[meteorite-list] LOVEJOY LIVES!

From: Sterling K. Webb <sterling_k_webb_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:53:53 -0600
Message-ID: <9402D99CF26B47B2B61D168C7D47569F_at_ATARIENGINE2>

http://www.space.com/13959-doomed-comet-lovejoy-sun-encounter-wrap.html

<quote>

A newfound comet defied long odds today
(Dec. 15), surviving a suicidal dive through
the sun's hellishly hot atmosphere, according
to NASA scientists. Comet Lovejoy plunged
through the sun's corona at about 7 p.m.
EST today (midnight GMT on Dec. 16) Lovejoy
proved to be made of tough stuff. A video
taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory
(SDO) spacecraft showed the icy object
emerging from behind the sun and zipping
back off into space... The comet might even
be visible from the ground around sunset
today in the Northern Hemisphere.

For observers in North America, the comet
will rise approximately 5 to 10 minutes before
dawn and will be situated to the upper right
of the sun. If Lovejoy is still shining at least
as brightly as Venus, it may be visible, experts
say.
 
You could also try to spot Lovejoy after the sun
comes up, if you're exceedingly careful. Block
the rising sun behind a distant building and
focus on the part of the sky 3 to 4 degrees
above and to the right of the sun (your clenched f
ist held at arm's length is equal to roughly 10
degrees). CAUTION: Never point binoculars or
a telescope at or near the sun, and never look
directly at our star with the naked eye. Serious
eye damage can result.

And don't get your hopes up, either. The comet
may well be too faint to see, experts say.

<unquote>


Sterling K. Webb
Received on Fri 16 Dec 2011 12:53:53 AM PST