Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2001 Jan. 27: South)

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Updated on January 29, 2001
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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 T1 ( McNaught-Hartley )


It keeps brighter than 9 mag in February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  16  9.10    9 36.4   1.296   1.364    72    8.0     72.0  34.9   3:36 (245, 17)  
Feb.  3  16 28.53   16 35.7   1.287   1.422    76    8.1     72.3  33.2   3:45 (237, 15)  

* 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3


Not observable. It will appear at dawn as 16 mag in July.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  19 17.96  -24  2.3   1.807   0.937    19    8.3     72.7  89.1   3:36 (300, -1)  
Feb.  3  19 54.68  -23 35.3   1.825   0.942    18    8.3     71.4  85.3   3:45 (300, -1)  

* C/2000 W1 ( Utsunomiya-Jones )


Now it is diffused. It passes 1 deg from 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak on Jan. 26.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  17 31.67  -18  2.8   1.267   0.885    44   10.5     35.5 267.3   3:36 (281, 16)  
Feb.  3  17 13.29  -18 12.1   1.187   1.027    55   11.0     40.0 268.5   3:45 (274, 27)  

* 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak


It was very diffused and hard to see in mid January. It passes 1 deg from C/2000 W1 ( Utsunomiya-Jones ) on Jan. 26.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  17 37.49  -17  0.7   1.577   1.087    42   11.4     59.6  91.6   3:36 (281, 14)  
Feb.  3  18  5.86  -17  3.1   1.605   1.114    43   11.9     56.6  89.4   3:45 (280, 16)  

* C/1999 Y1 ( LINEAR )


The altitude is getting lower gradually. It seemed to be fading recently.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  23 54.29    6  4.3   3.611   3.139    54   12.5     10.9 153.0  20:48 (100,  4)  
Feb.  3  23 56.86    5  0.9   3.712   3.128    47   12.6     10.4 144.9  20:40 ( 97,  2)  

* C/1999 T2 ( LINEAR )


Being higher in the morining sky. It is observable as 13.5 mag until May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  17  5.25   25 24.3   3.335   3.101    67   13.5      3.8 340.1   3:36 (242, -4)  
Feb.  3  17  4.11   25 54.0   3.264   3.116    72   13.5      5.8 327.1   3:45 (236,  2)  

* C/1999 K5 ( LINEAR )


It hardly faded out since the perihelion passage in 2000 June.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   5 13.45  -62 51.3   3.673   3.792    89   13.8     22.9 345.6  20:48 (  1, 62)  
Feb.  3   5  8.88  -60 12.3   3.701   3.825    89   13.9     23.4 351.0  20:40 (  8, 65)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


Not observable. It will appear at dawn in March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  18 31.82  -28 37.8   6.809   5.981    30   14.0     11.2  86.6   3:36 (298, 10)  
Feb.  3  18 37.65  -28 33.0   6.745   5.979    36   14.0     10.8  86.3   3:45 (294, 16)  

* 110P/Hartley 3


Brightened rapidly and reached to 14 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   3 41.67   26 41.4   1.956   2.498   112   14.0     10.1 115.9  20:48 (157, 24)  
Feb.  3   3 47.02   26 13.4   2.034   2.493   106   14.0     12.0 107.4  20:40 (154, 24)  

* 47P/Ashbrook-Jackson


Getting lower in the evening sky, it will not be observable soon.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  23  0.97   -7  4.5   3.025   2.310    36   14.1     30.5  61.1  20:48 ( 82,  1)  
Feb.  3  23 13.55   -5 20.5   3.077   2.314    33   14.2     30.7  61.0  20:40 ( 83, -1)  

* C/2001 B2 ( NEAT )


New comet. Because it is far away, it keeps 14 mag until June.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  12  2.97  -21 56.1   4.807   5.307   115   14.7     12.4 289.8   3:36 (183, 77)  
Feb.  3  11 56.67  -21 22.5   4.688   5.298   123   14.6     14.4 291.9   3:04 (180, 76)  

* 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. 27   4 28.62  -79  7.5  12.980  12.791    76   14.6      4.4 324.0  20:48 (  3, 46)  
Feb.  3   4 23.05  -78 41.3  13.014  12.836    77   14.7      4.3 332.6  20:40 (  5, 46)  

* C/2000 K2 ( LINEAR )


