Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2005 Feb. 5: North)

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Updated on February 7, 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 started fading slowly. It is visible all night in the Northern Hemisphere. 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)  
Feb.  5   2 51.42   66 37.0   0.534   1.218   102    4.5     55.4 357.8  18:58 (168, 56)  
Feb. 12   2 52.75   72 25.1   0.603   1.238    99    4.8     44.9   4.8  19:04 (169, 50)  

* C/2003 K4 ( LINEAR )


It locates high in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be fading gradually in the evening sky. It becomes too low in the evening sky at 12-13 mag in April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb.  5   3 41.48  -31  4.7   1.851   2.057    87    9.5     40.2 339.4  18:58 (  5, 24)  
Feb. 12   3 35.56  -27  1.4   2.037   2.141    82    9.9     33.0 345.4  19:04 ( 15, 27)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5  19 35.72   23 50.4   1.800   1.332    46   10.1     40.1 131.4   5:29 (257, 24)  
Feb. 12  19 50.87   20 41.0   1.748   1.244    44    9.9     40.9 132.4   5:24 (261, 24)  

* C/2005 A1 ( LINEAR )


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)  
Feb.  5  14 23.17  -39  3.9   1.042   1.429    89   11.1     84.2 164.5   5:22 (  0, 16)  
Feb. 12  14 39.93  -49 37.0   0.924   1.344    89   10.6    104.0 164.0   5:11 (  0,  6)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5  20 51.71  -18 41.0   2.407   1.431     6   11.5     50.0  80.4   5:29 (283,-15)  
Feb. 12  21 15.86  -17 36.5   2.400   1.427     7   11.5     50.0  78.6   5:24 (281,-15)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5  12 48.59   15  6.5   0.804   1.615   128   11.8     12.9  49.5   3:48 (  0, 70)  
Feb. 12  12 52.11   16  8.2   0.796   1.644   134   12.0     10.3  27.2   3:24 (  0, 71)  

* 78P/Gehrels 2


It will be fading gradually after this. Getting diffused in February. It will be visible visually until May when it becomes too low in the evening sky at 13-14 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb.  5   3 43.87   13 26.8   1.761   2.169   100   11.8     19.6  75.2  18:58 ( 11, 68)  
Feb. 12   3 53.36   14  2.3   1.858   2.191    95   12.0     21.1  75.9  19:04 ( 26, 67)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5   0  2.74   52 38.8   2.154   2.168    77   12.2     20.8  43.2  18:58 (132, 45)  
Feb. 12   0 14.57   54 27.1   2.226   2.197    75   12.5     22.3  44.9  19:04 (135, 42)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5   2 56.85   22  1.5   1.600   1.907    91   12.6     23.3  60.5  18:58 ( 51, 71)  
Feb. 12   3  7.76   23 21.5   1.653   1.890    87   12.6     25.5  63.4  19:04 ( 64, 68)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


It has been rather faint, diffused, and hard to see since mid January. It will be too low in March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb.  5   0 19.97   10 34.8   6.272   5.732    52   13.7      9.7  70.3  18:58 ( 78, 34)  
Feb. 12   0 24.46   10 58.9   6.358   5.733    47   13.7     10.3  69.7  19:04 ( 83, 29)  

* 9P/Tempel 1


It has brightened to 16 mag in mid January. 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)  
Feb.  5  13 14.73    9  1.0   1.379   2.070   121   14.1     12.9  83.2   4:14 (  0, 64)  
Feb. 12  13 20.29    9 15.6   1.280   2.029   126   13.7     11.0  76.0   3:52 (  0, 64)  

* 141P/Machholz 2


Not yet observed in this return. The condition of this appearance is bad. It will appear at the evening low sky in March at 12.5 mag in the Northern Hemisphere, or in April at 14 mag in the Southern Hemisphere. Then it will become faint rapidly while locating very low in the evening.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb.  5  22  5.58   -5 13.9   1.767   0.868    16   14.9     70.2  72.4  18:58 ( 85, -2)  
Feb. 12  22 37.96   -2 38.3   1.701   0.816    17   14.2     75.1  72.1  19:04 ( 87,  0)  

