Great Comet Lovejoy Survives Perihelion (C/2011 W3) - December 2011

As solar magnetic fields and winds are known to fragment and vaporize smaller kreutz group "sundiving" comets, scientists and fellow researchers were seemingly unsure whether massive (C/2011 W3) Comet Lovejoy, a large body of rock, ice and gases, would survive perihelion.

Dec. 16, 2011: Lovejoy survived transit through the solar corona and hours later reappeared with a brightly lit coma and elongated dust and ion tail. From the latest available data it does appear that partial fragmentation may still be occurring. Not as much can be said about Lovejoy's companion comet.

Initial speculations of Comet Lovejoy's size was approximately 200-300 meters in diameter or roughly 10x larger than common Kreutz sungrazers. Being that Lovejoy survived perihelion it made it questionable to many whether or not estimates have been a little underestimated.

Comet Lovejoy is still putting on a display as it makes it's way out toward the edge of our solar system.

What is the diameter of Comet Lovejoy's nucleus now and will it gain rest mass or end it's life cycle in a degenerative orbit? :)

When and if data becomes available I hope to post a follow-up video from spacecraft STEREO A & B on instrument hi2.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Audio was created by myself using a neat application called musicshake. Musicshake is a free application which allows users to create songs by arranging and editing prerecorded musicshake tracks. Non-commercial musicshake licenses are free. Audio in this video has a commercial license and you are free to use the video and audio data at your own good will. Please see musicshake terms of service for more information.

Song Title: Comet Lovejoy, Planets and Sun

Category:

Science & Technology

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[1rickydog]

Very nice video. Thank you

[solarcradle]

@1rickydog Thanks! The music is a little strange. lol Happy New Year! :)

[SolarWatcher]

excellent :)

[Julia76087]

this comet surprised us all! happy new year!

[docatomics]

...perhaps Coronal Hole 490 solar wind shall paint up the coma to join the fireworks displays