C/2001 Q4 (Neat)

Capture

Canon EOS 300D 50mm f1.4, 20sec ISO 800, 24 April 2004

Date

24 April 2004

Location

Camden, NSW

Original

3072 × 2048 px

C/2001 Q4 (Neat) is a comet with an almost perpendicular retrograde orbit which brings it into the inner Solar System by a deeply southward path. In 2004, residents of the southern hemisphere had the opportunity to watch the comet gradually brighten as it raced toward perihelion. On May 6, 2004 the comet approached within 0.32 AU of the Earth. Beginning in early May, the comet started racing north and burst into view in the northern hemisphere when it had reached almost maximum brightness.

See it in the comets gallery