Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2004 Dec. 4: North)

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Updated on December 5, 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/2004 Q2 ( Machholz )


It reached to 5.5 mag in early December. It will reach to 4 mag locating high in the evening sky from mid December to the end of 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)  
Dec.  4   4 50.07  -25 35.3   0.587   1.446   132    5.6     36.2 324.9  23:54 (  0, 30)  
Dec. 11   4 38.05  -21  8.0   0.508   1.391   135    5.1     54.5 330.9  23:14 (  0, 34)  

* C/2003 K4 ( LINEAR )


In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until April when it reaches to 13 mag. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will become unobservable soon, however, it will appear at dusk again in mid January at 9 mag, then it will keep observable until the end of March in the evening sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  11 11.29  -45  5.9   1.303   1.331    69    7.3     74.6 219.6   5:22 (350,  9)  
Dec. 11  10 31.20  -51 47.5   1.220   1.404    78    7.4     86.8 229.1   5:12 (  0,  3)  

* 78P/Gehrels 2


It will be fading gradually after this, but it keeps 11 mag until the end of January. It will be visible visually until May when it becomes too low in the evening sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4   3  6.21   11 41.3   1.097   2.032   154   10.5      5.3 221.7  22:11 (  0, 67)  
Dec. 11   3  5.17   11 19.0   1.142   2.042   147   10.6      2.6 198.6  21:43 (  0, 66)  

* C/2004 Q1 ( Tucker )


It will be fading gradually after this, but it keeps 11 mag until mid January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until July when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  23 38.25   40 17.4   1.431   2.047   114   10.6     16.3 308.4  18:43 (180, 85)  
Dec. 11  23 31.92   41 26.5   1.511   2.047   108   10.7     12.5 321.2  18:19 (166, 83)  

* 62P/Tsuchinshan 1


It is brightening, 13 mag in mid November, but a bit fainter than this ephemeris. Very diffused visually. It will be visible visually at 11 mag from December to January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  10 46.56   13 18.5   1.049   1.490    94   11.3     41.1  95.7   5:22 (340, 67)  
Dec. 11  11  5.76   12 52.2   1.010   1.490    96   11.2     39.3  94.7   5:27 (348, 67)  

* 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. Now it locates at the same altitude both in the evening and morning, but the altitude at dusk will be lower and lower, and becomes lower than 10 deg in January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  16 46.40   50 25.5   2.232   2.155    72   12.1     39.8 125.5  18:18 (136, 23)  
Dec. 11  17  9.43   47 38.5   2.170   2.064    70   11.9     40.5 126.6   5:27 (226, 22)  

* 32P/Comas Sola


It is a bit brighter visually than this ephemeris, around 12.5 mag. It keeps observable at 12-13 mag in the evening sky until May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4   2 32.28   12  7.1   1.244   2.141   147   13.2     12.0 300.0  21:37 (  0, 67)  
Dec. 11   2 28.05   12 52.3   1.260   2.109   139   13.1     10.0 313.7  21:05 (  0, 68)  

* C/2001 Q4 ( NEAT )


It was 11-12.5 mag in mid November, but diffused. It keeps observable for a long time after this in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also visible at midnight or dawn, but low.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  19 49.60   66 12.9   2.861   3.109    95   13.2     29.2 111.5  18:18 (153, 47)  
Dec. 11  20 19.40   64 54.0   2.951   3.189    94   13.4     28.2 113.7  18:19 (151, 48)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


It had been bright at 12-13 mag since September, however, it seems to be faint in late November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  23 55.94    9  5.7   5.310   5.728   110   13.3      1.3 120.9  19:01 (  0, 64)  
Dec. 11  23 56.75    9  2.5   5.418   5.728   103   13.4      2.3  95.2  18:35 (  0, 64)  

* 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)  
Dec.  4  17 20.50  -19  6.0   2.578   1.614     9   13.8     43.3  99.4  18:18 ( 73, -9)  
Dec. 11  17 42.00  -19 50.4   2.554   1.582     7   13.4     44.4  97.4  18:19 ( 73,-11)  

* C/2004 U1 ( LINEAR )


It bursted out in late November and reached to 13.8 mag. It is strongly condensed.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4   8  8.26   40 35.1   1.891   2.665   133   13.9     48.9 319.5   3:17 (180, 85)  
Dec. 11   7 45.45   44 55.9   1.818   2.664   142   13.8     54.3 313.3   2:27 (180, 80)  

