Lovejoy Comet

Comet Lovejoy, also known as C/2014 Q2, appears as colorful and luminous as a Christmas tree in this photograph taken by Damian Peach on November 16th. It is currently moving north from the constellation Columba the Dove to the constellation Lepus the Hare, south of Orion. It is bright enough to be seen even with simple binoculars. My friend Metin Eser recently confirmed the observation by uploading a photo.

These aren't the only dates visible from Earth. It will be closest to Earth on January 7th. It will be closest to the Sun on January 30th. It will then enter a long orbital period and approach us again in 8,000 years. That is, if there's any us left.