Comet Ikeya-Zhang (2002 C1)

A combination of 20, 20 s exposures. Unguided. 2002-02-28.

Comet Ikeya-Zhang is believed to be a return of The Comet of 1661. The Comet of 1661 was predicted by Sir Edmund Halley to return in 1789 based on the similarity of its orbit to a comet seen in 1532. The comet failed to re-appear. Fortunately, Halley is remembered for the successful prediction of the return of Comet Halley in 1758.

Comet Ikeya-Zhang has a period of 34 years, 8 months and will reach perihelion (closest approach to the sun) on March 19.