Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2005 Jan. 15: North)

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Updated on January 19, 2005
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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 keeps brighter than 4.0 mag locating high in the evening sky until late 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)  
Jan. 15   3 19.77   37 58.0   0.370   1.215   120    3.7    116.1 348.2  19:39 (180, 86)  
Jan. 22   3  6.74   49 55.4   0.413   1.206   112    3.9     92.5 350.2  18:58 (180, 74)  

* C/2003 K4 ( LINEAR )


In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until April when it reaches to 13 mag. Now it is apearing at dusk also in the Northern Hemisphere, 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)  
Jan. 15   4 34.88  -47 35.8   1.370   1.805    98    8.2     73.9 317.7  20:52 (  0,  8)  
Jan. 22   4  8.00  -41 23.2   1.511   1.888    96    8.7     60.8 326.3  19:59 (  0, 14)  

* C/2003 T4 ( LINEAR )


In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable in the morning low sky until March when it reaches to 8 mag In the Southern Hemisphere, it becomes observable in the morning low sky after March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15  18 47.38   32 53.7   1.934   1.605    55   10.9     40.1 129.5   5:38 (245, 24)  
Jan. 22  19  4.14   29 54.5   1.892   1.513    52   10.6     39.8 130.0   5:37 (249, 24)  

* 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)  
Jan. 15   3 20.51   11 52.9   1.489   2.112   115   11.3     13.7  74.5  19:41 (  0, 67)  
Jan. 22   3 27.34   12 20.9   1.576   2.130   110   11.5     16.0  74.4  19:20 (  0, 67)  

* 62P/Tsuchinshan 1


Very diffused and widely spreading visually. It will be fading gradually after this.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15  12 23.79   12 52.9   0.857   1.544   113   11.3     24.4  80.5   4:46 (  0, 68)  
Jan. 22  12 34.29   13 26.8   0.835   1.565   118   11.4     20.5  73.9   4:29 (  0, 68)  

* C/2004 Q1 ( Tucker )


It will be fading gradually after this. 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)  
Jan. 15  23 37.18   47 45.3   1.925   2.099    85   11.6     15.4  34.3  18:40 (126, 57)  
Jan. 22  23 44.06   49 17.3   2.003   2.119    82   11.8     17.3  38.3  18:46 (128, 53)  

* 10P/Tempel 2


The condition of this return is bad. It is not observable around the perihelion passage. It will appear at dawn in 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)  
Jan. 15  19 38.57  -20 42.7   2.446   1.464     2   12.0     48.8  86.6   5:38 (284,-16)  
Jan. 22  20  2.95  -20 14.9   2.430   1.449     3   11.8     49.3  84.4   5:37 (284,-15)  

* C/2005 A1 ( LINEAR )


Very bright at 11.5 mag visually. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable in the morning until early February, but will be unobservable in mid February. It goes to the southern sky and northern people cannot see it around the perihelion passage. It will appear in the morning again at 13 mag in June, then it keeps observable while fading. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable as bright as 9-10 mag from February to April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15  13 52.91  -18 25.4   1.519   1.694    82   12.7     45.2 158.3   5:38 (349, 36)  
Jan. 22  14  1.51  -23 51.5   1.347   1.605    85   12.2     54.6 161.1   5:37 (355, 31)  

* 32P/Comas Sola


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)  
Jan. 15   2 33.06   18  6.9   1.447   1.971   106   12.7     15.5  46.4  18:53 (  0, 73)  
Jan. 22   2 39.41   19 23.1   1.497   1.948   101   12.7     18.2  52.6  18:46 ( 12, 74)  

* C/2004 V13 ( SWAN )


It appeared in the evening very low sky in early January, when it was observed at 11 mag visually. It is extremely diffused and fading rapidly. No observations have been reported since Jan. 9.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15  23 23.81  -22 49.9   0.888   0.795    49   13.2    140.1  84.1  18:40 ( 42, 19)  
Jan. 22   0 25.95  -20 32.2   0.988   0.957    58   14.3    110.7  78.5  18:46 ( 37, 25)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


It became bright at 12 mag in outburst in early January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15   0  8.28    9 37.4   5.974   5.731    71   13.6      7.5  73.3  18:40 ( 58, 51)  
Jan. 22   0 11.85    9 53.9   6.078   5.731    64   13.6      8.3  72.1  18:46 ( 66, 46)  

* C/2001 Q4 ( NEAT )


Completely diffused, but still bright at 12 mag visually. 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)  
Jan. 15  22 11.59   58 36.8   3.527   3.581    85   14.0     21.8 113.7  18:40 (141, 44)  
Jan. 22  22 28.78   57 38.4   3.661   3.658    82   14.2     20.5 112.1  18:46 (139, 42)  

* C/2004 U1 ( LINEAR )


It keeps bright as 13.5 mag still in early January since the outburst in late November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15   4 34.21   56  8.8   1.946   2.688   130   14.0     43.4 265.9  20:51 (180, 69)  
Jan. 22   4  1.49   55 25.6   2.059   2.700   120   14.2     36.3 257.3  19:52 (180, 70)  

