A Split Ion Tail for Comet Lovejoy E4

Explanation: What's happened to Comet Lovejoy? In the pictured image , a processed composite , the comet was captured early this month after brightening unexpectedly and sporting a long and intricate ion tail . Remarkably, the typically complex effect of the Sun's wind and magnetic field here caused the middle of Comet Lovejoy 's ion tail to resemble the head of a needle . Comet C/2017 E4 (Lovejoy) was discovered only last month by noted comet discoverer Terry Lovejoy . The comet reached visual magnitude 7 earlier this month , making it a good target for binoculars and long duration exposure cameras. What's happened to Comet Lovejoy (E4) since this image was taken might be considered even more remarkable -- the comet's nucleus appeared to be disintegrating and fading as it neared its closest approach to the Sun two days ago.