[meteorite-list] Comet Lulin/Satellite Debris Update - February 18, 2009

[Ron Baalke]

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.