Special Ed
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Reged: 05/18/03
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
#2832330 - 12/30/08 09:44 AM
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Hi,
There's a comet beginning to make an appearance for northern hemisphere observers--it might become a bright one. I made this sketch and observation early this AM and posted it in the Solar System and Planetary Observing forum.
I worked with HB and 2B pencils and a stump on white Artagain sketch paper and inverted things digitally (also applied 5% blur).
It was cold and I can't sketch with gloves usually, so I kept a HotHands chemical warmer in the muff I wear around my midsection and was able to keep my fingers functioning.
Let me know what you think.
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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06
Loc: Illinois
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: Special Ed]
#2833247 - 12/30/08 06:57 PM
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Michael,
Very nice sketch of this early morning comet. Your techniques always impress me and work so very well. I know what you mean about sketching in the cold, below 25 degrees F I start having trouble with numb fingers. This comet will be fun to follow.
Frank
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jcrew
sage
Reged: 08/07/08
Loc: Mechanicsville, VA.
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: frank5817]
#2833974 - 12/31/08 08:33 AM
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Micahel, thank you for posting this. I hope you keep track of this and give us updated drawings. Very beautiful work !
Thanks, Brad
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Special Ed
Postmaster
   
Reged: 05/18/03
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: jcrew]
#2834410 - 12/31/08 12:35 PM
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Frank, Brad--thank you very much. I'd like to make several observations of C/2007 N3 but you never know about comets--this one might fizzle (hope not).
Frank, try the handwarmers--it's really nice to have something hot to grab onto when your hands start to chill and it puts the feeling right back into my fingers.
Happy New Year, everyone!
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CarlosEH
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Reged: 01/19/05
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: Special Ed]
#2834800 - 12/31/08 03:33 PM
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Michael,
An excellent observation of this interesting new comet. I hope that it does brighten for all of us to follow it. Thank you for sharing it with us all.
Happy New Year!
Links; http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2007N3/2007N3.html http://cometography.com/lcomets/2007n3.html http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?orb=1;sstr=2007+N3
Carlos
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Special Ed
Postmaster
   
Reged: 05/18/03
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: CarlosEH]
#2835149 - 12/31/08 06:08 PM
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Carlos,
Thank you for the compliment and for the very interesting links. Here's to a bright comet for the New Year!
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Tommy5
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/28/04
Loc: Chicagoland
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: Special Ed]
#2835172 - 12/31/08 06:16 PM
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You are an early bird, gret sketch of a promising comet,thanks for the first view.
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Special Ed
Postmaster
   
Reged: 05/18/03
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: Tommy5]
#2836313 - 01/01/09 11:00 AM
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Thanks, T5. In my advancing old age, it seem to be easier for me to get up early than to stay up late... 
I took another look at our icy visitor from the outer reaches of the solar system and made this update to my sketch.
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CarlosEH
Postmaster
   
Reged: 01/19/05
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: Special Ed]
#2836827 - 01/01/09 03:15 PM
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Michael,
Thank you for the update on Comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin). I look forward to observing this comet soon.
Carlos
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Special Ed
Postmaster
   
Reged: 05/18/03
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: CarlosEH]
#2840372 - 01/03/09 09:50 AM
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Thanks, Carlos. I'd like to see your take on this comet. 
I made a new observation and sketch this morning posted here. Media were the same.
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markseibold
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/19/08
Loc: Portland Oregon
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: Special Ed]
#2841045 - 01/03/09 03:42 PM
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Special Ed
Very nice sketch! I just posted to another link with your sketch where Rev Aaron had started the post to alert observers. It looks as if from projected charts that the comet could reach peak brighteness in February as it moves from Virgo toward Leo and close to Saturn.
I noticed that it is difficult to find dates or RA ~ DEC on comet posts in the web as I am always curious to know, where exactly is it in the sky currently? And why no dates in these sites? I would think that astronomers would be the most astute about posting dates especially as comets positions change constantly. The three sites that Carlos listed are useful though; Thanks Carlos!
Links;
http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2007N3/2007N3.html
http://cometography.com/lcomets/2007n3.html
http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?orb=1;sstr=2007+N3
I found a nice rough and fine charts but again no dates >
http://www.heavens-above.com/comet.aspx?cid=C%2F2007%20N3&lat=0&lng=0&loc=Unspecified&alt=0&tz=CET
Thanks again to all for the heads up; I'll look forward to observing the comet, as weather permits,
Mark
Edited by markseibold (01/03/09 03:56 PM)
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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06
Loc: Illinois
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: markseibold]
#2841657 - 01/03/09 08:35 PM
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Hi Mark,
If you go to this Ephemeris site http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/iau/Ephemerides/Comets/2007N3.html you will find below the orbital elements a good Ephemeris which includes RA and Dec for selected dates throughout the year. Using a transparent film you can plot these on your favorite star chart for locating on any date by extrapolation. The Heavens above site you copied above gives the coordinates for the date and time you are looking. Look at the data under the first image. I hope this helps.
Frank
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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06
Loc: Illinois
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: frank5817]
#2841677 - 01/03/09 08:46 PM
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Michael,
Nice update to the sketch sequence you have started. I may need to wait a few more days to get a clear morning and a look for myself. Keep going if you can. 
Frank
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Special Ed
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Reged: 05/18/03
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08-01.03.09
[Re: frank5817]
#2842013 - 01/03/09 11:59 PM
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Thanks, Mark. The charts posted on Heavens Above are for the current day you view the chart. I posted a link on the Planetary and Solar System Observing forum to another chart that will take you through January 31st. Good luck!
Frank, thanks for the encouragement. I hope you get the weather and opportunity to see Comet Lulin soon. The Moon will shortly become a limiting factor, but after that, Lulin will be higher in the sky and hopefully brighter.
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WadeVC
Carpal Tunnel
  
Reged: 12/02/05
Loc: Lodi, California,
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: Special Ed]
#2843213 - 01/04/09 04:24 PM
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Ed,
Not only is that an excellent sketch, you have given me a new target to look for (providing the clouds go away).
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Special Ed
Postmaster
   
Reged: 05/18/03
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: WadeVC]
#2846294 - 01/05/09 11:06 PM
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Thank you, Wade. I hope you get a chance to go for this comet. The Moon won't be a factor for a couple more days if you can catch a clear morning and don't mind getting up with the chickens.
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Special Ed
Postmaster
   
Reged: 05/18/03
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 23 Jan. 09
[Re: Special Ed]
#2884016 - 01/23/09 10:17 PM
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Hi,
I posted a new sketch of Comet Lulin done with 2B and HB pencils and a stump and inverted.
The moon is out of the picture now so it's a good time to go comet chasing.
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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 23 Jan. 09
[Re: Special Ed]
#2884342 - 01/24/09 02:07 AM
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Michael,
Another fine sketch of this morning comet. Tried to catch it the last 3 morning but all three were cloudy. Eventually I'll get a look. Thank you for posting your excellent capture here. 
Frank
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markseibold
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/19/08
Loc: Portland Oregon
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 12.30.08
[Re: frank5817]
#2884449 - 01/24/09 06:17 AM
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Frank and others
Thanks for the Ephemeris on Comet Lulin. It has taken me three weeks to get back to this post to catch up on responses!
I've been lost in space and so many other things lately.
Mark
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Special Ed
Postmaster
   
Reged: 05/18/03
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Re: C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Obs. 23 Jan. 09
[Re: frank5817]
#2884580 - 01/24/09 08:58 AM
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Thanks, Frank. The comet's getting better so don't worry about clouds making you miss anything.
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