How did Comet Lovejoy get its name?
Comet Lovejoy lived up to its name by releasing large amounts of alcohol as well as a type of sugar into space, according to new observations by an international team. The discovery marks the first time ethyl alcohol, the same type in alcoholic beverages, has been observed in a comet.
How bright is comet Lovejoy?
Comet Lovejoy is about magnitude 4.5, high in the evening sky for your binoculars or telescope.
Who discovered Comet Lovejoy?
Terry LovejoyC/2011 W3 (Lovejoy) / DiscovererTerry Lovejoy is an information technologist from Thornlands, Queensland, Australia, most widely known as an amateur astronomer. He has discovered six comets, including C/2011 W3, the first Kreutz Sungrazing comet discovered by ground-based observation in over 40 years. Wikipedia
When was Comet Lovejoy discovered?
November 2011C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy) / Discovered
Amateur and professional astonishment The comet was first spotted by amateur astronomer Terry Lovejoy in November 2011, from his back yard in Australia. His find — which is unusual in an era where automated telescopes make most comet discoveries — revealed a comet on a suicide course toward the sun.
How old is Comet Lovejoy?
Comet Lovejoy, formally designated C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy), is a long-period comet and Kreutz sungrazer….C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy)
| Comet Lovejoy photographed by Dan Burbank aboard the ISS, 21 December 2011 | |
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Terry Lovejoy |
| Discovery date | 27 November 2011 |
When was Comet Lovejoy introduced?
November 2011
The comet was first spotted by amateur astronomer Terry Lovejoy in November 2011, from his back yard in Australia. His find — which is unusual in an era where automated telescopes make most comet discoveries — revealed a comet on a suicide course toward the sun.
What country was Comet Lovejoy?
Australia
Comet Lovejoy was discovered on Dec. 2, 2011, by amateur astronomer Terry Lovejoy of Australia. Researchers quickly realized that the new find was a member of the Kreutz family of sungrazing comets.
How long can Comets last?
But once they come close enough to be seen, comets begin to fall apart and they must eventually vanish from sight, often in less than a million years after first sighting. So comets are very old, but once they swing near the Sun they do not last very long.
What is the name of the Comet Lovejoy?
C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy) Comet Lovejoy, formally designated C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy), is a long-period comet and Kreutz sungrazer. It was discovered in November 2011 by Australian amateur astronomer Terry Lovejoy.
What is C/2013 R1 (Lovejoy)?
Comet Lovejoy (C/2013 R1) is one of three comets that will grace the skies in November, 2013. A picture of C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy), another comet discovered by Terry Lovejoy in 2011, taken by NASA astronaut Dan Burbank onboard the International Space Station.
How big is the nucleus of Comet Lovejoy?
Before perihelion, the nucleus of Comet Lovejoy had been estimated to be between 100 and 200 metres (330 and 660 ft) in diameter. Since the comet survived perihelion, it is thought that the nucleus must have been larger, perhaps up to 500 metres (1,600 ft).
How much alcohol does Comet Lovejoy give off?
Researchers Catch Comet Lovejoy Giving Away Alcohol. “We found that comet Lovejoy was releasing as much alcohol as in at least 500 bottles of wine every second during its peak activity,” said Nicolas Biver of the Paris Observatory, France, lead author of a paper on the discovery published Oct. 23 in Science Advances.