* 121P/Shoemaker-Holt 2


It tends to become brightest after the perihelion passage. It was 16 mag in early January, 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)  
Jan. 15  10 41.09   26 10.0   1.946   2.773   140   14.3     10.2 350.3   3:04 (  0, 81)  
Jan. 22  10 39.58   27 22.0   1.911   2.785   146   14.2     11.1 338.9   2:35 (  0, 82)  

* C/2002 T7 ( LINEAR )


It will be getting fainter gradually until June when it becomes 17 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15  11  6.37  -17  6.4   3.482   4.038   117   14.3     16.2 277.8   3:29 (  0, 38)  
Jan. 22  10 58.15  -16 46.3   3.458   4.116   126   14.3     18.0 281.3   2:53 (  0, 38)  

* (944) Hidalgo


It will be fading slowly until 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)  
Jan. 15   0 29.08   48 25.9   1.625   1.952    93   14.6     15.0  49.8  18:40 (132, 66)  
Jan. 22   0 38.23   49 36.4   1.682   1.951    90   14.7     17.7  53.5  18:46 (131, 61)  

* 9P/Tempel 1


Brighening well as expected. We can observe it in good condition while it is brightening, then the comet will reach to 9 mag in 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)  
Jan. 15  12 52.86    9  2.6   1.708   2.192   105   15.2     17.6  95.1   5:15 (  0, 64)  
Jan. 22  13  0.86    8 54.8   1.594   2.151   110   14.8     16.3  92.1   4:55 (  0, 64)  

* C/2003 WT42 ( LINEAR )


It has been brightening rapidly. 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)  
Jan. 15   5 28.60   48 28.1   5.383   6.180   141   15.0      4.7 268.9  21:48 (180, 77)  
Jan. 22   5 25.61   48 25.8   5.415   6.153   135   14.9      3.9 261.8  21:18 (180, 77)  

* 49P/Arend-Rigaux


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)  
Jan. 15   1 37.93  -10 57.1   1.167   1.445    83   15.1     39.1  47.0  18:40 ( 14, 43)  
Jan. 22   1 52.16   -7 46.4   1.180   1.421    81   15.1     42.1  48.7  18:46 ( 21, 45)  

* C/2004 L1 ( LINEAR )


It will be at opposition and reach to 13.5 mag in March and April. No observations have been reported since 2004 August. So it is uncertain if the comet is brightening as expected.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15  15 39.46  -28 27.7   2.623   2.229    56   15.6     10.3 207.0   5:38 (327, 18)  
Jan. 22  15 36.14  -29 35.2   2.450   2.198    63   15.4     12.8 217.8   5:37 (334, 20)  

* C/2003 T3 ( Tabur )


Diffused, and fading rapidly. It was around 16 mag in mid December, fainter than this ephemeris by 1 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15  11 24.06   41 59.5   2.877   3.592   130   15.4     12.2 290.9   3:47 (180, 83)  
Jan. 22  11 16.32   42 27.5   2.888   3.661   136   15.5     13.6 285.6   3:12 (180, 83)  

* 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 at 15.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15   4 35.06  -18 41.8   4.228   4.774   118   15.4     13.4 269.4  20:54 (  0, 36)  
Jan. 22   4 28.83  -18 39.1   4.250   4.710   112   15.4     12.0 274.1  20:21 (  0, 36)  

* 69P/Taylor


In its last return in 1997, it burst out after the perihelion passage and became extremely bright, reached to 11 mag. However, it is faint in this return. It will be fading gradually after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15   9  7.57   27 17.6   1.024   1.979   160   15.4     21.1 345.9   1:31 (  0, 82)  
Jan. 22   9  4.34   29 38.9   1.023   1.991   165   15.5     20.9 340.8   1:00 (  0, 85)  

* C/2004 RG113 ( LINEAR )


It will be observable in good condition at 16 mag until March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15   7 50.45   60 34.3   1.170   2.029   140   15.9      3.8 239.1   0:14 (180, 64)  
Jan. 22   7 47.42   60  7.5   1.155   2.006   139   15.8      6.4 207.8  23:39 (180, 65)  

* (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)  
Jan. 15   1  0.19   11 25.1   0.670   1.125    83   15.8     43.6 219.7  18:40 ( 42, 60)  
Jan. 22   0 48.09    7 40.5   0.692   1.014    72   15.9     39.0 217.7  18:46 ( 54, 50)  

* 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)  
Jan. 15   0 59.99   41 42.9   0.971   1.448    95   16.1     40.8  55.3  18:40 (120, 73)  
Jan. 22   1 21.69   44 12.0   1.049   1.491    94   16.3     39.6  60.0  18:46 (125, 70)  

* 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)  
Jan. 15   5 27.25   26 53.6   2.017   2.896   147   16.5      7.4 249.6  21:47 (  0, 82)  
Jan. 22   5 24.24   26 35.7   2.065   2.888   139   16.5      5.2 241.0  21:16 (  0, 82)  

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1


It will brighten gradually, then it will be 15 mag in spring and summer.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15  15 20.84  -15 20.4   3.771   3.439    63   16.6     16.3 107.1   5:38 (324, 32)  
Jan. 22  15 28.19  -15 52.5   3.664   3.425    68   16.5     15.4 106.7   5:37 (329, 33)  

