A nice opportunity exists for European observers to catch 2004 DZ61 passing
near the face on spiral galaxy NGC 4535 tonight, March 4. 2004 DZ61 has a
very cometary like orbit with a semimajor axis of 45au and a period of over
300 years. This is truly a once in a lifetime chance to observe this
object. It will be well passed the galaxy by the time it is well placed
for western hemisphere observers. It took eleven days to get off of the
NEOCP list and was observed by 25 different observatory groups. The MPC
must have been waiting for someone to call it a comet. Take a look at MPEC
E02. If someone gets an image of DZ61 and the galaxy this evening I would
love to see it.

Clear skies

Bob Elliott
MPC 750 Fall Creek