[meteorite-list] Comet Lovejoy update

[Matson, Robert D.]

Thanks, Sterling!  Latest estimate on Comet Lovejoy's brightness is that
it
has reached magnitude +1, and we're looking for the first hints of
blooming
artifacts in SOHO LASCO C3 that will indicate that the comet has
brightened
into the negative magnitudes.

Later today I expect to get an update from Karl Battams at NRL with the
STEREO-B images from 13 December. When I do, I will append them to the
existing movie. I'll also put together a movie from LASCO C3, and
perhaps
Jim Wooddell will be kind enough to host it as well.

As for the closest approach distance of Lovejoy to the surface of the
sun,
there are some estimates out there that the distance will be effectively
zero -- a true surface-grazer. As such, the chances for survival past
perihelion are zero, unfortunately.

Best wishes,
Rob

-----Original Message-----
From: Sterling K. Webb [mailto:sterling_k_webb at sbcglobal.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 4:18 PM
To: Matson, Robert D.; Meteorite Mailing List
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Link to Comet Lovejoy movie

Thanks for that clip. It's much better than
the others I've found on various websites.
It gives one a sense of what poor old Lovejoy
is heading into!

Yes, it's unlikely there will be anything left
after it passes only 87,000  miles above the
solar surface, but it would a fine Christmas
present if there was a brief negative magnitude
comet show afterwards.

Sterling K. Webb