* C/2002 T7 ( LINEAR )


It will be getting fainter gradually until 2005 June when it becomes 17 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  11 36.02  -16 27.1   3.741   3.558    71   13.9      5.3 231.9   5:22 (336, 35)  
Dec. 11  11 33.53  -16 48.1   3.697   3.640    78   14.0      6.6 246.1   5:27 (346, 37)  

* (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)  
Dec.  4   0 26.01   43 12.3   1.289   2.010   123   14.0     14.3 299.1  19:31 (180, 82)  
Dec. 11   0 19.53   43 58.6   1.339   1.995   117   14.1     10.0 310.2  18:57 (180, 81)  

* 121P/Shoemaker-Holt 2


It tends to become brightest after the perihelion passage. It was 16.5 mag in mid November, fainter than expected by about 1-1.5 mag. If it brightens as expected, it will reach to 14 mag in February at the opposition.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  10 24.36   21  5.7   2.330   2.709   101   14.7     12.8  72.5   5:22 (350, 76)  
Dec. 11  10 29.97   21 36.5   2.252   2.718   107   14.6     11.3  63.9   5:10 (  0, 77)  

* C/2003 T3 ( Tabur )


Diffused, but still bright as 14 mag. It keeps observable until May when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  11 41.58   39 20.6   2.963   3.176    93   14.7      2.6  51.2   5:22 (250, 72)  
Dec. 11  11 42.17   39 35.7   2.940   3.246    99   14.8      2.7 357.2   5:27 (243, 78)  

* P/2004 T1 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


It was visible visually around 13.5 mag in October, but became faint rapidly in November. It keeps observable until it becomes fainter than 18 mag in March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4   0 52.18    2 14.8   1.002   1.727   120   14.8     22.5  35.5  19:58 (  0, 57)  
Dec. 11   0 58.99    4 22.5   1.063   1.738   116   15.0     24.2  41.4  19:37 (  0, 60)  

* 162P/2004 TU12 ( Siding Spring )


Almost stellar. It keeps observable in good condition until April when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  23 20.76   15 29.5   0.577   1.260   104   14.8     61.9  23.4  18:27 (  0, 71)  
Dec. 11  23 33.48   21 38.6   0.631   1.281   102   15.1     55.8  28.7  18:19 (  7, 77)  

* C/2003 WT42 ( LINEAR )


It has been brightening more rapidly than expected, and already reached to 15.5 mag. It may be reach to 13 mag in 2006.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4   5 52.59   47 17.2   5.467   6.349   151   15.2      6.5 302.6   1:01 (180, 78)  
Dec. 11   5 48.67   47 39.7   5.419   6.320   154   15.2      6.6 296.5   0:30 (180, 77)  

* (3200) Phaethon


It keeps observable at 15.5 mag until mid February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4   3 44.11   37  4.3   0.679   1.641   160   15.2     66.9 252.8  22:46 (180, 88)  
Dec. 11   3  6.35   34  2.8   0.636   1.569   150   15.2     73.6 245.1  21:41 (  0, 89)  

* 49P/Arend-Rigaux


Almost stellar. It keeps 15-16 mag in the evening sky until May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4   0 44.31  -26  3.6   1.096   1.650   104   15.4     16.7  24.5  19:50 (  0, 29)  
Dec. 11   0 48.90  -24  8.3   1.108   1.610   100   15.4     20.8  31.6  19:27 (  0, 31)  

* 69P/Taylor


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)  
Dec.  4   8 56.27   15 36.8   1.251   1.942   120   15.6     16.9  52.0   4:04 (  0, 71)  
Dec. 11   9  2.05   16 57.8   1.192   1.944   126   15.5     16.4  39.2   3:42 (  0, 72)  

* 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 March when it becomes 15.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4   5 20.34  -16  7.1   4.353   5.152   140   15.8     16.8 244.9   0:29 (  0, 39)  
Dec. 11   5 12.75  -16 53.5   4.295   5.089   140   15.7     17.0 248.9  23:49 (  0, 38)  

