Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2004 Sept. 11: South)

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 Updated on September 14, 2004
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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/2003 K4 ( LINEAR )
Not observable. It will appear at dawn at 5 mag in November and keep observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Norhtern Hemisphere, it will become visible in the morning low sky in latter Novemberk, but become unobservable soon, then keep unobservable until January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11  13  0.94    3 16.9   1.984   1.162    25    5.9     30.1 202.5  19:12 ( 96,  3)  
Sept.18  12 55.77    0  5.7   2.020   1.112    18    5.8     28.9 201.7  19:17 ( 88, -2)

* C/2004 R2 ( ASAS )
New comet. It will be unobservable very soon in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it still locates high, and keeps observable until late September. It passes the perihelion on Oct. 7, when it will disappear. If it survives, it can appear at dusk in late October at 10 mag in the Northern Hemisphere, then it will fade out rapidly. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   7 56.59  -21 56.1   0.874   0.889    55    9.8    138.2  95.5   4:41 (272, 38)  
Sept.18   9 10.82  -22 20.1   0.843   0.712    44    9.0    154.2  87.4   4:31 (280, 27)

* C/2001 Q4 ( NEAT )
It locates visible all night in the northern sky. It keeps observable after this in the Northern Hemisphere. It has been fading slower than expected since June, and it was bright as 10 mag still in mid September. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11  12 59.09   64 53.1   2.362   2.105    62    9.5     21.8  66.7  19:12 (151,-29)  
Sept.18  13 22.35   65 52.7   2.391   2.192    66    9.6     23.1  68.0  19:17 (152,-30)

* C/2004 Q2 ( Machholz )
New comet. It will be getting brighter on and on after this, then it will reach to 4 mag locating high in the evening sky in December and January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time while the comet is bright enough visible visually until 2005 October when it becomes faint as 14 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   4 34.36  -23 48.7   1.882   2.309   101   10.3     17.6 112.5   4:41 (214, 77)  
Sept.18   4 42.40  -24 38.0   1.756   2.231   104   10.0     16.8 116.0   4:31 (207, 78)

* C/2003 T3 ( Tabur )
It will be getting higher after this, but getting fainter, too. However the fading is slow and it keeps 13 mag still in December. It passes across a barred spiral galaxy NGC 3198 on Sept. 17. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11  10  7.25   46 42.9   2.947   2.343    44   12.0     24.6 117.1   4:41 (229,-25)  
Sept.18  10 21.39   45 26.4   2.979   2.411    47   12.2     22.8 117.4   4:31 (230,-24)

* C/2002 T7 ( LINEAR )
Not observable. It will appear at dawn in late October at 13.5 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11  11 15.16  -10  9.1   3.470   2.509    14   12.2      9.9 116.6   4:41 (289, -9)  
Sept.18  11 19.22  -10 40.6   3.566   2.602    13   12.4      9.4 119.0   4:31 (287, -6)

* 78P/Gehrels 2
Well condensed and easy to see visually. It is observable in good condition as bright as 11-12 mag until January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   3  9.67   18 44.4   1.363   2.044   118   12.6     13.6  89.4   3:49 (180, 36)  
Sept.18   3 15.76   18 41.0   1.295   2.034   123   12.4     11.1  95.8   3:27 (180, 36)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1
It was 13 mag and very diffused in early September. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   0 20.48   12  3.9   4.783   5.724   157   13.1      6.4 256.5   1:00 (180, 43)  
Sept.18   0 17.42   11 52.0   4.753   5.725   163   13.1      6.9 253.9   0:30 (180, 43)

* C/2004 Q1 ( Tucker )
New comet. It is observable at 12.5 mag in good condition from October to November. It is bright as 12 mag visually, well condensed and easy to see. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   2 35.31    8 19.5   1.518   2.291   129   13.5     25.7 333.6   3:15 (180, 47)  
Sept.18   2 28.67   11 10.0   1.414   2.254   136   13.3     30.6 327.0   2:41 (180, 44)

