Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2005 Feb. 12: South)

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Updated on February 15, 2005
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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/2004 Q2 ( Machholz )


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. 12   2 52.75   72 25.1   0.603   1.238    99    4.8     44.9   4.8  20:29 (167,-22)  
Feb. 19   3  5.36   77 10.4   0.673   1.267    97    5.2     38.4  14.7  20:19 (170,-26)  

* 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. 12  19 50.87   20 41.0   1.748   1.244    44    9.9     40.9 132.4   3:58 (256,-17)  
Feb. 19  20  5.86   17 22.0   1.688   1.160    41    9.6     42.5 133.6   4:07 (256,-11)  

* 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. 12   3 35.56  -27  1.4   2.037   2.141    82    9.9     33.0 345.4  20:29 ( 95, 58)  
Feb. 19   3 32.44  -23 34.7   2.227   2.225    77   10.2     27.5 351.6  20:19 ( 97, 52)  

* C/2005 A1 ( LINEAR )


In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable soon because it goes to the southern sky. 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. 12  14 39.93  -49 37.0   0.924   1.344    89   10.6    104.0 164.0   3:58 (322, 70)  
Feb. 19  15  9.62  -62 12.6   0.841   1.262    86   10.1    122.2 159.8   4:07 (344, 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 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. 12  21 15.86  -17 36.5   2.400   1.427     7   11.5     50.0  78.6   3:58 (301,-11)  
Feb. 19  21 39.69  -16 21.7   2.396   1.427     8   11.9     49.9  77.0   4:07 (298, -9)  

* 78P/Gehrels 2


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. 12   3 53.36   14  2.3   1.858   2.191    95   12.0     21.1  75.9  20:29 (143, 33)  
Feb. 19   4  3.53   14 38.0   1.957   2.213    91   12.1     22.3  76.8  20:19 (142, 31)  

* 62P/Tsuchinshan 1


Very diffused and widely spreading visually.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  12 52.11   16  8.2   0.796   1.644   134   12.0     10.3  27.2   3:24 (180, 39)  
Feb. 19  12 53.19   17 12.9   0.793   1.676   140   12.2      9.2 358.9   2:58 (180, 38)  

* C/2004 Q1 ( Tucker )


In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps the same altitude at 35 deg high in the evening sky until June when it fades down to 15 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   0 14.57   54 27.1   2.226   2.197    75   12.1     22.3  44.9  20:29 (140,-26)  
Feb. 19   0 28.17   56 19.3   2.297   2.228    73   12.2     23.7  46.5  20:19 (142,-27)  

* 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. 12   3  7.76   23 21.5   1.653   1.890    87   12.6     25.5  63.4  20:29 (139, 19)  
Feb. 19   3 20.01   24 40.6   1.706   1.875    83   12.6     27.5  65.9  20:19 (139, 17)  

* 49P/Arend-Rigaux


It brightened rapidly in January and reached to 13 mag. Now it is visible visually. It will keep bright at 13 mag in the evening sky until April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   2 42.26    2 17.3   1.228   1.376    75   13.1     49.1  53.6  20:29 (119, 31)  
Feb. 19   3  1.29    5 40.5   1.250   1.370    74   13.0     50.7  55.4  20:19 (122, 29)  

* 9P/Tempel 1


It was 15.5 mag in early February, much fainter than expected. The brightening is much slower than expected. The ephemeris says it 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. 12  13 20.29    9 15.6   1.280   2.029   126   13.7     11.0  76.0   3:52 (180, 46)  
Feb. 19  13 24.73    9 37.8   1.187   1.990   132   13.3      8.9  65.5   3:29 (180, 45)  

* 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. 12  22 37.96   -2 38.3   1.701   0.816    17   14.2     75.1  72.1  20:29 ( 76,-15)  
Feb. 19  23 12.33    0  8.2   1.639   0.778    19   13.5     79.6  72.2  20:19 ( 81,-13)  

* 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. 12  23 13.87   55 28.7   4.078   3.885    71   13.7     17.3 105.1  20:29 (138,-34)  
Feb. 19  23 27.21   55  0.3   4.217   3.960    68   13.8     16.4 102.4  20:19 (137,-35)  

