21P

21P/Giacobini-Zinner

A periodic comet of period 6.6 years, it made an especially close approach to Earth on 2018 September 10 and reached an apparent magnitude of 7. Its motion against the stars was apparent in just a few minutes! Sometimes prone to outburst it however was quiet during this apparition.

	Photographed under dark skies from Heathcote, Victoria, against the stars of Gemini on 2018 September 19 when about 7 magnitude; Canon 5D II/500mm lens + 1.4X extender combination on an NEQ6 Pro mount tracking the sky. Image optimised for comet and the stars. Field of view ~2°x1.5°.
	Photographed from Heathcote against the stars of Monoceros on 2018 October 7 when around 7.5 magnitude; Canon 5D II/500mm lens + 1.4X extender combination on an NEQ6 Pro mount tracking the sky. Image optimised for comet and the stars. Field of view ~2°x1.5°.