This is the voice of World Control. I bring you Peace.

    17. Re:Magnitude of six... what by gzipped_tar · · Score: 1

      Six is already pretty bright for a comet. It would be too faint to be a spectacular event for the naked eyes, but with telescopes and cameras it will make nice pics, even they're amateur equipments.

      However, predicting the magnitude of a comet is a bit difficult. There are numerous precedents of comets failing our expectations and there are also some giving us surprises. Let's just wait and see :)

      --
      Colorless green Cthulhu waits dreaming furiously.
    18. Re:Magnitude of six... what by jgoemat · · Score: 1

      Magnitude 6 will not be visible by most people in cities without binoculars...

    19. Re:Magnitude of six... what by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well... to be fair, that really isn't a good thing to Google, because it's a specific measurement. You wouldn't Google "twenty-two inches" to figure out what an inch is. In fact, it is just pure luck that the relevant Wikipedia page came up, due to the presence of "Thirty-six" elsewhere in the document.

      A better search would be "comet magnitude" ... the FIRST result is the relevant one there.

    20. Re:Magnitude of six... what by martinw89 · · Score: 1

      Except, I didn't know anything about apparent magnitude, so I had no idea to search for "comet magnitude." Smartass :)

    21. Re:Magnitude of six... what by azenpunk · · Score: 1

      what i caught onto was you promising not to exploit uranus because people might notice.

  2. My eyes... by pondermaster · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...are always naked.
    Where's this pesky eyeware shop they're talking about?

    1. Re:My eyes... by BenoitRen · · Score: 1

      You may be looking for the shop that sells pairs of glasses.

    2. Re:My eyes... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "My eyes are always naked." Pervert!!!!!!

  3. Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by petes_PoV · · Score: 5, Insightful
    unless you live in the very darkest regions, utterly devoid of streetlighting.

    I really wish people wouldn't talk up comets. They almost never live up to the hype - partly because the commentators are either hopelessly optimistic or over-enthusiastic. Then when the "average" person sticks their head out at night - hoping to see something spectacular, they are gravely disappointed.

    This kind of thing damages the scientific credibility as a whole and turns people off the idea of beleiving scientists: "remember that comet they told us about - what a bust that was, I guess name of global catastrophe is the same - waste of time".

    --
    politicians are like babies' nappies: they should both be changed regularly and for the same reasons
    1. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by zwekiel · · Score: 1

      Yeah, he's right. To see a magnitude 6 object, you would need either binoculars, or to be in an area where there is no artificial light.

      So, us city folk are out of life.

      --
      Web Hosting: Unlimited storage and bandwidth: $5/month
    2. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by antifoidulus · · Score: 1

      unless you live in the very darkest regions, utterly devoid of streetlighting.

      Or you have a shotgun and know where the local transformers are located.....

      --
      Monstar L
    3. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by yincrash · · Score: 1

      I'm pretty sure I'm full of life, thank you very much.

    4. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by Cowmonaut · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I'd laugh, but its not as funny knowing you'd have to black out the entire city in order to get rid of the light pollution.

    5. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by Ironchew · · Score: 1

      Or you have a shotgun and know where the local transformers are located.....

      That makes me think of Homer shooting the kitchen lights off. With a bit more ingenuity, you could find the switch.

    6. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by Webs+101 · · Score: 1

      According to a poster above, Mag 6 is about as visible as Uranus - so if you pull your head out of your ass, you should be able to see it.

      --

      "Even for Slashdot, that was a very obscure reference!" - Anonymous Coward

    7. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by MBGMorden · · Score: 1

      Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible . . . unless you live in the very darkest regions, utterly devoid of streetlighting.

      So basically, it's not, unless it is.

