C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy)
Comet Lovejoy, formally designated C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy), is a long-period comet and Kreutz sungrazer. It was discovered in November 2011 by Australian amateur astronomer Terry Lovejoy. The comet's perihelion took it through the Sun's corona on 16 December 2011, after which it emerged intact, though greatly impacted by the event.
Comet Lovejoy photographed by Dan Burbank aboard the ISS, 21 December 2011 | |
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Terry Lovejoy |
| Discovery date | 27 November 2011 |
| Orbital characteristics | |
| Epoch | JD 2455901.5 (6 December 2011) |
| Aphelion | 157.36±0.50 AU |
| Perihelion | 0.00555 AU |
| Semi-major axis | 78.68±0.25 AU |
| Eccentricity | 0.99993 |
| Orbital period | ~622 yr (epoch 2200) |
| Max. orbital speed | 565 km/s |
| Inclination | 134.36°±0.002° |
| Mean anomaly | 359.986° |
| Last perihelion | 16 December 2011 |
| Next perihelion | c. 2633? |
As Comet Lovejoy was announced on the 16th anniversary of the SOHO satellite's launch it became known as "The Great Birthday Comet of 2011", and because it was visible from Earth during the Christmas holiday it was also nicknamed "The Great Christmas Comet of 2011".
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