In any case, the observed, very complex structure as well as the extent of the tail system is typical of a bright and beautiful comet . The exposure was made on sensitized Kodak 4415 film behind a GG385 filtre. The telescope was guided on the comet during the exposure and the star images are therefore trailed.
North is up and East is to the left.
The film was digitized by means of a small CCD camera at La Silla and the image was transferred to the Headquarters in Garching via ESO's intercontinental computer link. The films are on their way to Garching and it is expected that an improved version will become available on March 19, after the necessary photographic processing. The field shown here covers about 2.8 x 2.1 degrees on the sky. On this relatively deep exposure, the comet head measures approx. 35 arcmin across.