* 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. 12   0 24.46   10 58.9   6.358   5.733    47   13.7     10.3  69.7  20:29 (103, -1)  
Feb. 19   0 29.18   11 25.0   6.437   5.733    41   13.7     10.8  69.1  20:19 (101, -4)  

* C/2004 L1 ( LINEAR )


It will be at opposition and reach to 13.5 mag in March and April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  15 10.82  -33 42.7   1.897   2.121    88   14.7     28.7 242.0   3:58 (274, 68)  
Feb. 19  14 53.72  -35 18.3   1.713   2.100    98   14.4     38.1 248.6   4:07 (275, 79)  

* 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. 12  10 30.32  -14 51.2   3.470   4.346   149   14.6     21.2 290.2   1:03 (180, 70)  
Feb. 19  10 20.78  -13 56.4   3.508   4.422   154   14.7     21.3 292.8   0:26 (180, 69)  

* C/2003 WT42 ( LINEAR )


It keeps 14.5 mag until June when it becomes too low in the evening.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   5 20.84   48  3.7   5.567   6.073   116   14.9      1.5 202.9  20:29 (174,  6)  
Feb. 19   5 20.83   47 53.4   5.632   6.046   110   14.9      1.6 158.9  20:19 (171,  6)  

* (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. 12   1 18.72   53 35.3   1.848   1.963    81   14.9     24.5  60.6  20:29 (144,-17)  
Feb. 19   1 36.68   54 59.1   1.901   1.971    79   15.0     26.4  62.8  20:19 (146,-18)  

* C/2004 B1 ( LINEAR )


It will reach to 9 mag in 2006 spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until that. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be too low in the evening in March. Then it keeps unobservable until 2006 March, except it appears very low in the morning at 12 mag from late August to early September. After 2006 March, northern people can observe it for a long time while it is getting fainter.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   4 14.81  -17 57.4   4.354   4.518    93   15.2      7.5 292.5  20:29 (119, 61)  
Feb. 19   4 11.84  -17 36.0   4.393   4.454    87   15.2      6.1 301.7  20:19 (114, 57)  

* 121P/Shoemaker-Holt 2


It is brightest now, about 5 months after the perihelion passage. It is fainter than expected in this return, and reaches to 15.5 mag at best.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  10 28.82   30 49.7   1.879   2.826   159   15.4     12.3 315.1   1:02 (180, 24)  
Feb. 19  10 23.95   31 45.8   1.894   2.841   159   15.4     11.6 308.8   0:29 (180, 23)  

* 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. 12   7 44.92   56 15.9   1.155   1.957   131   15.7     16.1 172.3  22:14 (180, -1)  
Feb. 19   7 47.73   54 15.0   1.171   1.949   128   15.7     19.1 165.5  21:50 (180,  1)  

* C/2004 U1 ( LINEAR )


It kept bright as 13.5 mag until early January since the outburst in late November. However, it is fading rapidly after that.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   3  2.79   51 57.4   2.481   2.746    94   15.8     18.1 239.1  20:29 (154, -5)  
Feb. 19   2 52.89   50 57.0   2.633   2.766    87   16.1     13.6 234.7  20:19 (150, -7)  

* C/2003 T3 ( Tabur )


It will be observable in good condition 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)  
Feb. 12  10 48.00   43  6.9   2.998   3.866   147   15.9     15.7 269.2   1:21 (180, 12)  
Feb. 19  10 38.01   42 59.6   3.063   3.934   147   16.1     15.6 263.3   0:43 (180, 12)  

* 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. 12  18 53.47    0  4.1   2.634   2.044    44   16.3     35.6  76.9   3:58 (265,  7)  
Feb. 19  19  9.95    1  4.8   2.529   1.981    46   16.0     37.1  75.5   4:07 (261, 10)  

* 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. 12   8 52.17   35 25.6   1.096   2.036   155   16.0     13.9 333.3  23:21 (180, 19)  
Feb. 19   8 49.11   36 41.3   1.144   2.054   148   16.2     10.2 335.3  22:50 (180, 18)  

* 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. 12  15 47.64  -17 14.6   3.327   3.383    84   16.3     12.1 106.3   3:58 (250, 54)  
Feb. 19  15 53.01  -17 37.3   3.213   3.370    90   16.2     10.8 106.7   4:07 (242, 60)  