It keeps brightening even after the perihelion passage and reached to 14 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  22  1.92   -0  3.5   3.531   2.698    27   14.7     29.4  80.5  20:48 ( 79,-15)  
Feb.  3  22 15.32    0 32.0   3.601   2.731    24   14.8     28.9  79.5  20:40 ( 79,-17)  

* C/2000 CT54 ( LINEAR )


Although it reaches to 13.5 mag in 2001 summer, only southern people can observe it.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  17  9.56  -57 52.4   3.919   3.444    54   14.8     23.8 120.9   3:36 (320, 36)  
Feb.  3  17 28.00  -59 16.2   3.835   3.418    58   14.8     23.9 120.0   3:45 (322, 38)  

* 71P/Clark


It is not observable at all until 2001 summer when it becomes fainter than 19 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  20 29.37  -24 26.6   2.625   1.650     6   14.9     43.6  78.6   3:36 (312,-12)  
Feb.  3  20 50.89  -23 21.2   2.644   1.673     7   15.0     42.8  76.7   3:45 (309,-11)  

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh


It is observable in good condition as 15 mag from February to April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  12  6.39    8 20.8   2.849   3.547   128   15.3      2.6 344.9   3:36 (182, 47)  
Feb.  3  12  5.62    8 40.9   2.774   3.547   135   15.2      4.1 321.1   3:13 (180, 46)  

* C/1999 U4 ( Catalina-Skiff )


It will be observable in good condition as 15 mag until February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   2 17.24   51 39.3   5.073   5.353   101   15.3      1.8 117.8  20:48 (154, -5)  
Feb.  3   2 18.91   51 35.0   5.143   5.332    95   15.3      2.9  97.9  20:40 (152, -7)  

* 44P/Reinmuth 2


It will appear at dawn in July as 16.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  21 37.40  -11 20.0   2.828   1.901    16   15.4     38.3  68.7  20:48 ( 66,-13)  
Feb.  3  21 54.33   -9 40.2   2.840   1.895    13   15.4     38.5  67.8  20:40 ( 67,-14)  

* C/1999 J2 ( Skiff )


It is observable as 15.5 mag until 2001 autumn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  16  3.89   10 24.2   7.580   7.361    73   15.6      2.6 107.2   3:36 (244, 17)  
Feb.  3  16  4.85   10 20.1   7.491   7.373    79   15.5      1.7 105.1   3:45 (237, 23)  

* C/1999 K8 ( LINEAR )


Recently it is fading rapidly. It should be fainter than this ephemeris.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   1 41.72  -10 19.4   4.976   4.791    73   15.7      8.5  81.4  20:48 (103, 36)  
Feb.  3   1 45.90  -10  9.4   5.102   4.818    67   15.8      9.4  80.3  20:40 (101, 32)  

* C/2001 A2 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It will approach to the earth and reach to 10 mag in June and July.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   7 57.29    9 51.8   1.162   2.132   166   16.6     35.9 247.7  23:28 (180, 45)  
Feb.  3   7 40.97    8 12.1   1.093   2.039   157   16.3     38.6 247.5  22:44 (180, 47)  

* C/2001 B1 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It will only to fade out.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   3 19.80  -25 55.7   3.013   3.185    90   16.4     28.1 339.9  20:48 (102, 63)  
Feb.  3   3 15.66  -22 55.5   3.139   3.217    85   16.6     25.9 345.3  20:40 (102, 57)  

* C/2000 SV74 ( LINEAR )


It will be observable as 14 mag for one year after 2001 autumn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   0 50.21   10 26.8   5.638   5.358    68   16.5      6.1  23.5  20:48 (113, 13)  
Feb.  3   0 51.61   11  7.5   5.704   5.315    62   16.5      6.9  29.9  20:40 (110,  9)  

* C/1999 H3 ( LINEAR )


The condition is good in winter and spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  10 38.86    8 58.3   4.911   5.779   149   16.6     14.1 271.5   2:14 (180, 46)  
Feb.  3  10 32.01    9  1.6   4.898   5.823   157   16.6     14.8 272.1   1:40 (180, 46)  

* 24P/Schaumasse


It will reach to 10 mag in 2001 April and May, however, it was much fainter than expected recently. Maybe it reaches only to 14 mag at best.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   1 56.89    8 22.1   1.508   1.698    83   16.8     22.1  48.9  20:48 (123, 26)  
Feb.  3   2  5.57   10  6.9   1.524   1.642    78   16.6     25.2  52.4  20:40 (122, 23)  

