Telescope Reviews: C/2007 N3 (Lulin)

I haven't posted my observations of the comet here before, so let me tell my short story...
The comet was a good one (who knows - maybe the best in 2009), but the results are a bit disappointing because during the comet's visibility period the weather in Poltava was very bad, so I had only 3 observing sessions in February (none before) and several more in March.

My ICQ-formatted observations (only first 3 of them are enough precise):
2007N3 2009 02 17.98 S 6.0 TK 7.6L 9 35 &12 4 ICQ XX KOSXX
2007N3 2009 02 19.95 S 5.8:HI 7.6L 9 35 &13 3/ ICQ XX KOSXX
2007N3 2009 02 23.90 S 5.4 TK 7.6L 9 35 &13 4/ ICQ XX KOSXX
2007N3 2009 03 11.85 S 6.8:TK 7.6L 9 35 & 7 2 ICQ XX KOSXX
2007N3 2009 03 22.95 S 7.8:TK 9.0B 5 20 & 6 2 ICQ XX KOSXX

All observations are made from Poltava (Bortle class sky 6) with 76mm Newton reflector scope (except of the last one), in February I observed it also with 22x32B. Have never seen it with naked eye (light pollution).

Feb.17/18 was my first and the best observing session of C/2007N3 (Lulin). NELM ~5.3, ML=11.1m (telescope). The comet had large moderately diffuse coma, CC was visible (dia. ~2'), faint starlike false nucleus (~11m) was barely visible inside. No tails seen. Comet was moving very quickly - noticeable movement at 35x magnif. during 1-2 hours (20'). With binoculars (22x32) there weren't much details, but it was visible good on clear nights.

on Feb.19/20 the comet was almost the same, but cirrus clouds interferred

Feb.23/24 was a great day for a comet (both closest to Earth at 0.41AU and conjunction with Saturn at ~2deg.), and I had a luck to get clear skies, but the frost (-12*C) and haze made a little problem.
NELM ~4.5, ML~10.2m (telescope). The comet was a bit brighter, it had large moderately diffuse coma, with distinct brightening towards center, central condensation ~2...3', faint starlike false nucleus (~10m) inside (barely visible). No tails seen. Still moving quickly. Viewing the comet in the same binoculars FOV together with Saturn was a memorable sight!

Mar.11/12 - clear night but great interferrence of the full Moon. ML=10.5m (telescope). The comet was faint and undistinct (too bright sky background).

I had also a glimpe at the comet on Mar.18/19 and 23/24, but the conditions were poor hence the comet was very faint to me.

Mar.22/23 was not a usual observation because I bought a new 20x90 binoculars on that night and then I thought why don't test it at the comet...

Though the comet was only at 15-20 deg. altitude and the moderate LP was present there. The sky transparency was good, ZNELM=5.5+, ML=10.5m (bino. - in the comet's FOV). Small diffuse coma, with brightening towards center.

Sketches (except of Mar.22/23) are available at my website

I'm not sure I will see the comet furthermore, thus this post can be a summary of all my observations.

Edited by Roman White (03/29/09 08:17 AM)