Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2004 Feb. 21: North)

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Updated on February 22, 2004
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Northern Hemisphere.

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* C/2002 T7 ( LINEAR )


It brightened rapidly from mid December and reached to 7.5 mag in mid January. Then it turned to be brightening very slowly, and still 7 mag in mid February. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is getting lower in the evening sky after this, and will be unobservable in early March. It is not observable until April in the Southern Hemisphere.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21   0 10.79   13 45.0   2.011   1.373    37    6.6     10.2 217.7  19:11 ( 94, 19)  
Feb. 28   0  8.03   12 51.3   2.018   1.264    30    6.2      9.0 216.1  19:17 ( 98, 11)  

* C/2001 Q4 ( NEAT )


It is expected to be 2 mag in spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable around the same altitude in the evening sky until that time. On the other hand, in the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until that time.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  23 25.66  -66 49.2   2.014   1.696    57    8.1      9.2  51.0  19:11 ( 27,-31)  
Feb. 28  23 34.92  -66 13.5   1.886   1.610    58    7.8      9.8  63.5  19:17 ( 29,-33)  

* C/2003 H1 ( LINEAR )


It keeps observable at 12 mag in the south until April. In the Northern Hemisphere, it locates 30 deg high, not so high in the south.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  13 27.68  -24 55.2   1.565   2.240   120   12.2     55.0 254.3   3:28 (  0, 30)  
Feb. 28  12 56.97  -26 27.1   1.453   2.241   132   12.0     66.4 260.1   2:30 (  0, 29)  

* 43P/Wolf-Harrington


It will be observable at 12-13 mag in the evening sky until April. But it will be getting lower gradually.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21   2  1.74   14 56.3   1.807   1.600    61   12.5     40.6  85.0  19:11 ( 77, 43)  
Feb. 28   2 21.52   15 20.4   1.845   1.590    59   12.5     41.5  85.3  19:17 ( 80, 40)  

* 58P/Jackson-Neujmin


Not yet recovered in this return. At the previous appearance, it brightened after the perihelion passage and reached to 10 mag. If it behaves so again, it may brighten after the perihelion passage on Jan. 9 and reach to 13 mag in March. However, it keeps locating very low in the evening sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21   0 40.14   -3 32.1   2.142   1.474    36   13.3     50.4  71.2  19:11 ( 74, 16)  
Feb. 28   1  2.23   -1 39.0   2.191   1.503    35   12.5     49.5  71.1  19:17 ( 78, 15)  

* C/2003 T3 ( Tabur )


Not obesrvable. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear at dawn at 12.5 mag. However, because it had been fading since the discovery although it was coming closer to the Sun, the brightness in May is quite uncertain. Then it keeps low until autumn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  22 49.54   -9  3.7   2.728   1.757     8   12.6     38.2  42.1  19:11 ( 86,-10)  
Feb. 28  23  1.75   -5 41.5   2.690   1.708     5   12.6     39.5  41.8  19:17 ( 92,-12)  

* 88P/Howell


Curernt brightness is uncertain. It was observed as 16.1 mag on Dec. 31, 1.5 mag fainter than expected. Although it had been expected to reach to 10 mag in spring, it may be 12.5 or 14 mag at best. It is observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps locating lower than 15 deg until June.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  19  2.93  -23 41.3   1.959   1.478    47   13.4     50.5  86.5   5:16 (309, 11)  
Feb. 28  19 28.73  -23 11.1   1.906   1.452    48   13.1     51.3  84.1   5:08 (308, 10)  

* C/2003 K4 ( LINEAR )


It will be 6.5 mag in the southern sky from autumn to winter in 2004. It is getting higher in the morning sky. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable in good condition until early September when it becomes to 7.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  20  0.00   17 11.2   4.112   3.463    43   13.5      9.2  54.3   5:16 (266, 25)  
Feb. 28  20  3.55   17 52.5   3.984   3.385    46   13.3      9.5  47.2   5:08 (268, 29)  

* C/2001 HT50 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


It is still observable visually at 13 mag, however, it is getting lower and lower in the evening sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21   0 38.47    9 30.2   4.288   3.603    41   13.7      3.1  36.0  19:11 ( 86, 23)  
Feb. 28   0 39.53    9 49.2   4.417   3.646    34   13.9      3.9  42.0  19:17 ( 91, 16)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


Not observable. It will appear at dawn in May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  23  8.46   -0  4.5   6.665   5.728    17   13.8     12.3  65.8  19:11 ( 91, -1)  
Feb. 28  23 13.74    0 31.3   6.692   5.727    11   13.8     12.5  65.4  19:17 ( 95, -7)  

* 123P/West-Hartley


Getting brighter than expected after the perihelion passage. It seems to be observable visually around 13.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  13 31.22   10  5.8   1.421   2.206   131   14.3      0.3 279.9   3:31 (  0, 65)  
Feb. 28  13 30.29   10  7.0   1.382   2.221   138   14.3      3.7 273.9   3:02 (  0, 65)  

* 103P/Hartley 2


The condition is worst in this return. It is not observable around the perihelion passage. It will appear at dawn in autumn, when it will already fade to 15 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  21 41.68   -5 11.3   2.516   1.551     9   14.8     44.5  73.3   5:16 (271, -8)  
Feb. 28  22  2.07   -3 37.2   2.451   1.490    10   14.4     46.7  72.5   5:08 (269, -7)  

* 81P/Wild 2


Appearing at dawn and observed as bright as expected. It is fading out gradually after this.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  18 18.90  -20 51.9   2.485   2.120    57   14.5     26.3  87.7   5:16 (315, 19)  
Feb. 28  18 31.62  -20 42.3   2.453   2.160    61   14.5     24.7  86.4   5:08 (316, 20)  