* C/2003 T4 ( LINEAR )
The brightening evolution is slower than usual. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until 2005 spring when it reaches to 8 mag. It keeps observable both in the evening and morning until December, however, it keeps locating low at 20-25 deg high. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11  11  1.99   68 27.5   3.498   3.187    63   14.2     22.5  97.1   4:41 (207,-38)  
Sept.18  11 30.83   68  2.9   3.371   3.105    66   14.1     23.8  99.4   4:31 (207,-39)

* 103P/Hartley 2
Not observed in this return yet. It will appear at dawn soon. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   9 40.15    4 17.1   2.682   1.813    24   14.3     33.4 111.9   4:41 (263,  2)  
Sept.18   9 54.22    2 50.4   2.713   1.876    27   14.6     31.7 112.8   4:31 (264,  4)

* (944) Hidalgo
It is observable at 13.5 mag in good condition in October and November. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   2 42.84   17 57.9   1.616   2.341   124   14.7     20.1 348.9   3:22 (180, 37)  
Sept.18   2 39.99   20 20.9   1.515   2.305   131   14.5     22.5 339.9   2:52 (180, 35)

* 88P/Howell
Diffused. It keeps observable in good condition until November when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   2 43.89   11 22.0   1.294   2.057   126   14.6      4.7 259.7   3:23 (180, 44)  
Sept.18   2 40.77   11 12.7   1.278   2.103   133   14.8      8.6 257.9   2:53 (180, 44)

* C/2004 H6 ( SWAN )
It turns to be in the evening sky after September, then it keeps good condition in the evening sky. It was extremely diffused visually in mid August. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11  19  5.59   -0 46.6   1.533   2.182   116   14.7     15.5 280.4  19:42 (180, 56)  
Sept.18  19  0.10   -0 30.1   1.735   2.274   109   15.3      8.9 283.0  19:17 (176, 55)

* 48P/Johnson
It was observed at 15-15.5 mag, a bit fainter than this ephemeris in August. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps to be locating only around 30 deg high. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11  19 46.17  -27 15.0   1.593   2.320   124   14.9      6.3 123.2  20:23 (180, 82)  
Sept.18  19 49.66  -27 35.0   1.659   2.316   118   14.9      8.3 106.1  19:59 (180, 83)

* C/2001 HT50 ( LINEAR-NEAT )
It will fade out gradually, and keeps observable brighter than 17 mag until the end of 2004. It is still visible visually at 14 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11  23 31.80   13 35.4   4.023   4.988   161   15.3     21.5 250.6   0:12 (180, 41)  
Sept.18  23 22.18   12 43.4   4.063   5.039   164   15.3     21.2 248.8  23:30 (180, 42)

* 65P/Gunn
It keeps around 16 mag until November. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   1 37.79   -2  4.4   2.698   3.570   144   15.6      8.2 243.6   2:17 (180, 57)  
Sept.18   1 34.01   -2 30.4   2.670   3.590   152   15.6      9.6 246.9   1:46 (180, 57)

* 32P/Comas Sola
It will be 12-13 mag in winter, locating high in the evening sky. It keeps observable until that time in good condition while the comet is getting brighter. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   3 15.59    8 30.0   1.935   2.582   119   16.0      6.3  71.3   3:55 (180, 46)  
Sept.18   3 17.87    8 43.2   1.824   2.542   125   15.7      4.0  64.1   3:29 (180, 46)

* 56P/Slaughter-Burnham
It keeps observable at 16 mag in good condition until the end of 2004. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11  23 48.16    0 40.5   1.711   2.709   170   16.2      9.8 268.6   0:28 (180, 54)  
Sept.18  23 43.45    0 37.8   1.687   2.691   177   16.1     10.3 267.1  23:51 (180, 54)

* 49P/Arend-Rigaux
It was observed about 1 mag brighter than expected. It will reach to 14.5 mag from January to March in the evening sky. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   1 24.42  -20 47.3   1.315   2.217   145   16.6     16.1 188.9   2:04 (180, 76)  
Sept.18   1 22.46  -22 40.2   1.249   2.168   148   16.3     17.0 198.1   1:35 (180, 78)

