Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2006 July 22: North)

Japanese version Home page	Updated on July 24, 2006
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Northern Hemisphere.

177P/2006 M3 ( Barnard 2 ) Recovered after 117 year blank since 1889. This time it will be closer to the earth than at the discovery, and observable in good condition. It has been getting brighter and larger very rapidly since mid July. Now it is so bright as 8.5 mag, with a diameter of 10 arcmin or larger (July 22, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Although it was low in June, it moved northwards rapidly and now it locates very high in the evening sky. It keeps observable in good condition at 8-9 mag until September in the Northern Hemisphere. However, because it is very close to the earth, it looks diffuse. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 17 1.84 13 55.0 0.367 1.257 123 8.7 21:01 ( 0, 70) July 29 16 55.87 24 33.5 0.381 1.209 111 8.4 20:43 ( 21, 80) 73P-C/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 It reached to 6 mag at best in early May at the remarkable approach to the earth, when it became double naked eye comets with the component B around the zenith. Now it is going away from the earth and fading. It has already faded down to 10.7 mag (July 23, Juan Jose Gonzalez). The apparent distance between the two components is reduced and two bright comets are now in the same field of a photo. It is getting higher again in the morning sky also in the Northern Hemisphere. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 2 22.44 -12 6.4 0.518 1.141 90 10.1 3:20 (309, 26) July 29 2 25.61 -12 28.0 0.545 1.198 95 10.4 3:28 (316, 30) 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak It brightened much more rapidly than expected after late April, and reached to 9.5 mag on June 15 (Willian Souza). Now it is 10.8 mag (July 20, Carlos Labordena). It is fading now, but it keeps observable in the evening until autumn when it becomes too faint to see. It keeps locating around 30 degree high. Great outburst over 6 mag has occured always in recent appearances in 1995 and 2001. So it may brighten much more after this. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 12 58.01 5 26.6 0.976 1.179 72 10.4 20:51 ( 75, 29) July 29 13 29.02 1 51.4 1.006 1.223 74 10.8 20:43 ( 70, 29) 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova The condition is worst in this time, not visible in the Northern Hemisphere at all. It was observed in the Southern Hemisphere as 11.4 mag on June 6, as bright as expected (Michael Mattiazzo). However, in this appearance, the comet will never be observable again. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 8 3.32 21 16.5 1.718 0.702 0 10.6 3:20 (227,-17) July 29 8 41.30 19 33.6 1.810 0.796 2 11.3 20:43 (128,-16) 71P/Clark Now it is brightest and reached to 10.7 mag (July 7, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is almost at opposition and the condition is best, however, it keeps very low, only about 15 degree high until September in the Northern Hemisphere. It will be fading after this. When it gets higher again, it will be fainter than 14 mag, too faint to see visually. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 19 37.22 -42 14.2 0.636 1.622 157 10.9 23:36 ( 0, 13) July 29 19 36.77 -42 23.4 0.668 1.641 153 11.1 23:08 ( 0, 13) C/2006 M4 ( SWAN ) New comet discovered on the SWAN images. Now it is only observable in the Southern Hemisphere. Even in the Southern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable soon. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear at 7.5 mag in the extremely low sky at dawn in late September. It will turn to locate in the evening sky after early October. Then it keeps observable in the evening sky until early January while fading gradually. In the Southern Hemisphere, it cannot be observable until next April when it becomes fainter than 15 mag. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 9 17.79 1 26.7 2.308 1.465 26 11.5 20:51 (105,-18) July 29 9 26.95 3 51.5 2.277 1.369 20 11.2 20:43 (109,-19) 73P-B/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 It reached to 5 mag at best in early May at the remarkable approach to the earth, when it became double naked eye comets with the component C around the zenith. Now it is going away from the earth and fading. It has already faded down to 12.2 mag visually (July 21, Carlos Labordena), or 14.9 mag by CCD (July 21, Masayuki Suzuki). The apparent distance between the two components is reduced and two bright comets are now in the same field of a photo. It is getting higher again in the morning sky also in the Northern Hemisphere. But it is very diffuse, and it will be too faint to see visually soon. Ken-ichi Kadota and Masayuki Suzuki report that the nucleus seems to continue small outbursts still now. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 2 22.97 -12 48.4 0.499 1.134 90 11.6 3:20 (309, 25) July 29 2 25.68 -13 11.5 0.527 1.190 95 12.1 3:28 (316, 30) 4P/Faye It is brightening as expected, and it is already visible visually. Now it is 12.4 mag (July 22, Jakub Cerny). It will be brightening rapidly after this, and will reach to 8.5 mag from autumn to winter, and observable in its best condition. It keeps 14 mag still in 2007 April, so it keeps visible visually for a long time. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 0 47.56 12 14.3 1.524 2.015 103 12.3 3:20 (313, 60) July 29 0 58.00 13 6.4 1.426 1.979 107 12.0 3:28 (322, 64) C/2005 E2 ( McNaught ) It had been observed at 10 mag in the evening sky from winter to spring. But now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky again in late August at 13.5 mag. It will come to locate high in October, then it will be visible visually again at 14 mag. