Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2001 Dec. 15: North)

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Updated on December 17, 2001
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Northern Hemisphere.

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

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* C/2000 WM1 ( LINEAR )


Although it brightened rapidly in November and reached to 5.5 mag, the brightening stopped and it stays at 5.5 mag after late November. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will soon be unobservable until late February when it appears at dawn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  23 47.15  -35 19.1   0.420   1.002    80    5.6    134.2 216.3  18:20 (  3, 19)  
Dec. 22  23  4.79  -44 58.6   0.527   0.889    64    5.7     86.3 223.6  18:23 ( 15,  7)  

* 96P/Machholz 1


The comet must be bright now, but not yet observed in this return. It is getting lower even in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it appears after perihelion passage, late January, but will be fainter than 12 mag. So visual observation will be impossible.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  18 54.86  -45 48.5   1.508   0.795    28   12.5     29.2  62.9  18:20 ( 44,-15)  
Dec. 22  19 12.74  -43 49.9   1.353   0.624    25   11.3     35.5  52.8  18:23 ( 47,-16)  

* 19P/Borrelly


It has passed the peak and is fading now, but still bright. It is observable in good condition until to fade out.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  12  7.53   35 53.7   1.286   1.703    96   11.8     28.8  63.7   5:29 (262, 77)  
Dec. 22  12 21.54   37 26.1   1.282   1.748   100   12.0     26.1  58.2   5:33 (252, 80)  

* P/2001 Q6 ( NEAT )


Fading now, 11 mag in November and 12 mag in December. Very diffused. It is fading after this, but keeps observable for a while in the Northern Hemisphere.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  18 20.07   62 24.1   1.175   1.483    86   12.3      7.2 185.4  18:20 (147, 33)  
Dec. 22  18 19.76   61 51.1   1.233   1.514    85   12.7      2.4 181.2  18:23 (147, 30)  

* P/2001 MD7 ( LINEAR )


It became brighter than expected and reached to 12 mag. It locates in the evening sky until 2002 April. It may fade out rapidly after this.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  22 59.60  -23  1.1   1.103   1.268    74   12.3     58.6  68.6  18:20 ( 15, 31)  
Dec. 22  23 26.96  -20 20.6   1.127   1.285    74   12.5     59.5  66.2  18:23 ( 17, 33)  

* C/2000 SV74 ( LINEAR )


It will be observable at 13 mag until 2002 September.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  23  6.00   55 37.7   3.368   3.757   105   12.8      7.4 227.1  18:20 (161, 68)  
Dec. 22  23  2.45   55  5.4   3.419   3.737   101   12.8      5.3 218.3  18:23 (150, 65)  

* C/2001 W2 ( BATTeRS )


New comet. It bursted out and reached to 11 mag around Dec. 8. But then it faded to 13 mag and became diffused on Dec. 15. It will be unobservable soon in the Northern Hemisphere.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  19  5.00    2 34.2   1.709   1.060    34   13.1     52.0 150.0  18:20 ( 82, 15)  
Dec. 22  19 16.49   -2 21.9   1.813   1.050    27   13.2     46.1 149.6  18:23 ( 81,  9)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


Now observable. it will appear again at dawn in 2001 April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  19 27.39  -24 34.9   6.739   5.878    26   13.9     11.6  77.9  18:20 ( 57,  3)  
Dec. 22  19 33.27  -24 17.4   6.783   5.876    21   13.9     11.9  77.6  18:23 ( 61, -1)  

* C/2001 X1 ( LINEAR )


New comet. Although it reaches to 13.7 mag in January, it locates very low in the Northern Hemisphere after mid January..
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  12 14.24   -8 51.4   1.698   1.750    76   14.6     38.9 204.1   5:29 (336, 43)  
Dec. 22  12  5.04  -13 18.8   1.548   1.742    83   14.4     47.1 209.4   5:33 (350, 41)  

