Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy)

Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) became a spectacular target for observers in 2015, offering a bright and active display as it passed relatively close to Earth. Its striking greenish coma and a faint, extended tail made it an attractive object for both visual observing and astrophotography. Lovejoy’s activity and vivid color rendered it especially photogenic, highlighting the sublimation of volatile gases as it approached the inner Solar System. This phenomenon, known as Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy), captivated astronomers and enthusiasts alike.

I captured images of this comet from my own backyard, tracking its motion across dense star fields over several nights. Despite its rapid movement, careful planning and multiple exposures allowed me to reveal the comet’s condensed coma and the subtle extension of its tail. Its brightness and dynamic appearance made it a rewarding target to follow and document.

Image processing was carried out using Fitswork, Photoshop, and PixInsight

The images were taken with the following equipment:

• Date: 2015
• Location: Krefeld, Germany
• Telescope: 10″ Newton ohne Namen
• Focal length [mm]: 1000
• Focal ratio: 3.9
• Mount: Skywatcher HEQ-5
• Camera: Canon 300 Da
• Filter: OSC
• Exposure time [min]: 5
• Resolution: 5.39″/px