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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."

7 of 97 comments (clear)

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

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

  2. 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 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.
    2. 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)

  3. 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.
  4. 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.

  5. 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.