Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2000 Jan. 29: South)

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 Updated on February 6, 2000
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Southern Hemisphere.

Please see also the Comet Rendezvous Calendar, Latest Pictures of Comets.

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* C/1999 L3 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 15
It brightened after the perihelion passage and reached to 10 mag. Now is the peak. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   9 39.37   16 31.4   1.039   2.010   166   10.6    111.8 296.5   1:12 (180, 39)  
Feb.  5   8 48.42   21 55.0   1.043   2.024   172   10.6    111.3 292.2  23:43 (180, 33)

* 141P/Machholz 2

 Image: 2000 Jan. 8
The component A was 10 mag in early January. Then it faded out rapidly and reached to 12 mag in late January. The component D was not observed since January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   3 38.77   -9 18.3   0.377   1.115   100   11.6    126.9  78.2  20:47 (134, 56)  
Feb.  5   4 30.01   -6 22.8   0.444   1.192   106   12.4     97.4  76.1  20:39 (148, 57)

* 9P/Tempel 1
Not observable around the perihelion passage at all. When it appears at dawn in 2000 June, it will be already fainter than 15 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  18 51.82  -24 48.9   2.338   1.523    26   11.9     46.2  90.8   3:37 (296,  6)  
Feb.  5  19 15.39  -24 45.9   2.330   1.537    28   12.0     45.5  88.5   3:47 (295,  8)

* C/1997 BA6 ( Spacewatch )

 Image: 1998 Dec. 5
Only southern people can observe it. It will appear again in 2000 August as 13 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  21  4.12  -64 24.9   4.090   3.485    46   12.8     20.5  46.2  20:47 ( 22, 19)  
Feb.  5  21 19.17  -62 46.8   4.099   3.496    46   12.9     19.6  45.6  20:39 ( 23, 17)

* C/1995 O1 ( Hale-Bopp )
Only southern people can observe it. Northern people can never see it again. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   4 47.49  -76 31.9  10.475  10.334    79   13.2      5.4 320.1  20:47 (  3, 48)  
Feb.  5   4 41.37  -76  1.3  10.518  10.384    79   13.3      5.3 328.9  20:39 (  5, 48)

* C/1999 S4 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 8
It will be 3 mag in 2000 July. It keeps a good position until 2000 February when it will be 13 mag. It keeps the same brightness recently. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   1 41.55   28 14.0   2.826   2.922    85   13.9     11.7 233.3  20:47 (133,  8)  
Feb.  5   1 37.30   27 29.1   2.877   2.836    77   13.8      8.9 229.4  20:39 (129,  5)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

 Image: 1999 June 12
Appearing at dawn, however, it is too low to observe. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  16 53.46  -30 24.8   6.634   6.096    53   14.0      9.1 100.8   3:37 (287, 31)  
Feb.  5  16 58.13  -30 36.5   6.539   6.094    59   14.0      8.4 101.2   3:47 (284, 37)

* 63P/Wild 1

 Image: 2000 Jan. 1
It is 12 or 13 mag visually, but it is faint as 16 mag by CCD. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  13 52.83  -12 56.9   1.601   1.988    97   14.0     24.2 139.9   3:37 (234, 58)  
Feb.  5  13 59.73  -15  5.9   1.542   2.000   102   14.0     22.5 144.7   3:47 (225, 64)

* C/1999 K8 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 1999 Dec. 30
Because it is far away, it keeps 14 mag until late 2000, while Northern people can observe it under good condition. It is diffused. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  22 43.33   13  9.6   4.928   4.262    43   14.3     17.2  96.2  20:47 ( 96,-15)  
Feb.  5  22 51.57   12 58.7   4.984   4.253    38   14.3     17.4  94.1  20:39 ( 94,-17)

* 114P/Wiseman-Skiff

 Image: 2000 Jan. 8
Fading now. It is 13.5 mag visually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   3 47.42   18  1.5   0.940   1.579   110   14.3     33.3 111.4  20:47 (154, 33)  
Feb.  5   4  2.91   16 43.0   0.997   1.589   106   14.5     33.9 107.6  20:39 (152, 34)

* C/1999 K5 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 1999 July 31
It will reach to 13.5 mag in June, but will not be observable in the Northern Hemisphere. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  19 51.50  -42 26.7   4.433   3.580    26   14.8     17.3 116.2   3:37 (318,  7)  
Feb.  5  20  1.51  -43 21.4   4.362   3.553    31   14.7     17.8 117.0   3:47 (315, 11)