* 121P/Shoemaker-Holt 2


It tends to become brightest after the perihelion passage. Therefore it becomes brightest in February. It was 15.5 mag in late January, fainter than expected by about 1-1.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb.  5  10 33.25   29 45.0   1.877   2.812   157   14.2     12.4 322.0   1:33 (  0, 85)  
Feb. 12  10 28.82   30 49.7   1.879   2.826   159   14.2     12.3 315.1   1:02 (  0, 86)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5  10 39.90  -15 38.4   3.449   4.270   142   14.5     20.6 287.4   1:40 (  0, 39)  
Feb. 12  10 30.32  -14 51.2   3.470   4.346   149   14.6     21.2 290.2   1:03 (  0, 40)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5  22 59.76   56  4.4   3.938   3.810    75   14.6     18.3 107.7  18:58 (138, 36)  
Feb. 12  23 13.87   55 28.7   4.078   3.885    71   14.8     17.3 105.1  19:04 (138, 34)  

* C/2004 U1 ( LINEAR )


It kept bright as 13.5 mag until early January since the outburst in late November. But it seems to start fading after mid January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb.  5   3 16.74   53  6.7   2.332   2.729   103   14.6     23.4 244.1  18:58 (160, 70)  
Feb. 12   3  2.79   51 57.4   2.481   2.746    94   14.8     18.1 239.1  19:04 (143, 66)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5  15 22.71  -32 12.6   2.083   2.143    79   14.9     21.6 235.0   5:29 (348, 22)  
Feb. 12  15 10.83  -33 43.0   1.896   2.120    88   14.7     28.7 242.0   5:24 (356, 21)  

* (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)  
Feb.  5   1  3.03   52 12.4   1.794   1.956    84   14.8     22.4  58.4  18:58 (133, 54)  
Feb. 12   1 18.72   53 35.3   1.848   1.963    81   14.9     24.5  60.6  19:04 (134, 51)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5   5 21.66   48 13.0   5.508   6.099   122   14.9      2.1 235.2  20:19 (180, 77)  
Feb. 12   5 20.84   48  3.7   5.567   6.073   116   14.9      1.5 202.9  19:50 (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)  
Feb.  5   2 24.37   -1  6.8   1.210   1.387    77   15.0     47.1  51.9  18:58 ( 37, 48)  
Feb. 12   2 42.26    2 17.3   1.228   1.376    75   15.1     49.1  53.6  19:04 ( 45, 49)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5   4 18.65  -18 15.8   4.315   4.582    99   15.3      9.0 285.2  19:15 (  0, 37)  
Feb. 12   4 14.81  -17 57.4   4.354   4.518    93   15.2      7.5 292.5  19:04 (  6, 37)  

* C/2004 RG113 ( LINEAR )


It will be observable in good condition at 16 mag until March. It was reported as 14.4 mag visually.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb.  5   7 44.11   57 56.8   1.147   1.970   134   15.7     12.8 180.7  22:41 (180, 67)  
Feb. 12   7 44.92   56 15.9   1.155   1.957   131   15.7     16.1 172.3  22:14 (180, 69)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5  10 57.97   43  3.2   2.947   3.798   145   15.8     15.4 274.9   1:58 (180, 82)  
Feb. 12  10 48.00   43  6.9   2.998   3.866   147   15.9     15.7 269.2   1:21 (180, 82)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5   8 56.10   33 48.2   1.060   2.020   161   15.8     17.1 334.2  23:52 (  0, 89)  
Feb. 12   8 52.17   35 25.6   1.096   2.036   155   16.0     13.9 333.3  23:21 (180, 89)  

* (3200) Phaethon


It will be too low in the evening sky in mid February, then it will be unobservable.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb.  5   0 25.21    0 34.4   0.716   0.758    49   15.9     42.6 222.0  18:58 ( 68, 29)  
Feb. 12   0  9.23   -3 21.5   0.718   0.606    37   15.9     55.4 229.1  19:04 ( 73, 17)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5   1 48.81  -15 11.1   1.280   1.253    65   16.0     68.6  72.1  18:58 ( 37, 31)  
Feb. 12   2 17.01  -12 51.4   1.449   1.391    66   16.7     56.0  70.7  19:04 ( 40, 32)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5  15 41.66  -16 49.6   3.441   3.397    79   16.4     13.4 106.3   5:29 (339, 35)  
Feb. 12  15 47.64  -17 14.6   3.327   3.383    84   16.3     12.1 106.3   5:24 (343, 36)  

* 21P/Giacobini-Zinner


It will reach to 10 mag in June and July. It keeps locating rather low in the morning until that. It must have been already bright, but no observations have been reported since 2004 June.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb.  5  18 37.53   -0 48.0   2.739   2.106    41   16.7     34.3  78.5   5:29 (288, 22)  
Feb. 12  18 53.47    0  4.1   2.634   2.044    44   16.3     35.6  76.9   5:24 (288, 24)  

