Lovejoy is known among amateur astronomers for identifying modifications to digital cameras needed for astrophotography. Such cameras come configured with built-in filters that cut off infrared light. They also cut off some of the red light that many deep space objects emit. After he published procedures to modify those filters,[2] many amateur astronomers were able to improve their deep space photography.
On 15 March 2007, Lovejoy used a standard camera to discover the comet C/2007 E2 (Lovejoy).[4] Two months later, he discovered another comet, designated C/2007 K5 (Lovejoy) using the modified camera.
^ abMoskowitz, Clara (15 December 2011). "Ode to a Comet: Q & A With Discoverer of Sungrazing Comet Lovejoy". SPACE.com. Retrieved 21 January 2013. The sungrazing comet C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy), set to skim the surface of the sun late Thursday (Dec. 15), was discovered two weeks ago by amateur observer Terry Lovejoy. Lovejoy, 45, works in the information technology field by day in Thornlands, Australia.