C/2001 Q4 (NEAT)

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This comet has an unusual almost perpendicular retrograde orbit which brings it into the inner solar system by a deeply southward path. It initially emerged from its remote home spending most of its time near the south celestial pole. In 2004, residents of the southern hemisphere had the opportunity to watch the comet gradually brighten as it raced toward perihelion. Beginning in early May, the comet started racing north and burst into view in the northern hemisphere when it had reached almost maximum brightness.

This comet was discovered on August 24, 2001 by the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking program (NEAT).