Reports from Geisei Observatory <September 1, 2004>

• C/2004 P1 (NEAT), C/2004 Q1 (Tucker), C/2004 Q2 (Machholz)
The following are the results of recent observations at Geisei Observatory:

C/2004 P1 (NEAT)
2004UT        R.A (2000.0)  Decl.            m1
Aug.19.55069  21 37 13.68  +12 52 57.4      19.8 T     372
    19.57535  21 37 13.05  +12 52 58.2      19.9 T     372

The coma is 5" across. It is diffuse and very faint. The photo was taken with a 30-minute exposure on TP6415 film by the 60cm reflector.

C/2004 Q1 (Tucker)
2004UT        R.A (2000.0)   Decl.           m1
Aug.26.66458  02 42 03.13   +03 05 42.6     14.5 T     372
    26.68160  02 42 03.01   +03 06 00.8     14.5 T     372

The coma is 15" across and the comet appears sharply defined. The photo was taken with a 5-minute exposure on TP6415 film by the 60cm reflector.

C/2004 Q2 (Machholz)
2004UT        R.A (2000.0)   Decl.           m1
Aug.31.78819  04 21 46.81   -22 45 16.5     10.8 T     372
    31.80243  04 21 47.88   -22 45 21.8                372
    31.80417  04 21 48.01   -22 45 22.0     10.8 T     372
    31.81076  04 21 48.48   -22 45 25.2                372

The coma is 20" across and the comet looks solid. It was observed under a 17-day old moon. In a comet seeker the coma will be larger than 1' in diameter.

This observation of C/2004 Q2 was the first in the aftermath of Typhoon Chaba. The name Machholz sounds pleasantly familiar. Under moonless conditions the comet will be visible in a 10 cm telescope or larger.
T is the total magnitude and 372 is the observatory code for Geisei Observatory.