C/2006 M4 is a long-period comet discovered on June 17, 2006, by astronomer David J. Tholen at the Pan-STARRS observatory in Hawaii. It is classified as a non-periodic comet, meaning it does not have a predictable orbit and may take thousands of years to return to the inner solar system. The comet reached its closest approach to the Sun, known as perihelion, on April 1, 2007. During this time, it became visible to the naked eye, displaying a bright coma and a long tail, which are characteristic features of comets as they approach the Sun and heat up.