* C/1999 H3 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 1
It will keep 14 mag until 2000 March. It is 13 mag visually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  14 12.14   35 51.4   3.406   3.807   106   14.8     16.7 309.0   3:37 (206, 13)  
Feb.  5  14  3.80   37  6.3   3.337   3.833   113   14.8     19.2 304.6   3:47 (196, 16)

* C/1999 J3 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 1999 Oct. 24
Only southern people can observe it. Northern people can never see it again. Fading out very slowly after the approach to the earth, however, it faded out rapidly in December. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   0 30.96  -61 59.2   2.608   2.260    58   15.0     10.4  53.7  20:47 ( 35, 39)  
Feb.  5   0 39.74  -61 19.5   2.711   2.345    58   15.3     10.8  61.5  20:39 ( 36, 37)

* C/1999 T1 ( McNaught-Hartley )
It is expected to be bright as 7 mag in late 2000. Northern people cannot observe it until December. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   1 13.95  -38 35.2   4.656   4.275    61   15.1      7.8  37.5  20:47 ( 67, 42)  
Feb.  5   1 17.14  -37 52.0   4.649   4.205    57   15.1      8.6  44.3  20:39 ( 66, 38)

* C/1999 J2 ( Skiff )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 1
It will be observable as 15 mag with a good condition. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  16 36.62   35  0.7   7.245   7.124    79   15.3      3.3  64.5   3:37 (229, -4)  
Feb.  5  16 38.09   35 12.4   7.179   7.121    82   15.3      2.9  48.3   3:47 (224,  1)

* 106P/Schuster

 Image: 2000 Jan. 8
Rapidly fading since December. It is 14 mag visually, a bit brighter than this ephemeris. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   1 56.17   21 54.5   1.346   1.617    86   15.3     39.3  54.0  20:47 (132, 15)  
Feb.  5   2 12.59   24 29.7   1.420   1.639    83   15.6     39.1  57.0  20:39 (133, 13)

* C/1998 M5 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 1999 Dec. 27
Gradually fading. The altitude in the Northerm Hemisphere will not high after this. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  10 17.57  -21 40.6   3.806   4.546   133   15.5     16.0 254.5   1:48 (180, 77)  
Feb.  5  10  9.65  -22  5.5   3.817   4.608   139   15.5     16.2 259.8   1:13 (180, 77)

* C/1999 T2 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 8
It will be 13 mag at good position in 2000 September. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  22 16.57   24 55.1   4.766   4.182    48   15.6      5.3  49.8  20:47 (103,-26)  
Feb.  5  22 18.81   25 22.5   4.782   4.139    44   15.6      6.3  46.1  20:39 (102,-30)

* C/1998 T1 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 1999 Dec. 27
Appearing at dawn. It was 15.3 mag on Dec. 21 by KenIchi Kadota, Ageo, as bright as the ephemeris. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  13 43.49  -18  4.2   2.875   3.163    97   15.7     17.0 286.5   3:37 (238, 63)  
Feb.  5  13 34.75  -17 25.3   2.804   3.233   107   15.7     20.4 287.9   3:47 (216, 69)

* C/1999 S3 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 1999 Dec. 30
It has got diffused in December and now fading rapidly. It is 14 mag visually, a bit brighter than this ephemeris. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  20 43.82   58 57.1   2.109   2.120    77   15.7     17.2  19.2  20:47 (142,-49)  
Feb.  5  20 49.14   60 59.1   2.147   2.157    77   16.2     19.4  17.0   3:47 (216,-45)

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

 Image: 2000 Jan. 15
Actually, it will be brighter than this ephemeris. It is 14 mag visually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   7  0.98   27 30.2   2.829   3.743   154   15.7      8.3 279.5  22:28 (180, 27)  
Feb.  5   6 57.00   27 38.4   2.871   3.736   146   15.7      6.9 278.1  21:56 (180, 27)

* P/1999 U3 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 3
Although it has been brightening after perihelion passage, it turned to be fading rapidly after mid January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   4 10.40   38 40.8   1.312   1.977   118   16.0     24.7 128.8  20:47 (166, 15)  
Feb.  5   4 22.20   36 56.8   1.392   2.002   113   16.3     25.1 124.4  20:39 (164, 16)

