Comet C/2007 N3 Lulin
Sketch and Details by Juan Perez “Juanchin”
Object: C/2007 N3 LULIN
Date: Jan 29, 2009
Time: 06:15 LST / 13:15 UTC
Location: El Mirage Arizona
Instrument: Orion 25×100 binoculars 2.5deg FOV
Detector: Visual Observation
Magnitude: ~7.5 –8
Weather : clear skies, biting winds, temp. 45degF
Comments:
I’ ve been keeping an eye on Lulin for the past few days and, I have yet to discern whether a tail is visible from this semi-urban town. Averted vision is playing tricks with me. I’d like to say that I see a tail pointing East but I’m in doubt. The diffused coma appears to have an oblong shape to it. Somehow this comet is supposed to brighten but today it seemed to be in the magnitude of around 8. Last week the comet was like in the magnitude of 7 and looked compact and pronounced on my binoculars. As I was sketching an Iridium flare passed right through my view from a West to Northernly direction. – Awsome!
Juan,
Good sketch. Interesting observe log. Thanks! 😀
I am still waiting for good weather to see the comet.
Marek
ps. I think, the text inside the view is too small and the contrast is not good.
Juan,
Very nice sketch of comet Lulin. Let us hope it is not beginning to fade already. That Iridium satellite must have caught you by surprise.
Frank