156p 20201018 mmattiazzo

156p Russell-LINEAR on 2020 October 18 at 11:20UT.
Visual estimate was magnitude 11.5 and 3' coma using a 20cm reflector.
This is the first apparition where visual observations are possible, due to reduced perihelion distance and favourable circumstances.
The comet is closest to Earth on Oct 24 at 0.48AU.
It is closest to the Sun on 2020 Nov 17 at 1.33AU
The comet is possibly in outburst as it displays a coma off centre, similar to 29p appearance after an outburst.