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Rare Comet Streaks Into View

The Lulin comet travels past Saturn starting tomorrow

By Amelia Atlas,  Newser User

Posted Feb 22, 2009 5:44 PM CST
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(Newser) – Comet Lulin will travel into sight tomorrow, says Wired. The rare chance for a glimpse comes as the comet passes 38 million miles from Earth, traveling south-southwest of Saturn and visible to the naked eye at night. NASA astronomers, tracking the comet with the Swift Gamma-Ray Explorer satellite, report that the comet is dumping 800 gallons of water per second—enough to fill an Olympic swimming pool in less than 15 minutes.

Comet Lulin as it passes through the constellation Libra when Swift imaged it. An optical illusion makes it appear as if the comet's tail is in the front as the comet approaches Earth and the sun.
Comet Lulin as it passes through the constellation Libra when Swift imaged it. An optical illusion makes it appear as if the comet's tail is in the front as the comet approaches Earth and the sun.   (AP Photo/NASA)
A gamma-ray burst captured by NASA's Swift explorer, which has been documenting Comet Lulin.
A gamma-ray burst captured by NASA's Swift explorer, which has been documenting Comet Lulin.   (AP Photo/NASA/Swift - Stefan Immler)
An artist rendition shows the main bodies of the solar system, the Sun, Mercury, Venus, the Earth, from left in foreground, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars, from left in background.
An artist rendition shows the main bodies of the solar system, the Sun, Mercury, Venus, the Earth, from left in foreground, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars, from left in background.   (AP Photo/ESA/HO)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
riffran
Feb 23, 2009 1:26 AM CST
but the article says nothing about it's poisonous glowing green cyanogen atmosphere.....hmmmmm is that where Bruce banner lives now as the Hulk....lol

Images of comet released
New Scientist

Comet to be visible in dark skies
Fox News

 
NASA • Saturn • satellite • Comet Lulin

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