* 2001 TX16


New asteroid. It will approach to the earth and reach to 13.8 mag in January and February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   8 40.36   28 30.4   0.607   1.487   137   14.7     27.7  66.4   3:06 (  0, 83)  
Dec. 22   8 53.39   29 51.9   0.568   1.470   141   14.5     26.2  62.2   2:51 (  0, 85)  

* C/1999 Y1 ( LINEAR )


Some reported it at 12 mag. Northern people can never see it again.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  21 16.65  -50 54.1   4.540   4.000    51   14.6      3.5  40.0  18:20 ( 24, -3)  
Dec. 22  21 18.69  -50 36.6   4.651   4.040    46   14.7      4.0  54.8  18:23 ( 28, -5)  

* C/1999 U4 ( Catalina-Skiff )


It is observable until 2002 autumn at 15 mag. But it is as faint as 16 mag by CCD.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  11 27.25   73 21.1   4.469   4.929   112   14.7      7.4  36.2   5:29 (183, 52)  
Dec. 22  11 33.46   74  3.1   4.446   4.934   114   14.7      6.8  27.0   5:31 (180, 51)  

* C/2000 CT54 ( LINEAR )


It appears low in the evening sky from December to January even in the Northern Hemisphere.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  22 51.08  -41  8.2   3.840   3.588    67   15.0     21.0  28.0  18:20 ( 13, 13)  
Dec. 22  22 57.33  -38 59.9   3.949   3.620    63   15.1     21.0  30.5  18:23 ( 18, 13)  

* 15P/Finlay


Not yet observed in this return. It keeps brighter than 16 mag until April. But the condition is worst. It always locates very low in the evening sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  19 22.61  -24 20.7   2.090   1.278    25   15.7     49.5  81.7  18:20 ( 58,  2)  
Dec. 22  19 48.18  -23 20.7   2.050   1.226    24   15.4     52.2  79.2  18:23 ( 59,  2)  

* 16P/Brooks 2


It has been 16 mag since July. Then it must have fade out, but on the contraty it brightened and reached to 15 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   4 51.82   12 44.7   1.263   2.231   166   15.5     11.4 270.0  23:14 (  0, 68)  
Dec. 22   4 46.84   12 47.9   1.316   2.263   159   15.7      9.4 275.6  22:41 (  0, 68)  

* 65P/Gunn


It will be 15 mag in next spring at opposition.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  11 39.54   14  8.2   3.448   3.641    93   16.2      8.3  92.7   5:29 (337, 68)  
Dec. 22  11 43.22   14  8.1   3.326   3.621    99   16.1      6.9  86.8   5:33 (355, 69)  

* C/2001 N2 ( LINEAR )


It will be 14.5 mag in 2002 July. Although it will be unobesrvable in January, it will appear again at dawn soon.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  20  9.86   16 57.7   4.132   3.675    56   16.2      8.0 162.5  18:20 ( 85, 37)  
Dec. 22  20 11.25   16  8.5   4.169   3.629    50   16.2      7.2 153.1  18:23 ( 89, 30)  

* C/1999 T2 ( LINEAR )


Appearing at dawn. It keeps the same brightness until 2002 April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  13 37.28   -8 28.0   5.191   4.735    57   16.3      6.2 169.3   5:29 (313, 33)  
Dec. 22  13 37.56   -9  9.5   5.127   4.782    64   16.3      5.8 179.8   5:33 (321, 37)  

* C/2000 OF8 ( Spacewatch )


It had been in the southern sky, but appearing at dawn also in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps the same brightness until 2002 February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  12  1.43  -23 17.9   2.743   2.650    74   16.4     13.3 272.3   5:29 (345, 30)  
Dec. 22  11 53.82  -23 10.2   2.641   2.695    82   16.4     16.9 275.8   5:33 (355, 32)  

