A Split Ion Tail for Comet Lovejoy E4
Image Credit & Copyright: Fritz Helmut Hemmerich
Explanation: What's happened to Comet Lovejoy? In the
pictured image, a processed
composite, the comet was captured early this month after brightening unexpectedly and sporting a long and intricate
ion tail. Remarkably, the
typically complex effect of the
Sun's wind and
magnetic field here caused the middle of
Comet Lovejoy's ion tail to resemble the
head of a needle. Comet C/2017 E4 (Lovejoy) was discovered only last month
by noted comet discoverer Terry Lovejoy. The comet reached
visual magnitude 7
earlier this month, making it a good target for binoculars and long duration exposure cameras. What's happened to
Comet Lovejoy (E4) since this image was taken might be considered even more remarkable -- the comet's nucleus appeared to be
disintegrating and fading as it neared its closest approach to the
Sun two days ago.
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