EARLY 2015 ASTRONOMY UPDATE: For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, there is a special treat visible in the night sky. C/2014 Q2 of as we know it, Comet Lovejoy is visible from the latitudes in the Northern as it moves toward its closest approach to Earth on January 7, 2015. At this point in time, Lovejoy will be approximately 43.6 million miles away from Earth. The comet started out as a Southern Hemisphere object, but it is heading Northward and coming into easier viewing for Northern Hemisphere observers and star gazers. Lovejoy has brightened and can be located near Orion on the 7th of January, which is one of the sky’s easiest constellations to spot. The most noticeable thing about Orion is its short, straight row of three medium bright stars, known as Orion’s Belt. The comet might get as bright as magnitude 4.6, well within the limits for observing with the naked eye conditions permitting. Below is a photo of Comet Lovejoy from Sky and Telescope as well as a viewing chart and a look at how close the comet pass. Let me know if you get to see it and please post photos if you can get any. Click the link below for more info. ~Pete bit.ly/1Hh9knI
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 21:54:20 +0000
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