The show has began!

I personally consider that this is one of the best photographs of comet Lulin taken so far:

click on the image for a larger view

In this photo you can see something like a structure in the atmosphere or coma of the comet.  Amazing view by Jack Newton, Arizona Sky Village Portal, Feb. 18, 2009.

A wallpaper for you computer

Jack Newton kindly approved the idea of making a wallpaper for from his photograph for your computer screens, and I have prepared it for the following resolutions:

• 1024x768
• 1280x1024
• 1280x800

Feel free to share them and to get other people involved with the comet-Lulin-mania!

The finder charts are here

The next finder charts allow you to track the comet in the sky with your telescope or binoculars.  They report the position of the comet in the sky relative to the constellations at 00:00 UT (as seen from Earth! :-) and its expected visual magnitude.  The real brightness of the comet will depend on its composition and its development of the coma and tails (read here).  The charts are made in black and white so that you can print them conveniently.  Click on each image to get the finder chart and enjoy the show!

From January 11th to February 20th, 2009

From February 20th to March 18th, 2009

Click on the finder chart

For further convenience I have prepared the following PDF files with the finder charts, so that it is even easier for you to print a full letter-size page with them:

• Finder chart from January 11th to February 20th, 2009
• Finder chart from February 20th to March 18th, 2009

Your comments and suggestions are welcome at gregorio at astrodrayer dot com.

To learn more about comets in general please visit the introduction to comets page.