Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2002 Nov. 23: South)

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Updated on November 23, 2002
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Southern Hemisphere.

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* C/2001 RX14 ( LINEAR )


Getting brighter as expected. It will be observable at 10 mag in the good condition for a long time from winter to next spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  10 46.79   48 24.0   1.818   2.166    96   11.2     25.1  97.9   3:01 (213, -7)  
Nov. 30  11  3.60   47 58.4   1.747   2.142    99   11.0     23.5  98.9   2:56 (213, -6)  

* 22P/Kopff


It will appear at dawn in next June at 15.5 mag, then it will be fading.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  17 17.30  -21 36.7   2.490   1.595    19   11.5     45.1  96.6  20:31 ( 61, -3)  
Nov. 30  17 40.02  -22  6.5   2.498   1.588    17   11.5     45.6  94.4  20:40 ( 58, -5)  

* C/2002 Q5 ( LINEAR )


It will appear at dawn at 14 mag in late December. Then it will fade out.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  16 27.99  -10  9.6   2.186   1.244    13   12.4     14.9 202.6  20:31 ( 61,-20)  
Nov. 30  16 25.34  -11 43.7   2.214   1.254     9   12.6     14.2 202.6  20:40 ( 52,-25)  

* 28P/Neujmin 1


It was much fainter than this ephemeris, 17.4 mag on July 31 by Akimasa Nakamura. No further observations were reported, so the current brightness is uncertain.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  19 11.78  -28 40.4   2.134   1.607    45   13.2     43.8  74.2  20:31 ( 70, 22)  
Nov. 30  19 34.22  -27  9.6   2.148   1.587    43   13.2     45.0  72.2  20:40 ( 70, 19)  

* C/2001 HT50 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


It will be observable in good condition at 11-12 mag in early 2003 and 2003 autumn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23   9 53.02   -5 33.5   3.504   3.610    88   13.4     10.5 255.0   3:01 (242, 42)  
Nov. 30   9 47.52   -5 50.9   3.326   3.567    96   13.2     13.5 260.6   2:56 (235, 47)  

* 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko


It brightened about 1 mag after perihelion passage and reached to 12 mag. Now already getting fainter, but still bright as 13.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  11 15.29   12 39.1   1.653   1.705    75   13.5     25.8 106.0   3:01 (243, 15)  
Nov. 30  11 26.52   11 52.9   1.631   1.754    80   13.6     23.0 105.2   2:56 (241, 17)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


It seems to keep 12 mag recently.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  20 44.74  -17 11.4   6.079   5.791    68   13.6      7.7  70.8  20:31 ( 93, 35)  
Nov. 30  20 48.49  -16 52.8   6.180   5.789    62   13.7      8.5  71.0  20:40 ( 88, 28)  

* C/2002 V1 ( NEAT )


It will approach to the sun down to 0.1 AU in February. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be observable visually from January to early February in the evening sky. It will disappear around the perihelion passage.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23   4 22.70   16 41.6   1.088   2.070   172   14.4     51.3 270.9   0:18 (180, 38)  
Nov. 30   3 54.56   16 41.2   0.972   1.953   171   13.8     64.2 269.3  23:14 (180, 38)  

* C/2001 K5 ( LINEAR )


Although it becomes low for a while in early December, it will be getting higher after mid December. It is observable in good condition at 14-15 mag until 2003 autumn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  17 11.16   19  0.2   5.864   5.194    43   14.0     13.1  78.2  20:31 ( 94,-29)  
Nov. 30  17 17.60   19 21.2   5.875   5.198    43   14.0     13.6  75.8  20:40 ( 90,-35)  

* C/2000 SV74 ( LINEAR )


Getting fainter very slowly. It keeps 14-15 mag until 2003 summer.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  14 39.91   42  3.5   4.329   4.006    64   14.2     11.4 123.1   3:01 (241,-38)  
Nov. 30  14 45.69   41 24.2   4.319   4.035    66   14.2     10.2 119.2   2:56 (240,-35)  

* 65P/Gunn


It will appear at dawn soon. It is observable at 12.5 mag for long time from April to August in 2003.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  14 50.33  -12 12.4   3.582   2.654    17   14.7     27.2 110.3   3:01 (295,-13)  
Nov. 30  15  2.58  -13 17.1   3.537   2.639    20   14.6     27.3 109.5   2:56 (294,-10)  

* 46P/Wirtanen


It bursted out on Sept. 24 and reached to 8.5 mag. Then it faded to 11 mag soon. However, it keeps around 11.5 mag since mid October until early November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  12 42.33    5 20.5   1.914   1.544    53   14.6     34.0 106.2   3:01 (262,  2)  
Nov. 30  12 57.08    4 17.5   1.918   1.603    56   15.8     31.6 105.6   2:56 (262,  4)  

* C/2002 U2 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It will keep 15 mag until February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  15 18.44   63 40.2   1.027   1.351    84   14.9     65.2 145.5   3:01 (212,-45)  
Nov. 30  15 48.86   57 31.1   1.058   1.307    79   14.8     57.9 150.9   2:56 (220,-47)  

* 30P/Reinmuth 1


It will be observable in good condition at 14 mag in winter.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  10  7.14   11 20.6   1.609   1.898    90   15.2     28.4 101.3   3:01 (231, 27)  
Nov. 30  10 20.11   10 43.4   1.535   1.890    94   15.1     27.1 100.6   2:56 (229, 29)  

* 116P/Wild 4


Although it was expected to be 11 mag, the brightening pace is very slow in this return. It is still 15 mag. It will be 13.5 mag at best in 2003 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  12 48.48   -3 43.6   2.748   2.211    47   15.2     30.8 114.2   3:01 (270,  6)  
Nov. 30  13  1.61   -5 11.2   2.678   2.202    51   15.1     30.6 114.0   2:56 (270,  9)  

