Our solar system is about to welcome a new neighbor. Comet Lovejoy will be dropping by for a quick visit. One feature of this comet that makes it so intriquing to astronomers is its lovely shade of green.

This green comet was first discovered (just recently) by two comet watchers from down under, Terry Lovejoy of Australia glimpsed it first with the sighting being confirmed by John Drummond in New Zealand.

Our new neighbor dubbed “Comet Lovejoy” after its discoverer, gets its green hue from a combination of cyanogen gases and diatomic carbon in its coma.

Comet Lovejoy’s current orbit is almost perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic. As of a week ago (20-Mar-2007), the comet was approaching the solar system from below, moving from southern to northern skies. Comet Lovejoy is expected to brighten to 7th magnitude (not quite a naked-eye object), at the point in its orbit when it is closest to Earth (.44 AU – about 41 million miles).

You can read more about Comet Lovejoy, the green comet, at:
SpaceWeather
Possum Observatory
Green Comet Lovejoy Keeps Wowing Amateur Astronomers (Video, Photos)