Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2004 Oct. 30: North)

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Updated on October 30, 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/2003 K4 ( LINEAR )


Appearing at dawn. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a while after this. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is visible in the morning low sky from mid November to early December, but becomes unobservable soon, then keeps unobservable until January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30  12 23.94  -19 24.1   1.831   1.060    27    5.9     35.4 203.1   4:53 (295,  1)  
Nov.  6  12 16.39  -23 23.8   1.735   1.097    35    5.9     39.7 204.4   4:59 (304,  6)  

* C/2004 Q2 ( Machholz )


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)  
Oct. 30   5 12.47  -29 47.7   1.066   1.778   119    8.1      5.3 157.8   2:39 (  0, 25)  
Nov.  6   5 12.59  -30 13.1   0.962   1.707   121    7.8      2.7 216.4   2:11 (  0, 25)  

* C/2004 Q1 ( Tucker )


It brightened rapidly and reached to 10 mag. It keeps high in the evening sky and bright as around 11 mag until December. It will be fading after January, however, it keeps high in the evening sky for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30   0 54.24   31 13.5   1.158   2.096   154   10.7     44.6 303.0  22:16 (  0, 86)  
Nov.  6   0 34.24   33 48.3   1.185   2.080   145   10.7     39.8 300.4  21:28 (  0, 89)  

* C/2001 Q4 ( NEAT )


It locates visible all night in the northern sky. It keeps observable after this in the Northern Hemisphere.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30  16 41.62   69 52.4   2.558   2.701    87   11.2     29.8  89.2  18:33 (155, 41)  
Nov.  6  17 22.28   69 42.9   2.601   2.783    90   11.3     30.3  94.6  18:27 (156, 42)  

* 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)  
Oct. 30   3 22.08   15 26.0   1.034   2.008   164   11.2      9.5 219.4   0:49 (  0, 70)  
Nov.  6   3 18.81   14 33.9   1.024   2.010   171   11.2     10.5 224.7   0:18 (  0, 70)  

* C/2003 T4 ( LINEAR )


The brightening evolution has been slower than usual. But finally it comes to be visible visually. 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)  
Oct. 30  14 32.58   61 45.9   2.660   2.598    75   13.0     33.3 115.8  18:33 (148, 26)  
Nov.  6  15  1.63   59 55.5   2.559   2.511    75   12.8     35.0 118.2  18:27 (146, 26)  

* C/2003 T3 ( Tabur )


It has been fading slowly and it will keep 13 mag still in December. However, CCD observers reported it 1 or 2 mag fainter than this ephemeris because it is diffused.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30  11 20.96   40  4.3   3.051   2.828    67   12.9     12.0 111.5   4:53 (246, 44)  
Nov.  6  11 27.23   39 37.6   3.042   2.899    72   13.0     10.0 108.6   4:59 (248, 49)  

* 62P/Tsuchinshan 1


Michael Jager reported that it was bright as 13 mag on Oct. 24. The comet is now brightening very rapidly, as expected. It will 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)  
Oct. 30   9  2.84   16  9.7   1.304   1.546    83   14.0     44.0  96.0   4:53 (306, 62)  
Nov.  6   9 24.09   15 35.8   1.245   1.528    85   13.1     44.1  96.4   4:59 (311, 63)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


It burst out on Oct. 6 and reached to 11 mag. Then it was as bright as 12 mag still in mid October. But it came to be diffused in late October.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30  23 59.98   10  6.2   4.875   5.726   146   13.1      5.1 240.0  21:23 (  0, 65)  
Nov.  6  23 58.13    9 49.3   4.943   5.726   138   13.2      4.1 236.0  20:54 (  0, 65)  

* C/2002 T7 ( LINEAR )


Appearing at dawn, however, it will be mid November when the altitude exceeds 20 deg high. It was observed as 13.7 mag on Oct. 16, as bright as expected.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30  11 36.48  -14  1.4   3.844   3.137    39   13.4      5.7 145.6   4:53 (298, 13)  
Nov.  6  11 37.75  -14 34.0   3.843   3.223    45   13.5      5.0 156.1   4:59 (304, 19)  

* (944) Hidalgo


It will be fading slowly until 2005 August when it becomes low in the evening sky at 16.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30   1 35.32   36 11.3   1.175   2.119   155   13.5     34.4 304.2  22:57 (180, 89)  
Nov.  6   1 18.69   38 15.2   1.172   2.094   150   13.5     32.2 300.1  22:13 (180, 87)  

