Step outside tonight and see the Comet Lulin...

(image found on christian science monitor)

Tonight the night skys will have a new visitor passing by its vast display. The Comet Lulin will be passing by the Earth tonight and will be so close that scientists are saying it will be visible by the naked eye for people living in the southeast portions of the United States. Nasa has suggested that the comet will be at about 45 degrees to the horizon at 11pm eastern time.

(image found on newsoxy.com)

There will be alot of astronomers in Texas and Florida bracing to get a look see as the comet comes within 38 million miles of the Earth. The comet has a green color which is being produced by various gases (diatomic carbon and cyanogen) and being illuminated by the Sun creating a glowing effect as it travels through space dropping approximately 800 gallons of water/second.

Observers will be able to view the comet over the next 3 days. The comet was actually discovered in 2007 by a Chinese teenager.

"Lulin got its name from the Lulin Observatory in Taiwan. It will mark its first visit to the inner solar system and its first exposure to intense sunlight. Most planets and objects circle counterclockwise in space, however, Lulin is so unique that it spins clockwise."

"One Astronomer in Florida is hoping to video record the eventful night. David Myers, who spend nearly $2,000 on a telescope and video equipment, works for Harris Corp during the day in Palm Bay, Florida. At night, he tracks the stars and reads about space exploration on the NASA Web site. He is one of thousands of hobby astronomers who will monitor Comet Lulin throughout the evening.

"I bought my first telescope when I was 13-years-old," Myers said. "I've been addicted to the stars ever since."

The astronomer hopes to record a video of the comet and says, "This only happens once in a lifetime. I want to preserve this moment for my grandchildren and for them to treasure it for their children," Myers said. The amateur astronomer plans to submit his work to the YouTube video sharing site."

So the good thing is if you miss the event be sure to search YouTube for peoples clips of the event. Hopefully, the footage will be of a good quality when shot by the various astronomers that are viewing this amazing event.

Comet Lulin poses for NASA's Swift (The Register)
Comet Lulin Illuminates From 38 Million Miles Away (Newsoxy.com)
Comet Lulin arrives tonight - break out your telescopes (Christian Science Monitor)
Comet Lulin Should Be Visible To Naked Eye Monday Night (Alheadnews)