Out of this world! Incredible picture of comet captured over Shropshire skies
It's here for the next two weeks but will then will be gone for the next 8,000 years.
Comet Lovejoy Q2 has been sailing through the Shropshire night sky and captured in this stunning image by Shropshire Star photographer and astronomer Peter Shah.
Peter, from Meifod, near Welshpool, said: "I took the image as it passed though Taurus. The image is comprised of over 40 separate frames and stacked together to make a total exposure of 40 minutes.
"Comet Lovejoy Q2 passed closest to the earth at 43 millon miles on January 7 but can be seen in our Shropshire skies throughout January.
"Visable as a teardrop-shaped misty patch with a slight green hue, it is best viewed through a pair of binoculars or a small telescope.
"Lovejoy will not return for another 8,000 years."
Comet Lovejoy is thought to be travelling at around 15 miles a second.
It was first spotted by Australian Terry Lovejoy, who has a prolific record among amateur astronomers, and he named the comet.
To date, Mr Lovejoy, from Queensland, has discovered five comets, all using relatively simple equipment compared to what's found at a professional observatory.
It was first spotted on August 17 and in recent weeks has been dramatically captured on camera by amateur astronomers around the world.
The comet's distinctive green glow comes from molecules of diatomic carbon – two carbon atoms joined together – and cyanogen fluorescing in the ultraviolet light from the sun.
Its tail takes on a more blue tinge due to the carbon monoxide it contains.
Lovejoy started off at magnitude 15 brightness and has since reached magnitude 5, the brightness necessary to be seen without the aid of a telescope.
A comet's brightness is measured by magnitude and on the astronomical magnitude scale, lower numbers indicate more intense brightness.
Scientists are now attempting to calculate the Comet Lovejoy's path round the solar system and believe that on its next encounter with the Earth it may come even closer.
If you have any good psace pictures, why not submit them to out Star Witness galleries at www.shropshirestar.com/starwitness.
