[meteorite-list] LOVEJOY LIVES!

[Sterling K. Webb]

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