Base on requests, I am pleased to inform you that a special observation session will be held on the night of 20 Feb 2009. This observation is to observe the close approach of Comet Lulin.

 

It is not very often that we have the chance to see bright comet in our sky. Most of the time, comets are brightest when they approach the Sun. This makes the comet very difficult to see. Comet Lulin is different. On the night of 20 Feb 2009, the comet will rises around 10pm. By midnight, it should be high enough for viewing.  

 

On that night, it should be around mag +5. In layman term, it is bright enough to be seen with naked eye. Using a telescope and good sky condition, do expect to see the head of the comet and maybe a hint of tail.

 

Other than the comet, you’ll be treated with other famous astronomical objects, such as nebulae, galaxies, star clusters and Planet Saturn (bet most of you haven’t not seen Saturn through a scope before). Do pray for clear sky as we will not see a thing if it is too cloudy or raining!

 

Everyone is welcome. If you have a DSLR camera, please bring along, as I will help you take some photos of the comet. Together with USM Astronomy Club members, we will set up several telescopes and binoculars for this purpose. If you have your own equipment, you are more than welcome to bring them.

 

Bring your own food and drinks. Extra clothing will be good as the temperature in the morning can be rather chill ~23 deg.  

 

Here is the info on the observation session

Date: 20 Feb 2009

Time: 10pm till morning!

* you can come and leave anytime

Location: CK Lim Observatory

Add: Pulau Betong, Balik Pulau Penang.

If you are coming from Relau/Paya Terubong

As you reach the town of Balik Pulau, there is a small roundabout. Continue to go straight (12 o’clock) passing through the roundabout, heading towards Teluk Kumbar/Bayan Lepas.

Drive around 2 kilometers.

You’ll pass the Balik Pulau Police Station on the right and then a Petronas Station on the left. Soon after the station, look out for Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara. It’s a big building on the left.

Keep right. There is a small junction at the right. Turn into the junction. You will immediately pass under an arch. This is the town of Ginting. After the arch, you’ll reach a 4 way junction. Turn left toward Kem Bina Negara/Pulau Betong.

Continue for about 3 kilometers. After 2 km, look for a police base on the left. Once you pass the base, slow down. The observatory is on the right.

Turn right and park your car.

Note: It’s a small, private observatory. You’ve to look real hard to spot it !!!

If you are coming from Bayan Lepas/Airport

Continue pass the airport towards Balik Pulau. You’ll pass through the town of Sungai Batu and Teluk Kumbar. After several kilometers from Teluk Kumbar, you’ll go along a winding road, up hill with construction works. Watch out as some stretches of the road are quite narrow and have traffic lights.

Go along the winding road for about 8 kilometers.

As you are coming out of the winding road, watch out for a small junction on the left.

Turn into the junction. You will immediately pass under an arch. This is the town of Ginting. After the arch, you’ll reach a 4 way junction. Turn left toward Kem Bina Negara/Pulau Betong.

 

Continue for about 3 kilometers. After 2 km, look for a police base on the left. Once you pass the base, slow down. The observatory is on the right.

Turn right and park your car.

Please contact me at [email protected] if you have questions. And if you can’t find your way, call me at 012-431 7980.

 

Please see here for map.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z85/perseid/obsmap.jpg

 

For more info on Comet Lulin, do visit this website

http://spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_lulin.htm