[MIham] Comet Lulin Update

[Frank]

Space Weather News for Feb. 18, 2009
http://spaceweather.com

COMET LULIN UPDATE:  Comet Lulin is approaching Earth and brightening 
rapidly.  Observers say it is now visible to the naked eye as a faint 
(magnitude +5.6) gassy patch in the constellation Virgo before dawn. Even 
city dwellers have seen it.  Backyard telescopes reveal a vivid green comet 
in obvious motion. Just yesterday, amateur astronomers watched as a solar 
wind gust tore away part of the comet's tail, the second time this month 
such a thing has happened. Lulin's closest approach to Earth (38 million 
miles) is on Feb. 24th; at that time the comet could be two or three times 
brighter than it is now.  Browse the gallery for the latest images: 
http://spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_lulin_page8.htm

SATELLITE DEBRIS:  More than a week has passed since the Feb. 10th collision 
of Iridium 33 and Kosmos 2251 over northern Siberia, and the orbits of some 
of the largest fragments have now been measured by US Strategic Command. 
Today's edition of http://Spaceweather.com features global maps showing 
where the debris is located. Only 26 fragments are currently plotted, but 
that number will grow as radar tracking of the debris continues.  Check back 
often for updates.