Possible very close comet to earth Nov-Dec

Hi folks, I just got this on twitter:
@JanHattenbach: A new #comet discovered by Terry Lovejoy, VERY preliminary analysis indicates ~0,1AU encounter w/ Earth in Nov-Dec: t.co/PA9KHNtLWA

Keith.

Hi all,

More info on the new comet. Still early days so the details probably will change. Its called C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) and is currently mag +15 in Puppis. Predicted perihelion is February 14th next year, with an early peak brightness estimate of around mag +11. Too early to tell how close it will pass to the earth. If you're on twitter, this @janHattenbach looks a good account to follow for all things astronomy. Its in Puppis through December, before heading into Canis Major (1st half of Jan), then into Lepus and then Orion (last week of Jan) - sky chart is in the below link.

www.universetoday.com/114012/australian-...discovers-new-comet/

www.itelescope.net/sky-alerts

It would certainly make up for ison if its a close pass.

Hi,

According to the current orbital elements, this comet will pass 1.0 AU from the Earth in January 2015. This orbit was worked out from astrometric observations spanning of three days, so there is still considerable uncertainty in the elements.

However, I would expect no large change in the elements as more observations refine the orbit. So, no, we have not a great comet.

John