* 2000 DG8


Asteroid with cometary orbit. It has just passed the perihelion.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   2 43.60  -25 19.5   2.079   2.196    83   16.6     20.1 277.4  20:48 ( 96, 56)  
Feb.  3   2 34.74  -24 58.6   2.222   2.203    76   16.7     15.0 282.5  20:40 ( 92, 50)  

* C/2001 A1 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It keeps 16 mag until late February, it will fade out rapidly after that.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  11 31.94   41 15.5   2.050   2.847   136   16.6     21.8 259.7   3:08 (180, 14)  
Feb.  3  11 17.97   40 41.4   2.034   2.882   142   16.6     24.3 256.2   2:26 (180, 14)  

* C/2000 K1 ( LINEAR )


Because it is far away, it keeps brighter than 17 mag until June.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  16 32.53   19 53.4   7.119   6.869    71   16.6      8.8  19.6   3:36 (241,  5)  
Feb.  3  16 33.80   20 53.7   7.048   6.888    76   16.6      9.2  13.5   3:45 (235, 11)  

* 70P/Kojima


It is observable in good condition as 16.5 mag until February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  13 12.27   -0  8.8   1.735   2.272   110   16.7      9.7  86.0   3:36 (209, 51)  
Feb.  3  13 16.09    0  0.4   1.682   2.297   116   16.7      7.0  73.8   3:45 (196, 54)  

* P/1999 WJ7 ( Korlevic )


It will be 17 mag until March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  10 24.79    7 20.7   2.748   3.645   151   17.0      7.7 285.1   2:00 (180, 48)  
Feb.  3  10 21.02    7 36.6   2.721   3.662   159   17.0      8.9 286.4   1:29 (180, 47)  

* 65P/Gunn


Although it is around the aphelion now, it is observable as 17 mag in good condition from December to March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   7 58.80   31  2.7   3.429   4.386   164   17.2     10.3 283.5  23:30 (180, 24)  
Feb.  3   7 53.49   31 17.3   3.446   4.374   157   17.2      9.6 280.8  22:57 (180, 24)  

* C/2000 U5 ( LINEAR )


Fading now. It will be fainter than 18 mag in March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   3 38.92   13 59.4   3.845   4.262   108   17.2      8.1 338.4  20:48 (151, 36)  
Feb.  3   3 37.94   14 51.7   4.018   4.323   101   17.4      7.4 351.5  20:40 (146, 33)  

* C/2000 Y2


New comet. It keeps 17.5 mag until late March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   9 22.25    0 55.5   1.887   2.830   159   17.4      5.0 309.9   0:58 (180, 54)  
Feb.  3   9 20.32    1 22.0   1.870   2.832   164   17.4      6.1 314.9   0:28 (180, 54)  

* 145P/Shoemaker-Levy 5


It will fade out and be fainter than 18 mag in February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   5  6.33   38 49.8   1.674   2.428   130   17.4      4.6 140.6  20:48 (178, 16)  
Feb.  3   5  8.89   38 24.7   1.770   2.461   123   17.6      6.7 122.6  20:40 (175, 16)  

* (10199) Chariklo


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. 27  10 17.75   -5 38.5  12.410  13.234   145   17.5      3.0 270.1   1:53 (180, 61)  
Feb.  3  10 16.29   -5 37.7  12.354  13.232   151   17.5      3.2 274.2   1:24 (180, 61)  

* C/2000 WM1 ( LINEAR )


It will be a naked-eye comet in 2001 December and 2002 January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   0 14.48   47 57.1   5.120   5.080    82   17.6     10.0 135.9  20:48 (137,-17)  
Feb.  3   0 19.62   47  9.5   5.137   5.008    76   17.6     10.1 129.0  20:40 (135,-18)  

* 2000 VU2


New asteroid with short periodic cometary orbit. It will fade out after this.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27   3 47.90   17 51.5   2.602   3.103   111   17.8      7.2 103.8  20:48 (155, 33)  
Feb.  3   3 51.79   17 41.8   2.697   3.107   105   17.9      8.9  96.9  20:40 (151, 32)  

* C/1999 N4 ( LINEAR )


Appearing at dawn. It may be brighter than this ephemeris.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 27  15 58.15   -0 22.1   6.043   5.796    70   17.9      3.3 330.4   3:36 (252, 25)  
Feb.  3  15 57.12   -0  0.5   5.938   5.813    77   17.9      4.4 319.8   3:45 (244, 32)  

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