The 2003 return was a very favourable return, especially for northern hemisphere observers. Perihelion was on December 27, however on its way to perihelion, the comet passed relatively close to the Earth, reaching about magnitude 5.6 during November. At this time the comet was high in the evening sky for northern hemisphere observers, resulting in excellent views. One interesting aspect of the return was the very discordant magnitude estimates that were made, even by some very experienced observers. This was most likely caused by the very large apparent size of the coma, caused by the close approach to the Earth. Unless observers were very careful with their observations, they did not include the entire coma, resulting in erroneously faint magnitudes.
My first opportunity to observe the comet was on October 19. On this night, the comet was a very faint, star-like object at around magnitude 14. No coma was visible.
The comet was moving quite quickly, as is shown in the image below.
By October 25, the comet was brightening steadily although it was still below magnitude 12, and was beginning to show a coma.
By mid-November, the comet had brightened by about 6 magnitudes and was displaying a very large coma surrounding a very small central condensation. A broad faint dust tail was also evident.
The comet peaked at about magnitude 5.7 around November 20. After then, it moved rapidly southwards and towards the Sun, quickly becoming lost to northern observers. My final opportunity to observe the comet was on November 23. On this night, the comet was about magnitude 5.8 with a large coma, very small central condensation and broad, faint tail. The coma was a very strong greenish colour.
The same image as above only processed with a median filter to minimise the stars.