[petuniasevan]

Of course this comet's brightness curve has flattened out. Comet Kudo-Fujikawa was a real disappointment; this comet is a little better. Don't be surprised, though, if you look for it and can't find a Hale-Bopp neon sign comet. The brightness of Comet NEAT will not reach that level while visible. You need to get out the binoculars and look in the area indicated for a fuzzy "star". The darker and clearer the sky, the better.

Here's a way to see the comet near perihelion: check out the SOHO orbiter's LASCO images!

Regardless of its visibility for Earth-bound observers, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft will have a good view of Comet NEAT as it moves through perihelion. Between February 15th and 21st, Comet C/2002 V1 will be less than 10° from the Sun and should be visible in the field-of-view of the spacecraft's LASCO C2 and C3 coronagraphs.

Here's a chart showing the comet's path by date:

[petuniasevan]

[BossyRoofer]

Good job, we will be looking at the SOHO site! Thanks APOD!

[BradyLS]

I remember all the fuss surrounding Kohoutek when it paid a visit in '75. For about two weeks, comet fever gripped tha nation as all the major news outlets and Astro-wags promised an amazing night-sky display of the Great Comet Kohoutek's Fiery Tail.

LSS: A complete bust. The comet made its close approach to the sun and only observers with binoculars and telescopes could see anything. In fact, except for photos like these, I've never seen a comet!