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Blogs > loveisamyth > loveisamyth, stars are forever


loveisamyth 68M
849 posts
1/24/2015 9:08 am

Last Read:
1/25/2015 8:26 am
UNBELIEVABLE COMET TAIL
Receding Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2) has faded a bit from its peak brightness earler this month, but it is still a spectacular comet. Trace the tormented streamers of gas flowing from the comet's icy nucleus in this deep photo from Gerald Rhemann of Puchenstuben, Austria.

The many kinks, eddies and whorls propagating down the comet's tail are caused by an unknown combination variable activity in the comet's nucleus and gusts of solar wind buffeting the streamers of emerging gas. Every time astrophotographers photograph the structure, it looks different. This is one of the most dynamic comets in years.

Shining like a star of magnitude 4.4, Comet Lovejoy is a difficult target for the naked eye, but as Rheman's photo shows, it is a wonderful subject for deep-sky photography. The comet is currently passing through the constellation Aries high in the evening sky. The Minor Planet Center has published an ephemeris for accurate pointing of telescopes.





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