Another comet is making a pass. C/2007 N3 or Lulin has rounded the Sun opposite Earth (bread and butter) and now is set to pass close to us on it's way back to where ever. This image was taken in 2007

The last image I took was before it disappeared last year.


If you go to this link the orbit in animation can be better understood.
http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=C%2F2007+N3&orb=1

This comet will probably be naked eye at some point over the next two months and be well placed for our skys. Also Lulin orbits along the ecliptic plane and will give the appearence of an antitail (a Sun facing tail). This one will be a good comet for small scopes, binoculars and even the naked eye.

Clear skys
Mike H.

Mike,

Any idea of the magnitude when it comes into view coming back around?

Fred Hunt
Charleston, AR

Hello. It is back in the S/E sky just before daybreak and each day will rise earlier. The magnitude is reported at around 7th mag with brighter reports. I see spaceweather.com has an image today and this image also shows the antitail. Good luck with this comet. Could be the best of the year that we know of.

Mike