* 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. 12   5 23.04   25 47.5   2.262   2.865   118   16.6      3.7 122.7  20:29 (171, 29)  
Feb. 19   5 25.28   25 34.4   2.340   2.858   111   16.7      5.8 107.5  20:19 (167, 28)  

* 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. 12  18 17.42   -2 27.1   4.174   3.649    51   16.7      6.3   3.9   3:58 (262, 15)  
Feb. 19  18 17.30   -1 40.2   4.044   3.626    58   16.6      7.1 352.1   4:07 (256, 22)  

* 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. 12   2 17.01  -12 51.4   1.449   1.391    66   16.7     56.0  70.7  20:29 (100, 36)  
Feb. 19   2 40.06  -10 50.2   1.625   1.523    66   17.4     47.1  70.1  20:19 (103, 35)  

* 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. 12   2 33.91   49 24.9   1.302   1.629    89   16.8     37.1  73.2  20:29 (150, -6)  
Feb. 19   2 59.71   50 28.6   1.392   1.678    87   17.0     36.4  77.3  20:19 (151, -6)  

* 164P/2004 Y1 ( Christensen )


It 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. 12  10 46.17   31 38.2   1.727   2.663   156   16.9     14.9 304.6   1:19 (180, 23)  
Feb. 19  10 39.29   32 31.0   1.763   2.704   157   17.1     14.2 297.8   0:45 (180, 23)  

* C/2004 D1 ( NEAT )


Because it moves in the northern sky, it keeps observable for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere. 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. 12   4 51.84   48 14.0   5.256   5.696   111   17.2      0.7 261.0  20:29 (169,  5)  
Feb. 19   4 51.79   48 13.0   5.327   5.671   105   17.2      0.6 105.0  20:19 (166,  5)  

* 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. 12  14 36.52   25  3.9   4.291   4.728   110   17.4     16.0   6.4   3:58 (198, 28)  
Feb. 19  14 37.07   26 59.1   4.170   4.684   115   17.3     17.0   1.0   4:07 (189, 28)  

* 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. 12   3 27.68   20 22.5   2.642   2.843    91   17.3     11.5  51.9  20:29 (141, 24)  
Feb. 19   3 32.72   21 12.9   2.712   2.815    85   17.4     13.3  56.8  20:19 (139, 22)  

* 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. 12   9 23.88   41  8.3   3.514   4.412   152   17.5      7.1 281.3  23:52 (180, 14)  
Feb. 19   9 19.66   41 14.3   3.541   4.411   148   17.5      6.6 272.9  23:21 (180, 14)  

* 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. 12   4 19.41   19 13.6   1.442   1.922   103   17.6     22.9  58.3  20:29 (153, 31)  
Feb. 19   4 29.67   20 35.2   1.513   1.927    98   17.7     24.6  62.6  20:19 (151, 29)  

* 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. 12  13 56.18   49 30.5   6.263   6.777   117   17.8     11.6 315.1   3:58 (185,  5)  
Feb. 19  13 49.78   50 26.7   6.246   6.803   120   17.8     12.2 309.7   3:54 (180,  5)  

* 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. 12  11 12.90    0 18.9   3.613   4.521   153   17.8     17.1 252.2   1:46 (180, 55)  
Feb. 19  11  5.01   -0 16.8   3.558   4.508   162   17.8     18.1 254.1   1:10 (180, 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. 12  16 42.64   36 26.0   7.177   7.184    86   17.8      6.6 346.3   3:58 (218,  5)  
Feb. 19  16 41.42   37 12.7   7.118   7.198    90   17.8      7.3 339.2   4:07 (211,  9)  

* 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. 12   5 39.45   31 19.0   1.232   1.944   121   17.8     15.9  98.3  20:29 (175, 24)  
Feb. 19   5 48.73   31  1.7   1.300   1.957   116   18.0     18.4  98.1  20:19 (173, 24)  

* 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. 12   6 59.14   47  5.5   3.370   4.101   132   17.9      4.4 246.0  21:28 (180,  8)  
Feb. 19   6 56.95   46 50.5   3.456   4.117   126   18.0      3.4 224.1  20:59 (180,  8)  

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