* 59P/Kearns-Kwee

 Image: 1999 Dec. 29
It keeps 16 mag and the good position until February. It is 14 mag visually, much brighter than this ephemeris. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   8  9.98   22 47.9   1.578   2.555   170   16.1     11.4 258.3  23:36 (180, 32)  
Feb.  5   8  4.66   22 30.5   1.617   2.576   162   16.3     10.1 254.7  23:04 (180, 33)

* C/1999 E1 ( Li )

 Image: 1999 Dec. 9
It keeps 16 mag at good position until 2000 May. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  10 35.15   31 17.0   3.859   4.748   151   16.2     11.4 334.0   2:06 (180, 24)  
Feb.  5  10 32.16   32 27.4   3.861   4.776   155   16.2     11.4 329.4   1:35 (180, 23)

* C/1999 Y1 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 8
It will reach to 13 mag in 2000 November. It will be brightening gradually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   2 24.63   64  3.7   4.644   4.979   104   16.3     16.0 196.8  20:47 (162,-15)  
Feb.  5   2 20.81   62 18.7   4.689   4.932    98   16.3     14.9 190.9  20:39 (158,-15)

* 84P/Giclas

 Image: 2000 Jan. 3
After the perihelion passage, it has been getting brighter. But now it is fading since January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   4 48.65   19  1.4   1.571   2.280   124   16.3      8.5  49.3  20:47 (171, 35)  
Feb.  5   4 52.48   19 39.5   1.673   2.312   118   16.6     10.5  59.3  20:39 (167, 34)

* 95P/(2060) Chiron

 Image: 1999 June 12
Appearing at dawn. No observations reported since June. The altitude will be 38 deg at best after this in the Northern Hemisphere. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  16 54.61  -18 17.1  10.407   9.861    54   16.5      5.4  90.9   3:37 (276, 25)  
Feb.  5  16 57.13  -18 17.4  10.320   9.873    60   16.5      4.9  89.7   3:47 (271, 32)

* P/1998 U3 ( Jager )

 Image: 1999 May 12
Appearing at dawn. No observations reported since June 13. It may be much fainter than this ephemeris. The altitude will be around 15 deg after this in the Northern Hemisphere. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  14 52.58  -36  5.7   3.607   3.528    77   16.8     11.6 130.4   3:37 (284, 57)  
Feb.  5  14 57.26  -36 57.0   3.550   3.570    83   16.8     10.2 134.7   3:47 (284, 63)

* C/1999 XS87 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 15
It keeps the good condition until March, but it will fade out after this. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   6 13.42   17 28.9   2.366   3.218   144   16.9      4.2 226.8  21:40 (180, 38)  
Feb.  5   6 12.42   17 10.2   2.458   3.251   137   17.1      2.7 202.9  21:12 (180, 38)

* 1999 LD31
Retrograde asteroid. It will be overhead as 17 mag until March. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  13  0.62   16  7.4   1.871   2.499   118   17.1     44.0 303.3   3:37 (196, 37)  
Feb.  5  12 40.57   19  4.3   1.770   2.523   130   17.0     52.2 300.3   3:44 (180, 36)

* C/1998 K2 ( LINEAR )
Although it has passed the perihelion in 1998 September, it is unexpectedly bright still now. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   3  6.54  -18 39.2   5.569   5.648    89   17.0      9.9   0.4  20:47 (110, 56)  
Feb.  5   3  6.86  -17 30.5   5.720   5.703    84   17.1      9.8   7.4  20:39 (108, 52)

* C/1999 U4 ( Catalina-Skiff )

 Image: 1999 Nov. 28
It will reach to 15 mag in 2001. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   1 44.77   21 44.4   6.908   6.873    83   17.1      3.3  39.9  20:47 (130, 14)  
Feb.  5   1 46.06   22  3.2   6.987   6.838    77   17.1      4.2  46.5  20:39 (127, 11)

* 50P/Arend

 Image: 1999 Sept. 20
Fading out gradually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   7 20.73   49 13.7   1.586   2.458   144   17.1     13.0 224.2  22:47 (180,  6)  
Feb.  5   7 15.18   48  3.5   1.654   2.492   140   17.3     12.5 211.8  22:14 (180,  7)

