Comet122P/ de Vico

Comet122P/ de Vico is a "Halley-type" periodic comet with a period of about 74 years. During its 1995 return, it became bright enough to be visible with the naked eye, reaching around magnitude 5.5. From the southern hemisphere, it was a difficult object when near its brightest as it was very low in the north-east horizon, deep in the morning twilight.


Comet 122P/ de Vico, October 1, 1995.
10 minutes exposure, Fuji Super HG II 400 film.
5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.


Comet 122P/ de Vico, October 2, 1995.
2 minutes exposure, Fuji Super HG II 400 film.
5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.


Comet 122P/ de Vico, October 2, 1995.
5 minutes exposure, Fuji Super HG II 400 film.
5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.

Despite being very low to the horizon and deep in the twilight, the comet made an interesting sight. In this last photograph, a hint of the faint tail can be seen heading towards the upper right. The bright star in the image is Regulus.