      --
      "People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
    8. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by ChoboMog · · Score: 1

      I don't see how one's disappointment with a predicted astronomical event (comet, eclipse, meteor shower etc) would damage the scientific credibility. Maybe if they popped their head outside, saw nothing, and then heard the news the next day that someone had messed up a calculation (or mistakenly used Metric/Imperial units in the wrong place) and the event never took place...That would bring credibility into question. At worst, a lackluster show by a comet, or during an eclipse/meteor shower, would lead to a bit more apathy towards science and the universe. However, that apathy will die quickly the next time something really cool, like the Aurorae or a meteor, lights up the night sky. ^_^

    9. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by biocute · · Score: 4, Funny

      local transformers are located

      Then what? One of them transforms into a telescope when you threaten it with the shotgun?

      --
      Virtual Betting on Facebook for non-geeks.
    10. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by TapeCutter · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "[Comets] almost never live up to the hype"

      I've been looking at the sky for comets since around the time of the moon landings, Hayley's comet was a big dissapointment even though I was living in the bush at the time and had near perfect skies. However a couple of years ago when a I got break in a week of cloudy sky I saw Comet McNaght at it's peak brightness looking very much like this to (an old fart's) naked eye, from a beachside suburb in the glow of a major city! After 40yrs of looking at the sky I finally saw a comet in all it's awsome glory, but by that time comets were no longer the reason I habitually enjoyed "sticking my head out at night".

      This kind of thing damages the scientific credibility as a whole and turns people off the idea of beleiving scientists: "remember that comet they told us about - what a bust that was, I guess name of global catastrophe is the same - waste of time".

      Slightly offtopic but I don't agree, the only reason to belive scientists has got nothing to do with the scientists theselves. How many posts do we see on slashdot following the religious right's "unthinking is a virtue" philosophy when it comes to a political rant against the IPCC, they ranters fail to even read, let alone falsify the assertions contained within it's reports. And to add insult to injury these type of anti-science rants are often modded insightfull by what is supposed to be a bunch of nerds. I agree with Dawkins and Sagan that the "unthinking is a virtue" philosophy is our worst enemy but scientists are the last group of people I would blame for it's popularity.

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
    11. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by Alomex · · Score: 1

      A while back we found ourselves in a small island in the middle of nowhere. It was remarkable how much brighter it is compared to the rest of the sky. Since I'm usually never more than 100 km away from a really large metropolis, I'd forgotten what an amazing sight it is.

    12. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Somehow, through editing the original post, the words "milky way" ended up not appearing in the post at all....

    13. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 4, Funny

      Then what? One of them transforms into a telescope when you threaten it with the shotgun?

      Well, Perceptor might if you aimed at his.... cripes, I can't believe I have a girlfriend.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    14. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by mowall · · Score: 2, Funny

      Somehow, through editing the original post, the words "milky way" ended up not appearing in the post at all....

      They are there, just not visible to the naked eye.

    15. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by agrounds · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Having spent the entirety of my childhood in Houston, I always had an interest in astronomy and had a decently mounted catadioptric refractor that I used quite a bit to see/sketch the moon but the city glow makes the entire night sky bright orange. Stars and planets were pretty much off the menu except right after cold fronts in the winter, when I would sit outside for hours with a chart and try to track down all the stars I could find. It was never very many though, but it was exciting.

      I went on an extended hiking and camping trip to the White Mountains in Colorado when I was 14 and on a whim decided to lug my scope with me strapped to the bottom of my pack. It was heavy and more of a burden than I thought it would be, but the very first evening we set camp at ~9,000 feet. After a trout dinner and some relaxing, the sun went down and slowly but surely the night sky began to appear. It was as close to a religious experience as I have ever had. I didn't sleep that night even though I had hiked for hours the previous day and was still trying to come to terms with "non-sea-level" atmospheric pressure.

      Since then, I have seen the sky from many other vantage points with equally impressive vistas, but I still look back on that trip fondly. It was the first time I felt truly humbled and how insignificant we all are in the universe.

    16. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is because people are spoiled by the Hollywood version of what a comet should look like. It's supposed to be huge, world-swallowing, and maybe even Cometine Empire-like. It should perhaps even have it's own ominous sound.

