Well, I'm just in from the cold again
Comet Lulin is still putting on a very good show tonight (March 5th) as it passes very close to the starcluster Messier 44, the 'Beehive' cluster. I observed this comet and cluster together with my 9x60mm binoculars at 7.30pm, and the comet is still visible with the help of averted vision. I noticed that it certainly is not as bright as it was only a few short nights ago, and is now receeding from Earth quite fast. I estimate it's magnitude at 5.5, and you can see from the photo that the tail has shortened a little, although the strong moonlight does not help.
I could not see it naked eye, though I would say that it would have been visible if the moon had not been so close. Still, a lovely sight to see, as this does not come around very often.
Details: Canon 40D, 135mm 'L' lens at f4, 12x30seconds stacked exposures at ISO 800.
www.flickr.com/photos/79652716@N00/3331994124/sizes/o/Keith..
