C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy)

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For other comets discovered by Terry Lovejoy, see Comet Lovejoy.

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C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) is a long-period comet discovered on 17 August 2014 by Terry Lovejoy using a 0.2-meter (8 in) Schmidt–Cassegrain telescope.[2] It was discovered at apparent magnitude 15 in the southern constellation of Puppis.[2] It is the fifth comet discovered by Terry Lovejoy. Its blue-green glow is the result of organic molecules and water released by the comet fluorescing under the harsh UV and optical light of the sun as it passes through space.[5][6]

History

By December 2014, the comet had brightened to roughly magnitude 7.4,[7] making it a small telescope and binoculars target. By mid-December, the comet was visible to the naked eye for experienced observers with dark skies and keen eyesight.[8] On 28−29 December 2014, the comet passed 1/3° from globular cluster Messier 79.[9] In January 2015, it brightened to roughly magnitude 4,[10] and became one of the brightest comets located high in a dark sky since comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) in 1997. On 7 January 2015, the comet passed Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). from Earth.[11] It crossed the celestial equator on 9 January 2015 becoming better seen from the Northern Hemisphere.[12] The comet came to perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) on 30 January 2015 at a distance of Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). from the Sun.[3] At perihelion, its water production rate exceeded 20 metric tons per second.[5]

C/2014 Q2 originated from the Oort cloud,[5] but is not a dynamically new comet.[13] Before entering the planetary region (epoch 1950), C/2014 Q2 had an orbital period of about 11000 years with aphelion about Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). from the Sun.[4] After leaving the planetary region (epoch 2050), it will have an orbital period of about 8000 years with aphelion of about 800 AU.[4]

The comet was observed to release 21 different organic molecules in gas, including ethanol and glycolaldehyde, a simple sugar.[5][14] The presence of organic molecules suggests that they are preserved materials synthesized in the outskirts of the solar nebula or at earlier stages of the Solar System formation.[5]

Gallery

  • Celestial Nomad Takes Centre Stage.jpg

    C/2014 Q2 glowing green over La Silla Observatory

  • Comet - 2014 Q2 - Lovejoy.jpg

    C/2014 Q2 seen passing through Lepus, 29 December 2014

  • 2015-01-17 Comet C2014 Q2 Lovejoy 4x60sec f10 2000mm ISO2500.jpg

    C/2014 Q2, 17 January 2015, with an 8" Schmidt–Cassegrain telescope

  • Comet lovejoy and the Pleiades.jpg

    C/2014 Q2 and the Pleiades star cluster, 19 January 2015, with a DSLR

  • PIA19354-CometLovejoy-20150130.jpg

    C/2014 Q2, 30 January 2015, NEOWISE

References

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External links

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. (CK14Q020)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. (Solution using the Solar System Barycenter and barycentric coordinates. Select Ephemeris Type:Elements and Center:@0)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. (September 2014 archive)
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. (CK14Q020)
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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