      But of course they're not. They're just kinda, there. Silent and wispy like cobwebs up in the corner of the room we never leave.

      I don't mind that comets aren't Hollywood and aren't like Micheal Bay's version of what a comet would be like. But it's sort of sad that aren't even like the comets of history which were supposed to be harbingers of good or bad or whatever. It's freaking hard to look at a comet nowawdays and think that the fate of nations were once influenced by such ephemeral "Can you see it? I can't." things.

    17. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by TapeCutter · · Score: 2, Interesting

      "It was as close to a religious experience as I have ever had."

      My lady friend is a moderate Christian and was in her late thirties when I met her. Although she had occasionally been under them she had never looked up at a dark sky, she also belived I could not "know" the feeling of religious awe because...well...I am not religions. When I showed her a dark sky and described our physical place in the milky way she was gob-smacked and she knew that I knew. We were also lucky enough to spot about a dozen leonoids over a few hours.

      There were a few dozen people on the beach in 2007 but she is the only person I know in Melbourne who saw McNaught that night. Some of my friends/family saw a much dimmer version about a week later but most people belive it was "another over-hyped dissapointment" (as the OP puts it).

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
    18. Re:Mag 6 is *not* naked eye visible by Quirkz · · Score: 1

      I'm up at about 7000 feet, about 6 miles outside of Durango, CO, which is a pretty small town. Even with a streetlight and a couple of porch lights in our little cul-de-sac, I can still see the milky way on any night that's not cloudy. It's lovely, truly. The only problem for the comet watching is going to be the "low" part -- too many trees on all sides to get a good view of anything not high in the sky.

      --
      The Quirkz Handbook of Self-Improvement for People Who Are Already Pretty Okay
  4. I hope the machines don't come alive...... by Shakrai · · Score: 3, Funny

    Reference for those too young to remember it ;)

    I'll make a mental note to stay away from 18 wheelers for the next few weeks :P

    --
    I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
    We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
    1. Re:I hope the machines don't come alive...... by belligerent0001 · · Score: 1

      18 wheelers = instant death...I would worry about those damn lawnmowers and electric kitchen knives....they would hurt more. Oh yeah...and avoid vending machines too. This of the pain that a rogue bag of corn chips or a pack of Ho-Ho's might cause!

      --
      "...a civilian some of the time, a soldier part of the time and a patriot all of the time." -Brig. Gen. James Drain
    2. Re:I hope the machines don't come alive...... by Shakrai · · Score: 1

      Oh yeah...and avoid vending machines too

      Especially this one ;)

      --
      I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
      We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
    3. Re:I hope the machines don't come alive...... by Anonymous+Meoward · · Score: 1

      Thanks for reminding me of that movie. And that I'll never ever be able to un-watch it.

      Jerk.

      --
      --- The American Way of Life is not a birthright. Hell, it's not even sustainable.
    4. Re:I hope the machines don't come alive...... by NCG_Mike · · Score: 1

      I'd be more worried about the Triffids.

    5. Re:I hope the machines don't come alive...... by LotsOfPhil · · Score: 1

      Oh yeah...and avoid vending machines too. This of the pain that a rogue bag of corn chips or a pack of Ho-Ho's might cause!

      Your tone seems too glib seeing that the vending machine mowed down a Little League team with a salvo of soda cans...

      --
      This post climbed Mt. Washington.
    6. Re:I hope the machines don't come alive...... by belligerent0001 · · Score: 1

      I figure that once you are dead from a Mt.Dew to the forehead the pain will stop pretty sudden like. Getting pelted with bag after bag of Doritos on the other hand could leave some serious cuts....and even worse, if one of those bags busts open the salty Doritoey goodness will burn like hell! No thanks man...I will take the Mt.Dew to the head any day....get it all over nice and quick!

      --
      "...a civilian some of the time, a soldier part of the time and a patriot all of the time." -Brig. Gen. James Drain
    7. Re:I hope the machines don't come alive...... by ShadowBlasko · · Score: 1

      I really wanted to see a bowling ball return in that scene somewhere.

