Comet Lovejoy as seen from the International Space Station

C/2011 W3 (Comet Lovejoy) is a periodic comet, classified as a Kreutz Sungrazer. It was discovered on 27 November 2011, by amateur astronomer Terry Lovejoy.

On 21 December 2011 it was photographed from the International Space Station by commander Dan Burbank.

Later, in an interview, he said it was "the most amazing thing I have ever seen in space." For someone who has seen more beautiful sights than most people ever will, that's quite a statement.