Tonight marks a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those of us in North America.
Comet Lulin – a weird, backward-traveling comet – will make its closest approach to Earth this evening.
Although it will be 38 million miles away, it should still be visible with the naked eye if it’s dark enough where you live. If not, you should certainly be able to see it with the aid of a pair of binoculars.
Just look to the west-southwest and Comet Lulin will be just to the right of the planet Saturn, flying in between the constellations of Virgo and Leo.
Comet Lulin was discovered in 2007 by Chinese and Taiwanese astronomers. The comet has had enough of our solar system, apparently, as it seems to be headed out of the solar system for good. Happy stargazing!
Related articles by Zemanta
- Get a Great View of a Comet with Binoculars, Starting Monday [Space] (i.gizmodo.com)
- Newfound Comet Lulin to Grace Night Skies (space.com)
- Get your binoculars: “New” comet pays a visit (sciam.com)
Incoming search terms:
Get Blippitt via RSS feed, Facebook, Twitter, Google+,
and be sure to get our Daily Email Broadcast.