      --
      There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order- Ed Howdershelt Via Tass
  5. You donÂt say... by dj015 · · Score: 1

    From TFA "Astronomers at the Taipei Astronomical Museum said the tail of Lulin would be most visible during the time it moves closest to the Earth."

    1. Re:You donÂt say... by Igarden2 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Sometimes comets are not 'most visible' when closest to the earth. I believe it depends also on how much the 'tail' has developed (usually a function of proximity to the sun) and it's apparent position relative to day and night in our sky. Comets just don't appear as bright in our day sky as in the night sky. FYI, there have been some spectacular comets clearly visible in the daytime.

      --
      Normally I ascribe all life to intelligent design, but in your case I'll make an exception.
  6. Oh Hai by bigdaddyhame · · Score: 4, Funny

    I hope this doesn't set off a lulcomets meme or somethin'

    (comet pic)
    OH HAI JUZ PASSIN THRU KTHXBYE

    I'm lulin'

    --
    ---- You are fully entitled to my opinion.
    1. Re:Oh Hai by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Since when did 'meme' become 'talk in a kiddie language'? HAHA JUS PASSIN THRU LIKE A COMET HAHA

    2. Re:Oh Hai by TheoMurpse · · Score: 1

      Since Caturday got boingboinged into Lolcats. And I can't believe that sentence makes any sense.

  7. Comet viewing can be incredible... by fractalrock · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I was in the Navy, out at sea (probably Atlantic) when Hale-Bopp was visible.

    A few of the guys I worked with would venture out on deck at night, usually to sip whiskey or stargaze, or talk about how much we hated the Nav. Anyway, I've seen comets before so when a buddy said 'you should really come outside and see the comet' I was thinking 'meh...'

    When I stepped outside, I initially thought the moon was out it was so bright on deck. I look up at the sky and almost fell down (seriously...had to catch myself). The comet was so bright and beautiful it damn near took my breath away. It stretched 3/4 of the way across the visible sky; looking like some kind of cosmic jewel.

    I got to see a lot of interesting things while serving, but the comet was a definite highlight.

    1. Re:Comet viewing can be incredible... by laejoh · · Score: 1

      I can hear a song coming up!

      IN THE NAVY

      Where can you find pleasure, search the world for treasure,

      learn science, technology?

      Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true

      on the land or on the sea?

    2. Re:Comet viewing can be incredible... by Shakrai · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I'd like to get out to sea someday just to see the sky without light pollution. Your story isn't the first one I've heard that makes me jealous I've never made it. The closest you can come on land is probably the Australian Outback. Every year I've tried to get up to the Adirondacks for the same reason and every time I've made it we've had full cloud cover :(

      In my area it's not as bad -- you can actually drive 15 minutes and escape the worst of the city lights -- but it's still not the same as being out in the real boonies or out to sea. I feel real bad for the city dwellers that have never even seen the Milky Way or more than a handful of stars.

      --
      I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
      We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
    3. Re:Comet viewing can be incredible... by ZekoMal · · Score: 1
      Man, I should set up a little camp in my front yard.

      The closest man made light you can see is our neighbor's lights inside their house. Otherwise, on a clear night, you can see every star available to us.

      Hopefully we don't have 6 feet of snow on this day, of course.

    4. Re:Comet viewing can be incredible... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      I'd like to get out to sea someday just to see the sky without light pollution. Your story isn't the first one I've heard that makes me jealous I've never made it. The closest you can come on land is probably the Australian Outback.

      My first trip to the Outback, we were traveling at night. We pulled the car off the road, turned out the lights and got out to look at the sky.

      The view was so breathtaking, my legs got a wobbly.

      Not only was it massively full of stuff I normally can't see, it was completely alien to my Northern Hemisphere-centric eyes. All of my normal star guideposts were either missing or not where they should've been. Completely disorienting--like being on another planet--but ultimately cool.