* 164P/2004 Y1 ( Christensen )


It will be fading gradually after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15  11  5.13   26 46.8   1.707   2.499   134   16.6     11.7 340.4   3:28 (  0, 82)  
Jan. 22  11  2.31   28  4.5   1.695   2.540   141   16.7     13.0 328.8   2:57 (  0, 83)  

* 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)  
Jan. 15   0 21.24    8 13.9   2.635   2.535    73   16.7     22.4  65.8  18:40 ( 52, 52)  
Jan. 22   0 31.11    9 19.4   2.717   2.536    68   16.7     23.4  66.0  18:46 ( 60, 49)  

* 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)  
Jan. 15   1  3.16   -0 23.1   3.971   3.915    79   16.9     10.1  53.4  18:40 ( 31, 50)  
Jan. 22   1  7.22    0 20.1   4.093   3.932    73   17.0     11.2  55.7  18:46 ( 41, 48)  

* P/2004 T1 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


Fading rapidly, and it will be fainter than 18 mag in March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15   1 49.93   14 22.5   1.439   1.823    95   17.1     30.1  58.4  18:40 ( 20, 68)  
Jan. 22   2  2.61   16 10.0   1.525   1.846    92   17.5     30.7  60.7  18:46 ( 34, 68)  

* 163P/2004 V4 ( NEAT )


Although the condition is good, it will be fainter than 18 mag in late February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15   3 52.88   13 12.1   1.196   1.925   123   17.2     15.0  27.5  20:13 (  0, 68)  
Jan. 22   3 57.09   14 45.3   1.251   1.922   118   17.3     16.9  38.4  19:50 (  0, 70)  

* C/2004 D1 ( NEAT )


Because it moves in the northern sky, it keeps observable for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere. It has been brightening rapidly, but it will reach to 16 mag at best in early 2006.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15   5  0.88   48  5.6   5.039   5.800   137   17.3      5.6 280.3  21:20 (180, 77)  
Jan. 22   4 57.39   48 11.0   5.080   5.774   130   17.3      4.5 277.2  20:49 (180, 77)  

* P/2004 VR8 ( LONEOS )


It keeps 17.5 mag until May when it becomes low in the evening sky. It will be observable again at 16.5 mag in 2006.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15   3 18.99   17 20.0   2.378   2.957   117   17.3      5.8 354.4  19:39 (  0, 72)  
Jan. 22   3 19.34   18  2.1   2.439   2.928   110   17.3      6.5  17.8  19:12 (  0, 73)  

* 119P/Parker-Hartley


It will be getting lower in the evening sky after this, then will be unobservable in March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15   1 12.02   10  6.0   3.038   3.120    85   17.3     12.9  75.1  18:40 ( 36, 61)  
Jan. 22   1 18.25   10 31.4   3.128   3.112    80   17.4     14.4  74.2  18:46 ( 47, 57)  

* P/2004 WR9 ( LINEAR )


Although the condition is good, it will be fainter than 18 mag in February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15   5 18.22   32  7.8   1.026   1.918   145   17.4      3.3 108.1  21:38 (  0, 87)  
Jan. 22   5 20.89   31 59.0   1.067   1.920   138   17.5      6.7 102.5  21:13 (  0, 87)  

* P/2004 V5 ( LINEAR-Hill )


Split comets. It is observable in good condition at 17.5 mag until March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15   9 39.89   39 38.6   3.540   4.418   149   17.5      7.0 311.7   2:03 (180, 85)  
Jan. 22   9 36.43   40  9.1   3.514   4.416   153   17.5      7.3 303.6   1:32 (180, 85)  

* C/2004 X3 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It will be observable at 17.5 mag until May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15  11 37.13    3  0.5   3.995   4.584   121   17.6     11.1 235.8   4:00 (  0, 58)  
Jan. 22  11 32.37    2 17.6   3.883   4.570   129   17.5     12.7 241.7   3:27 (  0, 57)  

* 159P/2003 UD16 ( LONEOS )


Although it has passed the perihelion about 1 year ago, it has been brightening gradually, and reached to 17.5 mag now.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15   7 17.25   47  2.4   3.134   4.037   153   17.7      8.7 285.6  23:36 (180, 78)  
Jan. 22   7 11.68   47 14.5   3.175   4.053   149   17.8      7.8 278.4  23:03 (180, 78)  

* C/2002 J5 ( LINEAR )


It keeps 18 mag until spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15  14 12.08   45 39.3   6.421   6.676   100   17.8      8.4 337.3   5:38 (221, 75)  
Jan. 22  14  9.49   46 35.1   6.371   6.701   105   17.8      9.3 331.4   5:37 (202, 77)  

* C/2003 O1 ( LINEAR )


It keeps 18 mag until summer.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 15  16 42.22   33 56.2   7.399   7.131    70   17.9      4.4  22.8   5:38 (256, 48)  
Jan. 22  16 43.00   34 27.1   7.347   7.144    74   17.9      4.9  12.2   5:37 (257, 53)  

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