* C/1999 F1 ( Catalina )
It will pass the perihelion in 2002 February and it will brighten gradually after this. But the altitude is highest now and keeps low after this for the Northern people. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  13 16.34  -24 13.6   7.519   7.769   101   17.3      5.6 216.2   3:37 (239, 72)  
Feb.  5  13 14.37  -24 44.4   7.375   7.738   108   17.2      6.1 225.5   3:47 (214, 78)

* C/1999 F2 ( Dalcanton )

 Image: 1999 June 30
It keeps the good condition until autumn. It will fade out gradually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  17  8.82   14 44.6   6.603   6.205    62   17.3     11.3  56.0   3:37 (250,  3)  
Feb.  5  17 13.16   15 30.5   6.560   6.239    66   17.3     11.0  51.6   3:47 (244,  9)

* 4P/Faye

 Image: 1999 Nov. 19
No observations reported since mid December. Only few observations reported even before that. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  10  6.32    0  9.6   1.988   2.899   152   17.4     12.5 291.4   1:37 (180, 55)  
Feb.  5  10  0.66    0 45.1   1.993   2.941   160   17.6     13.7 293.9   1:04 (180, 54)

* P/1999 V1 ( Catalina )
Although the condition is good until April, it will be only 17 mag at best. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   9 52.43    1 11.7   2.102   3.028   155   17.4      9.8 251.4   1:23 (180, 54)  
Feb.  5   9 47.88    0 53.1   2.086   3.040   162   17.4     10.4 257.7   0:51 (180, 54)

* C/1999 U1 ( Ferris )

 Image: 1999 Nov. 13
Although the condition is good, it will fade out gradually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   3 11.79   14 50.0   5.618   5.889   101   17.4      6.2 316.4  20:47 (143, 32)  
Feb.  5   3 10.06   15 21.9   5.779   5.927    93   17.5      5.4 327.9  20:39 (138, 28)

* 10P/Tempel 2

 Image: 1999 Dec. 23
It was extremely diffused in December. No CCD observations reported in January. But it is 14 mag still now visually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   0 36.03   -7 12.3   2.365   2.017    57   17.5     34.1  62.9  20:47 ( 95, 20)  
Feb.  5   0 50.17   -5 25.0   2.467   2.058    54   17.9     33.5  63.2  20:39 ( 96, 18)

* (10199) Chariklo

 Image: 1999 Jan. 22
A Centaur asteroid. The perihelion passage is in 2004. It will keep the current brightness over 10 years after this. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   9 51.40   -0  7.3  12.459  13.360   155   17.5      3.3 274.8   1:22 (180, 55)  
Feb.  5   9 49.83   -0  4.8  12.420  13.357   161   17.5      3.4 277.5   0:53 (180, 55)

* C/1999 T3 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 1999 Nov. 13
Because it is extremely far away, it keeps brighter than 17 mag until late 2000. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   2  7.30    4 59.4   5.630   5.598    83   17.7      4.6 168.8  20:47 (121, 30)  
Feb.  5   2  7.99    4 29.9   5.738   5.583    76   17.8      4.4 152.7  20:39 (117, 27)

* D/1984 H1 ( Kowal-Mrkos )
Only 8 observations reported during one month in 1984. The orbit and brightness are extremely uncertain. The ephemeris says it is highest and brightest until April. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   9 19.51    8  0.3   2.246   3.212   166   17.8     10.1 280.8   0:50 (180, 47)  
Feb.  5   9 14.67    8 15.6   2.211   3.191   172   17.8     10.8 283.1   0:18 (180, 47)

* C/1999 J4 ( LINEAR )
Both the brightness and altitude are at best now. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  14 16.92   68 45.2   3.395   3.834   109   17.8     28.2 341.6   3:37 (192,-16)  
Feb.  5  14  1.89   71 50.7   3.383   3.845   110   17.8     29.0 334.4   3:47 (186,-18)

* P/1998 U4 ( Spahr )
The best condition of this comet is until March, at 45 deg high as 18 mag for the Northern people. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   7 53.50  -14 41.3   3.320   4.165   144   17.8      9.5 305.5  23:20 (180, 70)  
Feb.  5   7 49.93  -13 58.9   3.342   4.177   143   17.8      9.6 313.1  22:49 (180, 69)

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