* 129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3


It keeps 17 mag until May when it becomes low in the evening.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb.  5   5 22.10   26  2.1   2.188   2.872   125   16.6      2.3 166.9  20:19 (  0, 81)  
Feb. 12   5 23.04   25 47.5   2.262   2.865   118   16.6      3.7 122.7  19:53 (  0, 81)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5   2  8.82   48  1.6   1.215   1.582    91   16.7     37.8  69.0  18:58 (131, 66)  
Feb. 12   2 33.91   49 24.9   1.302   1.629    89   16.8     37.1  73.2  19:04 (133, 64)  

* C/2004 K1 ( Catalina )


Appearing at dawn. It will be observable in good condition at 15.5 mag from April to June.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb.  5  18 16.94   -3  8.8   4.295   3.672    45   16.8      5.8  15.8   5:29 (293, 25)  
Feb. 12  18 17.42   -2 27.1   4.174   3.649    51   16.7      6.3   3.9   5:24 (297, 29)  

* 164P/2004 Y1 ( Christensen )


It will be fading gradually, 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)  
Feb.  5  10 52.56   30 34.0   1.704   2.622   153   16.8     14.8 311.7   1:53 (  0, 85)  
Feb. 12  10 46.17   31 38.2   1.727   2.663   156   16.9     14.9 304.6   1:19 (  0, 87)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5   0 52.24   11 36.1   2.877   2.540    60   16.9     25.1  66.6  18:58 ( 73, 42)  
Feb. 12   1  3.40   12 46.3   2.954   2.544    56   16.9     25.8  66.9  19:04 ( 79, 38)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5   4 52.82   48 14.4   5.190   5.721   118   17.2      2.0 270.2  19:50 (180, 77)  
Feb. 12   4 51.84   48 14.0   5.256   5.696   111   17.2      0.7 261.0  19:21 (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)  
Feb.  5   3 23.73   19 33.7   2.573   2.871    97   17.3      9.7  44.9  18:58 ( 30, 73)  
Feb. 12   3 27.68   20 22.5   2.642   2.843    91   17.3     11.5  51.9  19:04 ( 50, 69)  

* C/2005 B1 ( Christensen )


Recovery of a peculiar asteroid 2004 FS101 discovered in 2004 spring. It keeps observable at 15-16 mag for a long time from 2005 spring to 2006 winter. 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)  
Feb.  5  14 35.24   23 16.2   4.421   4.773   105   17.5     15.1  12.1   5:29 (354, 78)  
Feb. 12  14 36.52   25  3.9   4.291   4.728   110   17.4     16.0   6.4   5:08 (  0, 80)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5   9 28.23   40 55.0   3.500   4.413   154   17.5      7.4 288.9   0:29 (180, 84)  
Feb. 12   9 23.88   41  8.3   3.514   4.412   152   17.5      7.1 281.3  23:52 (180, 84)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5   4 10.48   17 47.3   1.375   1.920   107   17.5     21.0  53.0  19:08 (  0, 73)  
Feb. 12   4 19.41   19 13.6   1.442   1.922   103   17.6     22.9  58.3  19:04 ( 12, 74)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5   5 31.60   31 34.3   1.171   1.934   127   17.7     13.0  99.0  20:29 (  0, 87)  
Feb. 12   5 39.45   31 19.0   1.232   1.944   121   17.8     15.9  98.3  20:09 (  0, 86)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5  14  1.59   48 32.0   6.291   6.751   113   17.8     10.9 320.5   5:01 (180, 77)  
Feb. 12  13 56.18   49 30.5   6.263   6.777   117   17.8     11.6 315.1   4:28 (180, 76)  

* C/2004 X3 ( LINEAR )


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)  
Feb.  5  11 20.18    0 56.5   3.686   4.534   145   17.9     15.8 249.6   2:20 (  0, 56)  
Feb. 12  11 12.90    0 18.9   3.613   4.521   153   17.8     17.1 252.2   1:46 (  0, 55)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5  16 43.27   35 42.5   7.235   7.170    82   17.9      6.0 354.1   5:29 (259, 63)  
Feb. 12  16 42.64   36 26.0   7.177   7.184    86   17.8      6.6 346.3   5:24 (258, 68)  

* 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)  
Feb.  5   7  2.42   47 15.2   3.294   4.085   138   17.9      5.6 260.2  21:59 (180, 78)  
Feb. 12   6 59.14   47  5.5   3.370   4.101   132   17.9      4.4 246.0  21:28 (180, 78)  

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