* 32P/Comas Sola


It has been already visible visually around 14 mag. 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)  
Oct. 30   3  4.54    9 51.2   1.333   2.314   167   14.1     12.8 279.9   0:31 (  0, 65)  
Nov.  6   2 58.17   10  8.3   1.290   2.277   173   13.9     14.4 280.9  23:53 (  0, 65)  

* P/2004 T1 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


It was visible visually around 13.5 mag in October. It will be fading after this, but it keeps observable until it becomes fainter than 18 mag in 2005 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30   0 42.41   -7 47.5   0.786   1.711   147   14.0     15.4 341.6  22:05 (  0, 47)  
Nov.  6   0 40.91   -5 59.7   0.815   1.709   142   14.1     16.2 355.0  21:36 (  0, 49)  

* 88P/Howell


Diffused, but some reported that it is still 14 mag. It keeps observable in good condition until December when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30   1 58.56    8 54.0   1.390   2.379   173   14.6     15.9 258.4  23:21 (  0, 64)  
Nov.  6   1 51.65    8 33.9   1.454   2.424   164   14.9     13.8 259.5  22:46 (  0, 64)  

* 121P/Shoemaker-Holt 2


It tends to become brightest after the perihelion passage. It was 17 mag on Sept. 18. In this return, it will reach to 14 mag in 2005 February at the opposition.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30   9 44.06   20 14.9   2.743   2.672    75   15.3     19.5  91.2   4:53 (287, 57)  
Nov.  6   9 53.49   20 13.8   2.660   2.678    80   15.2     18.4  89.4   4:59 (293, 61)  

* 10P/Tempel 2


The condition of this return is bad. It is not observable around the perihelion passage. It will appear at dawn in 2005 July at 14.5 mag, then it will be fading after that.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30  15 44.98  -13 31.5   2.686   1.796    21   15.7     37.4 107.9  18:33 ( 74,  0)  
Nov.  6  16  2.45  -14 49.7   2.668   1.757    18   15.3     38.6 106.4  18:27 ( 73, -2)  

* 103P/Hartley 2


Appearing at dawn. It was observed as 16.5 mag on Oct. 6, 1.5 mag fainter than this ephemeris. After this, it keeps observable while it will be fading gradually until it becomes fainter than 18 mag in 2005 April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30  11  2.95   -5 10.4   2.775   2.248    48   15.4     22.4 117.5   4:53 (297, 25)  
Nov.  6  11 11.92   -6 21.4   2.762   2.308    53   15.6     20.8 118.5   4:59 (303, 29)  

* C/2004 S1 ( Van Ness )


It approached to the earth in mid October and reached to 15 mag. It will go far away from the earth after this. Because it will be closer to the sun, the ephemeris says it keeps 16 mag for a while after this. However, it may disappear due to its small perihelion distance. In November, it will be getting lower and lower rapidly.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30  19 18.05   14 17.3   0.563   1.047    79   15.5     99.1 251.4  18:33 ( 58, 57)  
Nov.  6  18 43.89   11 17.9   0.733   0.951    64   15.6     58.3 249.4  18:27 ( 69, 45)  

* C/2004 R2 ( ASAS )


Appearing at dawn, however, it has not been detected yet. Because it rapidly faded out just after the perihelion passage, now it may be much fainter than this ephemeris. Or, it may have already disappeared. Anyway, it will fade out rapidly after this.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30  17 11.51    5 25.2   0.925   0.769    47   15.7    149.1  90.9  18:33 ( 75, 29)  
Nov.  6  18 14.49    4 51.5   1.022   0.941    55   16.8    119.5  92.9  18:27 ( 67, 36)  

* 48P/Johnson


It will be getting lower and fainter after this. It will be too low in the evening sky in February, 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)  
Oct. 30  20 36.26  -27  2.3   2.129   2.313    87   15.9     20.5  79.7  18:33 (  8, 28)  
Nov.  6  20 47.12  -26 33.5   2.213   2.316    83   16.0     21.9  78.1  18:27 ( 11, 28)  

* 65P/Gunn


It will be as faint as 17.5 mag in 2005 March when it becomes low in the evening western sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30   1  4.89   -4 27.6   2.790   3.709   154   15.9      9.3 264.5  22:27 (  0, 51)  
Nov.  6   1  0.84   -4 30.9   2.858   3.729   146   15.9      8.0 269.6  21:56 (  0, 51)  

