Comet Lulin 16.2.09
Comet Lulin:On 16 February 2009 at 1:25 local time Comet Lulin reached a position (RA 13deg 34´ 41´´, Dec -8deg 58´43´´) close to the bright star Spica in the constellation of Virgo. From 1:50 to 2:30 these images were taken.
In the night of 23.2.09 the comet will, near its highest brightness, stand 2 degree south-southwest of Saturn. On 24.2.09 it reaches its shortest distance to earth of about 61 mio Km and its highest brightness (mag 5). The comet is within the orbit of Mars and reaches on 25.2.09 opposition to the sun. Then it leaves quickly earth and sun and will never return.
Lulin can very well be observed right now with binoculars and small telescopes.
The image has been elected "Astrophoto of the week" by astronomie.de
Object |
Comet Lulin 16.2.09 |
|---|---|
Catagory |
Sun, Moon, Planets |
Designation |
C/2007 N3 (Lulin) 10f2 |
Constellation |
Virgo |
Optics |
TMB 130 f/6 with Field Flattener |
Camera |
SBIG STL 11000M with internal CFW 5 |
Exposure |
5 x 2min each (1x1 bin) Astrodon True Balance LRGB filterset. Maxim DL for image aquisition |
Calibration |
Dark frame |
|---|---|
Guiding |
No |
Mount |
Astro-Physics 900 GTO |
Processing |
Maxim DL5, Photoshop. Color code LRGB |
Location, Date |
Somerset West, South Africa - 16 Feb 2009 |
Remark |
Composit from 1 LRGB frame (2min each) with 5 on comet aligned and stacked starfield-stripped LRGB frames |
