Comet 78P/ Geherls. 14 November, 2004
Combination of 5, 3 minute images, SBIG ST-9E CCD.
16" f/10 schmidt-cassegrain with f/6.3 focal reducer.
The 2004 return of this comet was very favourable, with the comet being at perihelion about the same time as its closest point to the Earth. As a result, the comet reached about magnitude 11.5 during October. Unfortunately, due to weather and work committments, I was unable to observe it before early November. By the end of December, the comet was fading steadily as it receeded from both the Earth and the Sun. During the time it was visible, the comet showed a bright central condensation with fainter coma and a short, faint tail.
By January 7, 2005, the comet had faded to around magnitude 16, but still displayed a faint tail.
