Comet Machholz imaged by John Catlyn

 Comet Machholz, formally designated C/2004 Q2 is a long-period comet discovered in August 2004 by Donald Machholz (his 10th comet, found visually, with his 6 inch reflector).  In January 2005 it reached naked eye brightness. Its perihelion was farther from the Sun than the Earth’s orbit.  The comet will return, but you will have a long wait. Its extremely large orbit will not bring it back to the inner Solar System for another 112,000 years. Don’t wait up for it!