* C/2001 HT50 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


It will be too low in the evening sky at 17.5 mag in early February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30  22 37.52    7 23.2   4.705   5.343   125   16.0     12.3 238.1  20:01 (  0, 62)  
Nov.  6  22 33.06    6 40.2   4.863   5.394   117   16.1     10.3 235.8  19:29 (  0, 62)  

* 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)  
Oct. 30  23 23.23    0 42.0   1.805   2.603   134   16.0      2.1 324.9  20:46 (  0, 56)  
Nov.  6  23 23.28    0 56.6   1.861   2.591   127   16.1      2.9  29.6  20:19 (  0, 56)  

* 69P/Taylor


It is already bright, as 17 mag on Oct. 21. It will be observable in good conditon at 15.5 mag in winter. In its last return in 1997, it burst out after the perihelion passage and became extremely bright, reached to 11 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30   8 10.33   12  9.3   1.610   1.960    94   16.3     23.9  83.8   4:53 (335, 65)  
Nov.  6   8 21.34   12 30.7   1.533   1.953    99   16.1     22.5  80.8   4:59 (347, 67)  

* C/2004 B1 ( LINEAR )


It will reach to 9 mag in 2006 spring. It has been brightening well as expected. 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)  
Oct. 30   5 49.76  -11  2.1   4.870   5.461   121   16.3     12.7 221.8   3:16 (  0, 44)  
Nov.  6   5 45.33  -12  8.3   4.740   5.400   127   16.2     13.8 227.1   2:44 (  0, 43)  

* C/2003 WT42 ( LINEAR )


It keeps observable in good condition at 16 mag until 2005 spring. It will reach to 15 mag in 2006.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30   6  4.48   44 43.2   5.900   6.497   123   16.4      5.1 346.9   3:31 (180, 80)  
Nov.  6   6  3.38   45 17.4   5.791   6.467   129   16.4      5.3 335.7   3:02 (180, 80)  

* (3200) Phaethon


It keeps observable at 15.5 mag from mid November to mid February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30   5 40.78   38 21.6   1.153   1.939   129   17.2     15.7 290.0   3:07 (180, 87)  
Nov.  6   5 29.61   38 57.1   1.033   1.886   137   16.8     23.4 281.6   2:29 (180, 86)  

* 119P/Parker-Hartley


It is observable at 17 mag in good condition until January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30   0 59.68   11 32.2   2.275   3.229   160   16.9      9.2 237.1  22:22 (  0, 67)  
Nov.  6   0 56.31   10 58.2   2.303   3.218   152   16.9      7.9 233.8  21:52 (  0, 66)  

* 160P/2004 NL21 ( LINEAR )


It will fade out after this, and become fainter than 18 mag at the end of 2004.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30  22 16.05    0 30.9   1.420   2.087   118   17.0     11.9  42.6  19:40 (  0, 56)  
Nov.  6  22 20.50    1 33.1   1.493   2.092   113   17.1     14.2  50.6  19:17 (  0, 57)  

* 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)  
Oct. 30   6 12.06   28  7.3   2.340   3.011   124   17.1      1.2  69.6   3:38 (  0, 83)  
Nov.  6   6 12.05   28 10.1   2.253   2.999   131   17.0      1.3 286.3   3:11 (  0, 83)  

* 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)  
Oct. 30   7 14.57   17 34.3   3.551   3.986   108   17.7     12.4 214.4   4:41 (  0, 73)  
Nov.  6   7 10.63   16 22.0   3.487   4.031   116   17.6     13.8 221.2   4:09 (  0, 71)  

* C/2004 U1 ( LINEAR )


It will be 17 mag at best in December and January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30   8 54.31   23 38.9   2.550   2.695    87   17.8     20.6 346.8   4:53 (295, 68)  
Nov.  6   8 51.00   26 10.6   2.397   2.685    95   17.7     24.8 340.6   4:59 (306, 76)  

* C/2003 G1 ( LINEAR )


It will be fainter than 18 mag soon.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 30  18 37.75   38 21.7   6.948   6.845    79   17.9      7.5 115.2  18:33 (108, 60)  
Nov.  6  18 41.96   38  1.1   7.029   6.880    77   17.9      7.9 109.9  18:27 (108, 56)  

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