* 155P/2002 R2 ( Shoemaker 3 )


Recovered 3 mag fainter than expected. Although it will be at the peak in 2003 January and be observable in good condition, it may reach to 14.5 mag at best.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23   8 55.65   17 55.1   1.249   1.829   109   15.4     25.5  93.9   3:01 (210, 31)  
Nov. 30   9  7.62   17 45.3   1.187   1.821   113   15.2     23.4  92.4   2:56 (208, 32)  

* C/2001 N2 ( LINEAR )


It will appear at dawn at 15 mag in January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  15 26.73  -19 19.5   3.829   2.849     6   15.3     10.3 158.4   3:01 (307,-15)  
Nov. 30  15 28.55  -20 26.1   3.829   2.876    12   15.4     10.1 159.7   2:56 (304,-10)  

* 154P/2002 Q4 ( Brewington )


Although it was expected to be 10 mag in winter, it does not brighten at all. It will be 15.5 mag at best.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  20 55.91  -18  3.6   1.935   1.861    70   15.9     29.0  56.9  20:31 ( 94, 38)  
Nov. 30  21  8.21  -16 10.2   1.965   1.824    67   15.9     30.9  57.6  20:40 ( 92, 32)  

* 81P/Wild 2


It is already 16 mag, brighter than expected. But it is only observable until next spring. It is not observable around the perihelion passage.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23   4 34.53   17 27.9   2.065   3.042   169   16.0     13.5 260.8   0:29 (180, 38)  
Nov. 30   4 27.76   17 12.6   2.019   3.003   175   15.9     14.4 261.4  23:50 (180, 38)  

* 92P/Sanguin


It became brighter than expected, reached to 13 mag. But it is fading rapidly after that.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  23 15.44  -11 15.4   1.407   1.914   104   16.0     26.2  88.0  20:31 (136, 59)  
Nov. 30  23 28.04  -11  2.2   1.497   1.939   100   16.4     26.9  84.1  20:40 (128, 56)  

* C/1999 U4 ( Catalina-Skiff )


It keeps 16 mag until 2003 June.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  13 10.74   35 33.0   6.058   5.758    67   16.1      8.6 105.3   3:01 (240,-20)  
Nov. 30  13 15.28   35 19.6   6.009   5.785    72   16.1      7.7 101.6   2:56 (238,-17)  

* C/2002 R3 ( LONEOS )


It will be observable at 16-17 mag until the end of 2003.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23   2 24.27   18 48.0   3.313   4.250   158   16.3     28.4 257.8  22:13 (180, 36)  
Nov. 30   2 11.01   18  5.0   3.351   4.226   148   16.3     26.8 256.7  21:33 (180, 37)  

* C/2002 T7 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It is expected to be 1 mag in the southern sky in 2004 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23   5 41.03   28 32.3   5.631   6.534   154   16.4     11.0 273.7   1:35 (180, 26)  
Nov. 30   5 34.93   28 36.2   5.524   6.471   162   16.3     11.9 272.2   1:01 (180, 26)  

* 2002 RP120


Asteroid with a cometary orbit. It will be fading after this.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23   0 26.69   23  1.2   1.754   2.525   132   16.5     41.5 268.0  20:31 (176, 32)  
Nov. 30   0  7.81   22 48.3   1.884   2.541   121   16.8     33.2 266.7  20:40 (161, 30)  

* C/2002 E2 ( Snyder-Murakami )


It keeps 16 mag since August unexpectedly.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23  17 49.60   73 36.2   3.494   3.725    95   16.7     19.5  84.6  20:31 (160,-37)  
Nov. 30  18 22.33   73 44.5   3.540   3.794    97   16.8     20.0  87.4  20:40 (160,-37)  

* C/2002 A3 ( LINEAR )


Appearing at dawn. It keeps 17 mag until next April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23   9 35.62    9 29.6   5.180   5.396    97   17.2      4.9  49.9   3:01 (225, 33)  
Nov. 30   9 37.12    9 53.7   5.085   5.412   104   17.2      4.5  34.4   2:56 (220, 36)  

* P/2002 T5 ( LINEAR )


It is observable at 17.5 mag in this winter and next winter.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23   4 28.26  -14 33.1   3.281   4.122   144   17.2      8.4 273.4   0:22 (180, 70)  
Nov. 30   4 24.14  -14 24.9   3.272   4.111   144   17.2      8.8 281.9  23:46 (180, 69)  

* 90P/Gehrels 1


It became 17 mag, brighter than expected. It keeps 17 mag in the high position until December.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23   5 27.27   35 22.1   2.236   3.156   154   17.2      8.2 286.8   1:21 (180, 20)  
Nov. 30   5 22.44   35 35.8   2.224   3.173   160   17.3      9.1 280.0   0:49 (180, 19)  

* C/2001 B2 ( NEAT )


Appearing at dawn. It is getting fainter gradually. It keeps brighter than 18 mag until March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23   9 37.74   21 48.9   7.637   7.882   100   17.6      5.3 317.9   3:01 (218, 23)  
Nov. 30   9 35.71   22 17.5   7.550   7.917   108   17.6      6.2 313.3   2:56 (212, 25)  

* 2002 CE10


Asteroid with a cometary orbit. It will be 15.7 mag at opposition in early September in 2003.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 23   8 42.98   54  1.2   2.392   2.968   116   18.1     32.3 330.0   3:01 (194, -1)  
Nov. 30   8 26.87   57 23.8   2.257   2.920   123   17.9     37.5 322.9   2:56 (188, -3)  

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