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（圖：NASA／SDO 彗星Lovejoy越過太陽大氣之後再度由另一側出現的觀測檔案照。）

2011年11月，澳大利亞天文迷Terry Lovejoy／特里洛夫喬伊首次搜尋到了Lovejoy（以其命名）這顆從未被發現過的彗星。同年，一個月之後的12月中旬，Lovejoy彗星以近距離方式衝向了太陽，而在攝氏110萬度的高溫環境之下，它竟然出乎意料之外地沒有被完全燒毀殆盡，讓天文、科學專家學者們嘖嘖稱奇。當時，它以一種自殺式運行往太陽飛去，與太陽最近的距離為只剩十二萬一千公里，比地球和月亮之間的距離還要近。（如此靠近，想必一定熱到暴，但Lovejoy這顆彗星生命力還真是夠強韌說！）

原本，天文學家們預料估計Lovejoy彗星在經過高溫燃燒之後便會消失，因為，它可是將飛越高達110萬度高溫的太陽大氣環境！但令人驚訝的是，這顆直徑約只有220米的彗星消失在太陽背面之後，竟然又奇蹟般地出現在了太陽的另一側，並且再度重新出現在天文學家的望遠鏡中。天文學家是透過美國太空總署（NASA）的望遠鏡，目睹觀測到了Lovejoy這顆小彗星與太陽“擦肩而過”的難得一見天文異相精彩場面。

不過，這顆彗星最終並非“毫髮無損”全身而退地從太陽附近經過，而是也受了重傷。天文學家表示：彗星一旦接近太陽時，根本就像是冰塊放在烤肉架旁邊般！但是，Lovejoy彗星最終並沒有完全融化，觀測結果顯示了Lovejoy彗星太陽之旅結束後，其體積只剩下原來的10%左右，其餘大部分已被太陽高溫給熔化殆盡。

影片： NASA SDO - Lovejoy's Journey around the Sun




2011年12月份的相關原文報導：

Comet Lovejoy survives its close encounter with the Sun's atmosphere

The comet that was discovered last month by Australian astronomer Terry Lovejoy was seen reaching very close to the Sun on Thursday. It was thought by many scientists that Comet Lovejoy would be destroyed by the Sun's atmosphere. However, it surpised all and survived, showing up on the other side of the sun with a smaller tail.

Astronomers and scientists are commenting on the view caught by instruments in different space research laboratories. A researcher working at the U.S. Naval Research Center in Washington, Karl Battams, also gave the explanation of the event. He and other experts believed that the comet would not be able to survive but they were astonished to see it again.

"Somehow it survived being immersed in the several million-degree solar corona for almost an hour and has now re-emerged back into the views of the LASCO and SECCHI coronagraphs, almost as bright as before!" Battams said as he witnessed the rare scene. "The only notable exception is that it appears to have lost its tail … In fact its tail is still gently floating out in space where it was before perihelion!" he added.

Comets are frozen and when they come near the Sun, there is a great possibility that they disappear by the intense heat from the Sun. Comet Lovejoy was the exception, as it did not get destroyed completely despite being so close to the Sun. Astronomers are also predicting that it will form a new tail.

People with an interest of spatial events are also very much surprised and enjoying videos of the comet uploaded on the internet.

This recent sight has sparked discussions among astronomers and they are studying the details of the comet and its trip. According to W. Dean Pesnell, who is the project scientist for NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, the comet lost its ninety percent of the mass in the trip.

"It looks like the tail broke off and is stuck in the sun's magnetic field,” Pesnell added.

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/11118683-comet-lovejoy-survives-its-encounter-with-the-sun