Comet Jacques (C/2014 E2) was a long-term comet that traversed the inner solar system in 2014 in a unique path. The comet’s brightness and proximity to Earth offered astronomers and amateur astronomers a unique chance to view a celestial traveller close up. One of the year’s brightest, it was of interest to professional observatories and backyard astronomers.
How It Was Spotted and Categorized
On March 13 2014, Comet Jacques (C/2014 E2) was found by the Brazilian SONEAR (Southern Observatory for Near-Earth Asteroids Research) team. The observatory in Oliveira, in the Minas Gerais state of Brazil, found it using a 450mm f/2.9 reflector telescope.
The discovery was a milestone in astronomy in Brazil during a period when SONEAR was a new endeavour. The observatory’s mandate was to detect and monitor near-Earth objects, and discovering a new comet was added to its achievements in advancing work in planet defence and celestial observations.
The astronomers categorized it as a long-term comet, which means it took thousands of years to orbit around the Sun. The elliptical path of the comet indicates that it was coming in from the Oort Cloud, a distant reservoir of icy bodies on the periphery of the solar system.
Comet Jacques’ Flight Path and What Makes It Special
Comet Jacques had a highly inclined orbit, coming relatively close to Earth and the Sun. It passed closest to Earth on August 28, 2014, at a distance of 0.56 AU (83 million km) and perihelion (closest to the Sun) on July 2, 2014, at a distance of 0.66 AU (99 million km).
Key Orbital Parameters
- Eccentricity: 1.0008 (Hyperbolic orbit, indicating it may leave the solar system)
- Inclination: 156.4° (Retrograde orbit, opposite to planet motion)
- Perihelion Distance: Theoretically extends to the Oort Cloud
- Orbital Period: Several thousand years (bound) or infinity (unbound)
How Bright Was This Celestial Visitor and What Made It Stand Out
The Comet Jacques displayed a bright green coma, characteristic of diatomic carbon (C₂) emission. The Comet was visible in telescopes in April of that year and continued to get brighter to approach the Sun.
Maximum Brightness
- Magnitude: 6.6 (Limit of Naked Eye in dark skies)
- Date: Late July to Early August of that year
- Optimal Viewing Locations: Northern Hemisphere
While most of the comets that approach close to Earth yield long, dramatic tails, C/2014 E2 was found to yield a short, distinct ion tail due to interaction with the solar wind. The tail structure was found to be varying by observers, likely due to solar activity.
What Astronomers Discovered While Watching This Comet
Comet Jacques provided astronomers with informative details of the structure and impact of solar interaction. Observation revealed that it was bearing volatile gases like water (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and cyanogen (CN).
Spectroscopy Revealed Detection Of
Sodium emission, suggesting material loss to solar radiation
Hydroxyl (OH) bands, suggesting sublimation of water ice
Oxygen and carbon ions, suggesting distinct ion tails.
Observations of Interest
- July 2014 – Close approach to 14° of planet Venus, making it visible to astronomers to track its brightness and movement in close proximity to a familiar body.
- August 2014 – Close approach to star Aldebaran in constellation Taurus, making it visible to amateur astronomers.
- September 2014 – Distant tail structure visible using narrowband filters, suggesting finer details of structure and constitution of a tail.
The Final Path of This Celestial Traveler
Due to its hyperbolic orbit, Comet Jacques is unlikely to return to the Solar System’s interior. Most likely, the gravitation interactions of the Sun and Jupiter sent it to a path of ejection.
Key Predictions
- Possible Solar System Ejection – Possibility of ejection beyond Oort Cloud.
- No Return to be Expected – Contrasting periodical comets (such as Halley’s Comet), its observability in the future is doubtful.
- Interstellar Possibility – In the case of an ejection, it would be included in the list of interstellar objects such as ʻOumuamua, though such a process would take millennia.
Spotting the Next Celestial Wonder in the Night Sky
For those interested in observing future comets, use these tips:
- Use Astronomy Apps – SkySafari, Stellarium, and Star Walk allow live tracking of comets.
- Inspect Observatories – Websites such as NASA, ESA, and Sky & Telescope provide up-to-date lists of visible comets.
- Observe in Dark Skies – Observation in low-light areas maximizes viewability.
- Use Binoculars or Telescopes – Even small telescopes yield details of comets.
- Monitor Solar Activity – Tails of comets can be powered by strong solar winds, making them more visible.
- Join Astronomy Clubs – Join a local observatory or astronomy club to get expert guidance and up-to-the-minute notification of when to observe a comet.
Conclusion
Comet Jacques (C/2014 E2) was a great celestial guest that provided astronomers with a preview of cometary activity, composition, and trajectory. Although it will never come back, its travel through our solar system is a memory of a 21st-century celestial sighting to be cherished. The information that streamed in while it flew by added to what is known about the behaviour of comets in the solar environment.