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C/2006 M4 SWAN during the pre dawn hours of Oct 4th 2006. This sketch conveys the comets visual profile through 10X50 binoculars. The comet rose above my neighbours rooftop in the NE sky within Canes Venatici passing to the right of the dark shape of a chimney top.

The comets lovely blue ion tail stretched for at least 3.5 degrees to the north. At this stage it reminded me a little of comet F4 Bradfield that appeared in the same area of sky several years ago. As I was holding the binoculars handheld I had to complete this sketch from memory. During the session I could also see the comet with the naked eye and possibly the tail to.