* 2001 OG108


New asteroid with 50-year period. It closes to the earth down to 0.55 AU in 2001 April and reaches to 14 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  21 39.14   22 29.6   1.661   1.713    75   16.7     10.2 286.2  18:20 ( 77, 58)  
Dec. 22  21 34.95   22 55.7   1.689   1.633    69   16.6      8.3 304.0  18:23 ( 84, 51)  

* P/2001 Q2 ( Petriew )


Faded rapidly and reached to 16.4 mag. But it suddenly brightened again to 14.7 mag on Nov. 27.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  10 42.09  -11 54.5   1.262   1.680    95   16.6     10.4 155.6   5:07 (  0, 43)  
Dec. 22  10 43.14  -12 53.7   1.251   1.746   102   17.0      7.5 179.0   4:41 (  0, 42)  

* P/2001 R1 ( LONEOS )


It will be observable at 16.5 mag until March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  22 35.53  -11 45.8   1.510   1.544    73   16.8     34.7  59.8  18:20 ( 26, 40)  
Dec. 22  22 50.31   -9 39.3   1.527   1.509    70   16.7     37.2  60.0  18:23 ( 32, 40)  

* C/2001 RX14 ( LINEAR )


It will be 10.5 mag in 2003 February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   1  9.70   21 58.2   4.187   4.763   120   16.9      3.6 253.4  19:33 (  0, 77)  
Dec. 22   1  8.37   21 52.6   4.227   4.704   113   16.9      2.0 252.8  19:04 (  0, 77)  

* 51P/Harrington


Two nucleus A and D were discovered on Dec. 6. They are 16.5 mag, much brighter than expected.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   5 17.06   13 56.7   1.422   2.398   170   16.9     15.5 282.6  23:39 (  0, 69)  
Dec. 22   5 10.15   14 21.9   1.478   2.442   164   17.2     14.0 285.7  23:04 (  0, 69)  

* C/1999 K5 ( LINEAR )


No observations reported recently. However, it had been hardly fading for almost one year after the perihelion passage in 2000 July, and was bright at 15 mag in 2001 May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   7  8.34  -20  5.4   5.052   5.740   130   16.9     11.2 288.3   1:35 (  0, 35)  
Dec. 22   7  2.94  -19 37.0   5.056   5.786   134   17.0     12.0 292.5   1:02 (  0, 35)  

* C/2001 B2 ( NEAT )


It will keep 17 mag until 2002 March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  10 42.64    3 49.6   6.046   6.330   102   16.9      7.1 306.2   5:08 (  0, 59)  
Dec. 22  10 39.65    4 21.0   5.948   6.357   110   16.9      8.5 304.4   4:38 (  0, 59)  

* C/2001 HT50 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


Appearing at dawn. It will be 12.4 mag in 2003 February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  11 53.24  -12 57.1   6.112   6.013    79   17.2      3.2 227.0   5:29 (344, 41)  
Dec. 22  11 51.81  -13 11.1   5.936   5.962    86   17.1      4.1 243.3   5:33 (355, 42)  

* 116P/Wild 4


It will be 10.5 mag in 2003 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   6  9.68   28 11.3   2.333   3.306   169   17.3     12.0 274.4   0:36 (  0, 83)  
Dec. 22   6  3.15   28 16.3   2.300   3.281   175   17.1     12.6 272.4   0:02 (  0, 83)  

* 124P/Mrkos


It will be 15.5 mag in the evening sky in 2002 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   4 16.60   69 42.9   1.760   2.529   132   17.3     15.0 268.3  22:38 (180, 55)  
Dec. 22   3 57.25   69 25.7   1.733   2.487   130   17.2     14.4 252.9  21:51 (180, 56)  

* 110P/Hartley 3


It keeps 17 mag until 2002 February, but locates low in the south.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  11 58.34  -10 26.1   2.946   2.929    79   17.2     14.9 129.9   5:29 (342, 43)  
Dec. 22  12  3.37  -11 31.2   2.870   2.949    84   17.2     13.3 132.8   5:33 (351, 43)  

