Amateur astronomers capture comet Lovejoy on camera

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (UPI) — Comet Lovejoy was at its brightest on January 7 and 8, but it will remain visible to the naked eye — provided the weather cooperates — through the weekend.

Experts say it’s important for stargazers to be patient and let their eyes adjust. Also, don’t smoke cigarettes, astronomer Geoff Wyatt says. It diminishes blood flow to the optic nerve.

Terry Lovejoy, the Australian amateur astronomer for whom the comet is named, says the constellation Orion is the best reference point for locating comet C/2014 Q2 Lovejoy.

“Look up to his left knee and then drift across towards the left and scan that area,” he told Australian newspaper The Age. “But you will need to be patient, especially if you are around a lot of light.”

Stargazers in places devoid of light pollution will have the best opportunity to see the green glow of comet Lovejoy, tail and all. Some backyard astronomers were able to capture photographs of the comet, over the last couple of nights, as it drifted slowly across the night sky.

Scientists say the comet won’t be back in plain view for 8,000 years.

Close up of #comet Lovejoy from my previous photo #astronomy Such a lovely green color! Sky bluing is from moon. pic.twitter.com/vto1n0qdrX— Not of this Earth (@arcturax) January 10, 2015

Here is a 2 sec exp of #comet #Lovejoy taken on Jan 8. Comet coma is larger than I expected but faint. Use binoculars pic.twitter.com/ZNo1FlLWnI— Astrogeo (@astrogeo) January 9, 2015

Comet C/2014 Q2 Lovejoy on Jan. 8 by Mike Broussard in Louisiana http://t.co/PcalIlUgjG pic.twitter.com/SPUBHPgb9V— Jason Major (@JPMajor) January 9, 2015

Comet #Lovejoy Q2 at perigee. From Siding Spring Obsv via Deep Sky View. http://t.co/XVDDGfzAzB pic.twitter.com/lDiGB3sAlw— Epic Cosmos (@EpicCosmos) January 9, 2015