      If you can afford it, I highly recommend a trip to Oz. The night skies are just one of the many highlights.

    5. Re:Comet viewing can be incredible... by afidel · · Score: 1

      Likewise the western desert is amazing, both on the far side of Death Valley from Vegas as well as about halfway between Vegas and the North Rim. The scenery there is great during the day and at night you get some of the best views of the night sky possible due to extremely low moisture and the lack of any human activity.

      --
      There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
    6. Re:Comet viewing can be incredible... by Mikkeles · · Score: 1

      'I was in the Navy, out at sea (probably Atlantic) ...'

      So, you were a navigator?

      --
      Great minds think alike; fools seldom differ.
    7. Re:Comet viewing can be incredible... by treeves · · Score: 1

      What about those of us who served in submarines, you insensitive clod! Just kidding. I wish I had seen it that way. I saw from up in the Cascades in Oregon and took a decent (not good) long exposure photograph of it.

      --
      ...the future crusty old bastards are already drinking the Kool-Aid.
    8. Re:Comet viewing can be incredible... by fractalrock · · Score: 1

      Heheh...well, actually I was a nuclear operator .

      The strange thing is, the nukes (guys stuck deepest in the ship) were the only ones who would go outside at night to look around...

    9. Re:Comet viewing can be incredible... by TheoMurpse · · Score: 1

      The closest you can come on land is probably the Australian Outback

      I think this image reveals other places you could go.

      I imagine parts of Africa in the Sahara, Nunavut (Canada), Northcentral Russia, Western China, all of Antarctica, and a couple of the -stans would also afford you a nice view. And at least one of those locations is politically friendly to practically everyone, so vacationing wouldn't be a problem for that reason!

    10. Re:Comet viewing can be incredible... by niktemadur · · Score: 1

      By far, Hale-Bopp has been the absolute highlight of my comet-watching experience.

      There's a thought that's haunted me since I read the Nemesis theory, that a brown dwarf companion to the sun (that would be Nemesis) swings in and out of the Oort Cloud in the course of its' highly elliptical orbit, sending a swarm of comets hurtling into the inner Solar System every time it swings towards us. This goes a long way in explaining the apparent regularity of mass extinctions on Earth.

      Anyway, picture a sky with dozens of comets all at once. Spectacular? Unimaginably so. The scariest thing ever seen by any living being in Earth's history? That, too. For a few years, they'll just keep on coming, and one of those babies is on a collision course with Earth, sooner rather than later.

      Now what would an ELE (Extinction Level Event) caliber comet look like when it's at Moon distance? Visualize the coma filling the sky, enjoy the magnificence of the sight, and BTW, the doomsday clock is just an instant away from midnight for your species. May I suggest a bottle of Laphroaigh that night? Oh, screw it, better pull out all the stops and go for the Caol Ila 25 Year Old.

      Yeah it's a morbid thought, but if the cometary extinction theory is correct, as well as the Nemesis one, that is exactly how the skies have looked like in the past, on a regular basis, and will look like again, over and over. Unless, of course, we as a species leave the cradle and embark on a project in the far future to sweep the Oort Cloud clean, and the Kuiper Belt too, for that matter. Maybe the Obama administration can look into the matter? (grins) And please, leave a couple of comets in safe orbits out there, if only for show.

      --
      Lil' Thindime, lilting a lacrimose lament, krashes the kwaint konfines of Kokonino Kounty
    11. Re:Comet viewing can be incredible... by fishbowl · · Score: 1

      I saw Hale-Bopp while driving in a very dark part of the country. For most of my trip, the comet happened to be in my peripheral view, which, once I got used to it, turned out to be a good way to see it. It really was amazing, but nothing to base a doomsday cult on.

      --
      -fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.
  8. Fair Warning from cartoons... by Notquitecajun · · Score: 1

    From the Thundarr the Barbarian cartoon...as a warning...

    The year: 1994. From out of space comes a runaway planet, hurtling between the Earth and the Moon, unleashing cosmic destruction! Man's civilization is cast in ruin! BE PREPARED!