* (3200) Phaethon


It will pass the perihelion in 2002 April. The condition in this return is bad. It is only observable at 17 mag at best before perihelion passage.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   2 23.69   31  9.0   1.112   1.959   138   17.3     37.5 233.9  20:45 (  0, 86)  
Dec. 22   2  9.00   28 34.4   1.137   1.908   128   17.4     32.5 228.2  20:03 (  0, 83)  

* 31P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 2


It will be observable at 17 mag in January and February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   9 34.30   15 42.6   2.783   3.411   122   17.4      1.4  42.8   4:00 (  0, 71)  
Dec. 22   9 34.27   15 52.4   2.700   3.410   129   17.3      2.1 329.1   3:32 (  0, 71)  

* 7P/Pons-Winnecke


Not yet observed in this return. Good target for first observation. It will brighten in the morning sky until May when it reaches to 11.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  13 43.28   10 33.8   2.320   2.100    64   17.7     32.5 102.4   5:29 (294, 46)  
Dec. 22  13 58.52    9 45.7   2.204   2.047    67   17.4     33.3 101.6   5:33 (299, 49)  

* P/1993 K2 ( Helin-Lawrence )


It was not recovered in early 2001 though the brightness was expected at 18 mag. It is probably fainter than 20 mag now.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  13 32.45   -0  2.4   4.009   3.652    62   17.5     15.5 105.9   5:29 (307, 41)  
Dec. 22  13 39.26   -0 30.5   3.899   3.635    67   17.4     14.7 104.7   5:33 (314, 44)  

* 44P/Reinmuth 2


Fading. It will be fainter than 18 mag in January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   5  6.59   29  5.7   1.968   2.946   172   17.5     13.5 255.3  23:28 (  0, 84)  
Dec. 22   4 59.95   28 40.6   2.017   2.980   165   17.6     12.4 252.5  22:54 (  0, 84)  

* C/2001 W1 ( LINEAR )


New comet. Now it is at the peak.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   6 27.15   26 53.9   1.434   2.402   166   17.6     67.6 302.8   0:55 (  0, 82)  
Dec. 22   5 55.52   30 57.7   1.421   2.400   172   17.6     69.0 298.5  23:47 (  0, 86)  

* P/2001 T3 ( NEAT )


Fading. It will be fainter than 18 mag in January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   1 18.35   -0 14.0   1.965   2.539   114   17.6     12.8  15.7  19:41 (  0, 55)  
Dec. 22   1 20.57    1 14.1   2.036   2.530   108   17.7     14.2  25.3  19:16 (  0, 56)  

* (10199) Chariklo


It locates at 45 deg high at 17.5 mag until May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  10 48.94  -10 24.3  12.987  13.111    95   17.7      1.9 176.3   5:14 (  0, 45)  
Dec. 22  10 48.88  -10 36.7  12.872  13.109   101   17.6      1.7 193.1   4:47 (  0, 44)  

* P/2001 Q5 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


Fading now and it will be fainter than 18 mag in late December.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   1 23.79   24 28.9   1.776   2.468   124   17.7      6.0 110.2  19:47 (  0, 79)  
Dec. 22   1 27.32   24 17.5   1.875   2.495   118   17.8      8.2  98.3  19:23 (  0, 79)  

* P/2001 R6 ( LINEAR-Skiff )


Fading now and it will be fainter than 18 mag in late December.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   0 58.20   -7 44.6   1.651   2.153   106   17.7     20.9  30.8  19:22 (  0, 47)  
Dec. 22   1  3.76   -5 38.6   1.734   2.164   102   17.8     22.1  35.7  19:00 (  0, 49)  

* 77P/Longmore


Not yet observed in this return. It reaches only to 16 mag in 2002 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  11 29.17   29  4.6   2.498   2.857   101   18.1     10.1  91.7   5:29 (317, 82)  
Dec. 22  11 34.06   29  5.4   2.390   2.833   106   17.9      8.2  86.3   5:32 (  0, 84)  

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