[MIham] A Comet Approaches

[Frank]

Space Weather News for Jan. 9, 2009
http://spaceweather.com

APPROACHING COMET:  Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3), discovered in 2007 by a 
collaborative team of Taiwanese and Chinese astronomers, is swinging around 
the sun and approaching Earth. The photogenic comet has a bright tail and an 
"anti-tail" visible in mid-sized backyard telescopes.  At closest approach 
in February, Comet Lulin is expected to brighten to naked-eye visibility. 
Visit http://Spaceweather.com for sky maps, pictures and more information.

NEW SUNSPOTS:  For the second time this week, a sunspot is coalescing on the 
surface of the sun.  The spot's high latitude and magnetic polarity identify 
it as a member of new Solar Cycle 24; its appearance continues a recent 
trend of gradually intensifying new-cycle solar activity.  The spot is 
growing rapidly and may soon provide a nice target for backyard solar 
telescopes.

FULL MOON ALERT!  This weekend's full Moon is the biggest and brightest of 
2009. It's a "perigee Moon" as much as 50,000 km  closer to Earth than other 
full Moons we'll see later this year.   Perigee moonlight shining through 
icy winter air can produce beautiful halos, coronas, moondogs and other 
atmospheric optics phenomena.  Sample photos are featured on today's edition 
of Spaceweather.com.