Hello folks,

I wonder if anyone else has noticed that we are observing comet C/2007 N3
Lulin "edge-on".
With incredible fortune, the orbital inclination of the comet is 178
degrees. i.e. virtually in the same orbital plane as the Earth.
This means from Earth's perspective, we will observe the comet edge-on
throughout the apparition!
The effect of this is to enhance the surface brightness of the comet and its
dust tail.
Take the deep sky example of an edge-on galaxy being more readily observable
than one that is face-on.

Recently posted images are displaying the sharp sunward pointing dust tail
(antitail) in PA 100, along with the ion tail at PA 280.
The dust tail should remain at approximately PA 100 to 110 and appear as a
sharply defined "needle-like" appendage.
Since most of the dust particles are released in the comets wake, the dust
tail will rapidly lengthen after Lulin's flyby of the Earth on Feb 24,
length uncertain but perhaps a few degrees long.
The ion tail however will appear considerably shortened, since it will be
pointing directly away from the Sun when the comet is located at opposition
on Feb 26.

Looking forward to observing this unusual comet.

Cheers,
Michael Mattiazzo