Quelle:An updated orbit from for C/2004 Q2 (Machholz) is given on MPEC 2004-Q69. The comet will reach perihelion on January 24.8, 2005 at a distance of 1.20 AU. The comet will be near opposition at the time of perihelion so this apparition will be very favorable for both hemispheres. The comet should obtain naked-eye brightness between the beginning of December and the end of January, at which time it may reach a peak brightness of 4th magnitude. It should be a fine binocular object. Brad Timerson points out that the revised orbit puts 04Q2 about 2 degrees from the Pleiades on January 7, 2005, which will make an excellent sight. The comet will move rapidly north becoming a circumpolar object in February 2005.
http://encke.jpl.nasa.gov/RecentObs.html