* 103P/Hartley 2


It was observed as 16.5 mag on Oct. 6, fainter than this ephemeris by 1.5 mag. After this, it keeps observable while it will be fading gradually until it becomes fainter than 18 mag in April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  11 39.99  -10 29.3   2.652   2.542    72   16.2     13.6 124.3   5:22 (332, 40)  
Dec. 11  11 44.84  -11 20.4   2.611   2.599    78   16.3     11.5 127.1   5:27 (341, 42)  

* 56P/Slaughter-Burnham


It will be getting fainter and lower until March, when it becomes 17.5 mag and too low.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  23 35.37    2 52.6   2.142   2.556   103   16.3     12.5  62.7  18:41 (  0, 58)  
Dec. 11  23 41.05    3 35.3   2.221   2.549    97   16.3     14.6  63.8  18:19 (  0, 59)  

* 88P/Howell


It will be fainter than 18 mag in January. But the total magnitude seems to be brighter than this ephemeris because it is very diffused.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4   1 36.48    8 15.5   1.826   2.602   133   16.3      2.6 299.3  20:42 (  0, 63)  
Dec. 11   1 36.07    8 27.4   1.943   2.646   126   16.6      2.2  12.8  20:14 (  0, 63)  

* 65P/Gunn


It will be as faint as 17.5 mag in 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)  
Dec.  4   0 52.26   -3 45.4   3.240   3.805   118   16.3      3.3 342.3  19:58 (  0, 51)  
Dec. 11   0 52.20   -3 20.9   3.355   3.824   111   16.4      3.9  11.3  19:30 (  0, 52)  

* 129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3


It is observable at 16.5 mag in good condition until February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4   5 59.72   28  9.6   2.002   2.954   161   16.6      9.8 266.4   1:08 (  0, 83)  
Dec. 11   5 54.22   28  3.7   1.970   2.943   169   16.5     11.0 264.6   0:36 (  0, 83)  

* 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)  
Dec.  4  22 23.47    4 38.2   5.555   5.597    87   16.5      3.6 215.0  18:18 ( 23, 58)  
Dec. 11  22 22.82    4 20.0   5.732   5.648    80   16.7      2.4 199.1  18:19 ( 35, 54)  

* 9P/Tempel 1


It was 17.8 mag on Oct. 21, brighening well as expected. We can observe it in good condition while it is brightening, then the comet will reach to 9 mag in next spring and summer. It may become a naked-eye object due to the Deep Impact mission on July 4.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  11 55.99   11 46.5   2.446   2.439    77   17.1     22.3 104.7   5:22 (309, 57)  
Dec. 11  12  6.17   11  8.3   2.320   2.398    82   16.8     21.8 103.8   5:27 (318, 60)  

* 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)  
Dec.  4   0 51.27    9 25.1   2.525   3.175   123   17.0      2.2 139.0  19:57 (  0, 64)  
Dec. 11   0 52.45    9 16.6   2.601   3.165   116   17.1      3.6 101.8  19:30 (  0, 64)  

* 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)  
Dec.  4   6 46.05   11 32.0   3.341   4.214   148   17.7     18.7 237.5   1:55 (  0, 67)  
Dec. 11   6 38.33   10 22.8   3.342   4.261   156   17.7     19.2 239.8   1:20 (  0, 65)  

* 2004 VR8


Asteroid with a cometary orbit. It will become fainter than 18 mag soon. It will be 17.5 mag again in 2006 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4   3 40.89   14 12.7   2.187   3.144   163   17.7     13.1 283.9  22:45 (  0, 69)  
Dec. 11   3 35.00   14 36.0   2.190   3.113   155   17.8     12.2 286.9  22:12 (  0, 70)  

* C/2002 J5 ( LINEAR )


It keeps 18 mag until 2005 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  4  14 13.38   41 38.7   6.757   6.531    72   17.8      3.9  31.6   5:22 (243, 44)  
Dec. 11  14 14.46   42  4.8   6.704   6.554    77   17.8      4.4  18.7   5:27 (244, 49)  

* C/2004 D1 ( NEAT )


It will reach to 16.7 mag at best in early 2006. Because it moves in the northern sky, it keeps observable 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)  
Dec.  4   5 30.08   46  6.5   5.062   5.966   154   17.9      8.6 303.9   0:39 (180, 79)  
Dec. 11   5 25.10   46 37.9   5.023   5.937   156   17.8      8.6 299.1   0:07 (180, 78)  

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Copyright(C) Seiichi Yoshida (comet@aerith.net). All rights reserved.