* 2P/Encke


In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is appearing in the very low sky at dawn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  20 41.04  -23 48.2   1.981   1.172    25   14.9     36.3  74.7   5:16 (295, -7)  
Feb. 28  20 57.93  -22 40.7   2.055   1.277    28   15.5     33.0  73.2   5:08 (294, -5)  

* 40P/Vaisala 1


The brightness evolution is gradual in this return. So it will reach to 15 mag at best.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  15 21.88   -4  2.0   1.335   1.820   102   15.0     25.5  84.6   5:16 (358, 51)  
Feb. 28  15 33.13   -3 40.9   1.290   1.833   106   14.9     22.9  81.0   5:05 (  0, 51)  

* 65P/Gunn


Not observable. It becomes observable again at 15.5 mag after June.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  22 45.71  -16 17.2   3.931   2.959     9   15.4     24.3  67.6  19:11 ( 80,-15)  
Feb. 28  22 56.55  -15 12.1   3.958   2.980     7   15.5     24.1  67.4  19:17 ( 84,-19)  

* C/2003 T4 ( LINEAR )


It is expected to be 5 mag in 2005 spring. Until that time, it keeps observable in the Northern Hemisphere, which the comet will be getting brighter gradually.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21   4 44.14   75 38.9   5.029   5.329   102   16.3      8.1 213.8  19:11 (177, 49)  
Feb. 28   4 37.40   74 51.2   5.035   5.262    97   16.2      7.4 202.8  19:17 (173, 49)  

* C/2003 L2 ( LINEAR )


It is getting fainter slowly and will be unobervable at 17 mag in May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21   1 17.45   66 19.0   2.812   2.883    84   16.4     33.3 117.5  19:11 (151, 44)  
Feb. 28   1 49.46   64 24.8   2.881   2.892    80   16.4     32.4 120.8  19:17 (149, 44)  

* P/2002 T6 ( NEAT-LINEAR )


It reached to 15.5 mag in January, much brighter than expected. It already began to be fading, 16-16.5 mag in mid February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21   6 31.10   10  0.1   3.106   3.763   125   16.5      2.8  12.2  20:28 (  0, 65)  
Feb. 28   6 31.81   10 19.0   3.209   3.783   118   16.7      3.6  41.8  20:01 (  0, 65)  

* 118P/Sheomaker-Levy 4


It will be fading slowly and become fainter than 18 mag in April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  12  5.32    3 42.5   1.672   2.585   151   16.7     11.1 314.5   2:05 (  0, 59)  
Feb. 28  12  1.19    4 38.7   1.662   2.614   159   16.8     12.7 310.5   1:34 (  0, 60)  

* P/2002 T5 ( LINEAR )


It is observable around 17 mag until spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21   7 56.09   21 44.1   3.309   4.159   145   16.8      7.9 321.3  21:52 (  0, 77)  
Feb. 28   7 53.97   22 25.2   3.388   4.172   137   16.9      6.6 328.3  21:23 (  0, 77)  

* C/2003 V1 ( LINEAR )


Fading slowly. It will be observable in good condition until May when it will be fainter than 18 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21   9 54.94   49 10.4   3.520   4.337   141   16.8      9.6 263.0  23:51 (180, 76)  
Feb. 28   9 48.41   48 57.3   3.615   4.400   137   16.9      9.1 253.8  23:17 (180, 76)  

* C/2003 G1 ( LINEAR )


It is observable around 17 mag until spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  18 50.65   22  4.4   6.154   5.722    59   16.8     13.6  43.0   5:16 (271, 42)  
Feb. 28  18 55.14   23 15.6   6.120   5.749    63   16.8     13.4  39.2   5:08 (271, 45)  

* C/2002 J5 ( LINEAR )


It keeps 17 mag until July.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  17  2.32   41 44.3   5.774   5.833    88   17.0     12.2 349.2   5:16 (244, 68)  
Feb. 28  17  0.44   43 10.2   5.721   5.843    92   17.0     13.0 343.7   5:08 (237, 72)  

* C/2001 K5 ( LINEAR )


It will be fainter than 18 mag in May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  20 54.91   50 53.1   6.728   6.360    64   17.2     13.3  65.8   5:16 (226, 30)  
Feb. 28  21  3.80   51 32.7   6.771   6.389    63   17.3     13.1  63.3   5:08 (226, 31)  

* P/2003 WC7 ( LINEAR-Catalina )


It will be fainter than 18 mag in late March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21   2 57.48   13  6.5   1.634   1.663    74   17.3     41.5  53.8  19:11 ( 63, 53)  
Feb. 28   3 13.94   15 52.9   1.695   1.673    71   17.4     41.6  56.4  19:17 ( 71, 51)  

* 2003 WN188


Unusual minor planet with a period of 55 years. It becomes to be at peak in mid February, and fainter than 18 mag in late March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21   9 39.94   31 49.7   1.312   2.258   157   17.3     18.2 350.0  23:36 (  0, 87)  
Feb. 28   9 38.44   33 47.3   1.326   2.242   150   17.4     15.8 352.3  23:07 (  0, 89)  

* C/2003 E1 ( NEAT )


It will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition until August.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 21  17 41.90    6 44.1   3.446   3.246    70   17.4     18.7  80.6   5:16 (302, 46)  
Feb. 28  17 50.31    7  7.2   3.375   3.247    74   17.4     17.7  78.4   5:08 (304, 48)  

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