The comet C/2014 Q2, named after an amateur Australian astronomer Terry Lovejoy, is flying our way from the edge of the solar system. The comet discovered back in August has brightened to 5 magnitude late December and will be visible high in the dark winter sky through January.

On January 7 it will pass at its closest, about 70 million kilometers from Earth. Although visible to unaided eye, spotting it in suburban light pollution would likely require at least a pair of binoculars.

"Comet Lovejoy: "Gerald Rhemann took this picture on Dec. 21st [2014] using a remotely-operated telescope in Namib... http://ift.tt/13Vd8fS

— Stephen Johnston (@GLStephen) December 31, 2014

To a naked eye the comet will appear grey, but in reality the celestial body produces a green glow due to ionization by the Sun. Photographers are expecting to take breath-taking pictures as the Lovejoy comet passes near the Orion constellation, as well as Taurus, Pleiades and the Aries.

Comet #Lovejoy Q2 is now naked-eye visible at mag 5, passing south of the constellation Orion. http://t.co/iQ3jRq0E1F http://ift.tt/13Vd7sp

— Epic Cosmos (@EpicCosmos) December 29, 2014

Lovejoy comet initially had an extremely long orbital period of over 10,000 years, but it was shortened by gravitational effects. So the next time Lovejoy returns will be in just around 8,000 years.

Comet (C/2014 Q2) Lovejoy & M79 from the Quantock Hills, in Somerset, last night. Comet was ~12˚ above the horizon. http://ift.tt/13Vd8ws

— Will Gater (@willgater) December 29, 2014