Comet Lulin

Discovered by Chinese and Taiwanese astronomers, this comet is an odd one. It moves around the Sun in the opposite direction from the planets, and in a parabolic orbit that suggests this is its first and last visit to the inner solar system. It’s not expected to be a spectacular naked-eye comet, but it may be visible without optics in dark sky in mid-to-late February. But remember… comets are unpredictable. It could flare up and put on a better show than predicted.

Early in the month, the comet moves quickly through Libra, rising around midnight. Then it moves westward, brightening towards mid-month and moving into Virgo and Leo. On the 24th, Lulin passes a couple of degrees south of Saturn; on the 28th, it’s less than 1 degree from Regulus. The comet is moving quickly across the sky at about 5 degrees per day by months end. In a telescope, if you look carefully, you’ll see it’s motion over a period of 10 minutes or so.

The comet already has a small tail and anti-tail.



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