    1. Re:Fair Warning from cartoons... by Digital_Mercenary · · Score: 1

      Damn Man! I used to luv that show.....
      memories....wow

    2. Re:Fair Warning from cartoons... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's "love".

      "English", motherfucker... do you speak it?

    3. Re:Fair Warning from cartoons... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I thought it increased the ability of those with fire powers to near invincibility. So keep an eye out on all those pyro-freaks out there. ...Oh wait, that's Comet Sozin. Nevermind.

  9. Punch anyone? by MaxwellEdison · · Score: 1

    Bah! Magnitude 6? We'll never be able to see the spaceship following in its tail then. Man...what am I gonna do with all this punch...

    --
    -=Bang Bang=-
    1. Re:Punch anyone? by gpronger · · Score: 2, Informative

      Spike it. You'll get more showing up than if it was simply if it visible. And if you spike it strong enough, they'll think that saw it. Where you located, I may show up if you follow my advice?

      Greg P

    2. Re:Punch anyone? by TheoMurpse · · Score: 1

      I'd avoid at all costs, as the clear reference of GP is to a certain cult that committed mass suicide in the 90s. Unless, of course, you want to die...

      Now that I think about it, this was the first instance I'm aware of of "hear about death and visit the dead person's webpage" that was possible. Does anyone else remember going here after you heard the terrible news? Oh, 1997.

  10. In the immortal words of Monty Python... by pig-power · · Score: 0

    "RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY!!"

  11. Where is Aerosmith? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is Bruce Willis on standby?

  12. Ride to heaven!!! by moxley · · Score: 1

    I've got the Flavor-Aid and cyanide....You guys just bring your sneakers and death shrouds...

    Also, we're making a DVD by the way, so shave your heads and get that nutty twinkle back in your eye!!! We want to look good for our ride to heaven!!

  13. Seriously, though... by RandoX · · Score: 1

    What are the chances that the "Lulin Sky Survey" would discover Comet Lulin? I think they knew it was coming.

  14. That reminds me .... by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 1

    I need to buy some new Nike's.

    --
    Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    1. Re:That reminds me .... by aquatone282 · · Score: 1

      Just Do It.

      --
      What?
  15. So the difference... by wren337 · · Score: 2, Informative

    ...between "stargazers are in for a treat" and "terrified population faces end of days" is about 0.41 Astronomical Units. Interesting.

  16. Anti-tail? by thewiz · · Score: 2, Funny

    The photogenic Lulin has a bright tail and an "anti-tail".

    Are astrophysicists sure this isn't a fin?

    [Insert "Jaws" theme here]

    --
    If "disco" means "I learn" in Latin, does "discothèque" mean "I learn technology"?
  17. Distance- Does Not Compute by DrLudicrous · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The comet will pass 0.41 Astronomical Units from earth and reach its closest distance to Earth on February 24, about 14.5 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.

    Given that the average earth-moon distance is 384403 km, 14.5 times this is about 5.57 million km. This translates into about 0.0373 AU, which differs from .41 AU by about a factor of 11. Can anyone explain this discrepancy?

    1. Re:Distance- Does Not Compute by gzipped_tar · · Score: 1

      You're right. 0.41 AU is roughly 160 times the Earth-Moon distance.

      I guess the journalist misunderstood something. Hmm, they usually do so when it's science-related news.

      --
      Colorless green Cthulhu waits dreaming furiously.
    2. Re:Distance- Does Not Compute by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 1

      I'd tend the believe the reporter got it wrong, but every where else seems to agree on 0.41 AU number.

  18. Six? Big deal... by superdave80 · · Score: 1

    My comet goes all the way up to eleven.

  19. and here i thought by xaositects · · Score: 1

    /. was the anti-tail

  20. Re:Six? Big deal... by TheoMurpse · · Score: 1

    Except that in this context, eleven is decidedly worse than six. Unless you prefer your metaphorical comets to be less visible, that is...