* 121P/Shoemaker-Holt 2
It tends to become brightest after the perihelion passage. In this return, it will reach to 14 mag in 2005 February at the opposition. No observations have been reported since it appeared at dawn. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   8 25.57   21 26.3   3.263   2.649    45   16.5     24.8  93.7   4:41 (239,  6)  
Sept.18   8 37.82   21 14.4   3.198   2.650    49   16.4     24.3  94.1   4:31 (238,  7)

* 119P/Parker-Hartley
It is observable at 16.5 mag in good condition until January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   1 26.22   14 45.8   2.461   3.319   142   16.8      4.7 251.5   2:06 (180, 40)  
Sept.18   1 23.65   14 32.0   2.395   3.305   150   16.7      6.6 248.6   1:36 (180, 40)

* 53P/Van Biesbroeck
It is observable until November when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   0 57.44    0 11.4   2.592   3.528   154   16.9      9.3 236.5   1:37 (180, 55)  
Sept.18   0 53.59   -0 25.0   2.592   3.562   162   17.0     10.2 238.9   1:06 (180, 55)

* C/2004 B1 ( LINEAR )
Appearing at dawn. It will reach to 9 mag in 2006 spring. In this season, it keeps observable until 2005 March when it becomes 15.5 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   6  0.18   -4  0.3   5.976   5.882    79   17.3      7.3 168.0   4:41 (228, 49)  
Sept.18   6  0.63   -4 52.1   5.809   5.822    85   17.2      7.7 177.1   4:31 (224, 52)

* 62P/Tsuchinshan 1
Not yet observed in this return. It will brighten very rapidly after this. It is expected to be visible visually at 11 mag from November to January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   6 38.55   18  1.0   1.828   1.750    69   17.6     39.6  89.0   4:41 (221, 25)  
Sept.18   6 58.21   18  2.4   1.742   1.714    71   17.2     40.5  90.2   4:31 (222, 25)

* C/2003 WT42 ( LINEAR )
It keeps observable in good condition at 17 mag until 2005 spring. It will reach to 16 mag in 2006. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   5 54.16   40 51.5   6.811   6.713    80   17.5      6.9  52.1   4:41 (201, 10)  
Sept.18   5 57.31   41 21.9   6.674   6.682    86   17.4      6.5  46.6   4:31 (198, 10)

* C/2003 G1 ( LINEAR )
It will be fading slowly until November when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11  18 21.90   41 48.3   6.378   6.607    98   17.5      4.5 175.7  19:12 (177, 13)  
Sept.18  18 22.43   41 16.2   6.457   6.640    96   17.6      4.8 163.4  19:17 (171, 13)

* P/2004 HC18 ( LINEAR )
Although it was predicted to fade out quickly after the perihelion passage in June, it unexpectedly keeps 16.5-17.0 mag still in late August. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11  17 11.18    3 27.6   1.622   1.880    88   17.5     30.8 103.5  19:12 (149, 47)  
Sept.18  17 25.34    2 38.5   1.701   1.907    85   17.8     31.4 102.5  19:17 (142, 45)

* P/2004 K2 ( McNaught )
It will be fainter than 18 mag in November. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   3 23.24    7 45.6   1.050   1.759   117   17.6     11.5 120.5   4:02 (180, 47)  
Sept.18   3 26.84    7  1.3   1.028   1.790   123   17.6      8.7 141.4   3:38 (180, 48)

* C/2003 S4 ( LINEAR )
It reaches to 17.5 mag in October. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   3 16.07   23 17.3   3.419   3.960   115   17.6      6.6 160.3   3:55 (180, 32)  
Sept.18   3 16.77   22 31.2   3.342   3.973   122   17.6      7.0 175.5   3:28 (180, 32)

* C/2003 L2 ( LINEAR )
It keeps observable at 18 mag in good condition until January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   7 15.48   25 34.2   4.055   3.684    61   17.8     10.9 149.7   4:41 (224, 14)  
Sept.18   7 17.93   24 28.2   3.989   3.725    67   17.7     10.3 156.9   4:31 (222, 17)

* 129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3
It is observable at 16.5 mag in good condition from November to February. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.11   5 41.67   27 36.5   3.065   3.101    82   18.0     13.9  85.8   4:41 (204, 23)  
Sept.18   5 48.64   27 42.9   2.956   3.087    87   17.8     12.6  86.1   4:31 (202, 24)

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