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 7 33.06 32 38.0 3.456 2.483 14 13.0 3:20 (225, -4) July 29 7 47.84 32 1.6 3.507 2.550 16 13.2 3:28 (228, -2) C/2006 L2 ( McNaught ) New comet just discovered on June 14. It is bright as 12.6 mag and visible visually (June 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). In the Northern Hemisphere, it locates rather low in the evening. In the Southern Hemisphere, it locates high. It will be observable at 13 mag for a long time after this. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 14 7.80 -17 28.1 2.128 2.464 96 13.1 20:51 ( 44, 25) July 29 14 7.50 -14 33.0 2.211 2.417 89 13.1 20:43 ( 50, 24) 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 Appearing at dawn. It is already in outburst and visible bright as 12.9 mag now (July 9, Esteban Reina Lorenz). It will be observable in good condition in autumn and winter. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 4 0.93 29 11.9 6.341 5.825 55 13.8 3:20 (254, 31) July 29 4 5.43 29 30.2 6.251 5.826 60 13.7 3:28 (257, 37) (3200) Phaethon It is not observable around the perihelion passage in early August. But it will be observable in good condition as 15-16 mag from September to November. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 7 32.92 19 41.5 1.567 0.575 7 14.8 3:20 (234,-13) July 29 8 15.57 16 38.8 1.400 0.396 4 13.7 3:28 (235,-17) C/2004 B1 ( LINEAR ) It was observed as 12 mag in spring. It was diffuse visually, but bright and enjoyable with a large telescope. It was still bright as 12.8 mag on June 25 (Carlos Labordena). However, it is fading rapidly now. It keeps observable in good condition until autumn, but it will be too faint to see visually soon. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 15 34.80 31 1.6 2.320 2.650 97 14.0 20:51 ( 81, 73) July 29 15 27.96 30 28.9 2.486 2.716 91 14.2 20:43 ( 86, 68) C/2003 WT42 ( LINEAR ) It has been visible at 13.5 mag for a long time since last autumn until spring. But it is already very low in the evening sky. It will be too low to observe soon. However, it will be observable in good condition again at 14.5 mag in next winter. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 10 47.70 36 8.6 6.000 5.248 38 14.2 20:51 (121, 19) July 29 10 54.69 35 9.2 6.051 5.256 35 14.2 20:43 (122, 16) 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1 In 2005 spring, it reached to 14 mag and became visible visually as 13.8 mag (July 8, Reinder J. Bouma). In 2006, it will be the same condition and brightness in summer again. Somewhat low in the south. But it will reach to 14 mag. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 22 47.92 -20 30.6 2.352 3.213 141 15.0 2:50 ( 0, 35) July 29 22 45.47 -21 2.2 2.313 3.223 148 15.0 2:21 ( 0, 34) D/1986 W1 ( Lovas 2 ) It has been lost since its discovery in 1986. The condition is good in this return. In calculation, it will be 14 mag from autumn to winter. However, it was probably in outburst and brightened unexpectedly at the discovery. So it can be much fainer than this ephemeris actually. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until it fades out in next spring. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 17 30.43 -23 10.3 1.015 1.932 144 15.3 21:29 ( 0, 32) July 29 17 26.13 -22 58.7 1.015 1.886 136 15.2 20:58 ( 0, 32) 52P/Harrington-Abell It was in major outburst unexpectedly and reached to 10.5 mag in its last appearance in 1999. It was already recovered in 2005 October. But it has not been observed for about 1 year since that. So the current brightness is quite uncertain. It will appear in the morning sky at 15.5 mag in September, then it will fade out gradually. But actually, it can be much fainter than this ephemeris. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 7 28.48 27 11.1 2.760 1.772 10 15.4 3:20 (229, -7) July 29 7 49.25 26 8.9 2.743 1.764 12 15.4 3:28 (232, -6) 2006 HR30 Peculiar asteroid moving along a comet-like orbit. It will reach to 14 mag in next January. It keeps observable in good condition after this while getting brighter rapidly. It may turn to be a comet after this. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 22 48.40 10 52.2 1.673 2.443 129 15.9 2:51 ( 0, 66) July 29 22 44.91 12 56.7 1.552 2.376 134 15.7 2:20 ( 0, 68) C/2005 L3 ( McNaught ) It is outside of Jupiter's orbit, so it keeps observable for a long time. In 2006, it is still faint and locating somewhat low. But in 2007 and 2008, it is expected to be bright as 14.5-15 mag. It will locate high at that time, so it may be visible visually. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 19 25.73 -24 10.1 5.803 6.806 170 15.7 23:24 ( 0, 31) July 29 19 18.60 -24 0.3 5.805 6.779 162 15.7 22:50 ( 0, 31) P/2006 H1 ( McNaught ) It is getting higher in the morning sky. It keeps observable at 17 mag in good condition after this until October. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 23 57.93 -8 26.3 1.767 2.467 122 16.9 3:20 (346, 46) July 29 23 58.68 -7 56.5 1.718 2.483 128 16.8 3:28 (358, 47) C/2004 Q2 ( Machholz ) It was fantastic, so bright as 3.5 mag, so large as 30 arcmin, locating high overhead at its best time in early 2004 January. Then it has been getting fainter gradually, and become already too faint to see visually. However, it is still bright as 15.8 mag by CCD observations (Mar. 30, Katsumi Yoshimoto). It keeps observable until October when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 16 5.13 0 53.1 5.797 6.335 117 16.8 20:51 ( 20, 54) July 29 16 3.97 0 24.0 5.953 6.395 111 16.9 20:43 ( 28, 52) 98P/Takamizawa It was unexpectedly bright as 15.5 mag on Apr. 2 (Ken-ichi Kadota). Although it had been very low until June, now it is getting higher. It is already fading now. However, I has ever become a naked eye object in outburst, so observations are encouraged. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 0 34.08 -7 42.7 1.496 2.121 113 16.9 3:20 (334, 44) July 29 0 37.02 -8 21.1 1.467 2.160 119 17.0 3:28 (344, 45) C/2005 B1 ( Christensen ) It was 16.0 mag on Mar. 13 (Ken-ichi Kadota). It kept 16-16.5 mag for about one year from early 2005. It keeps 17 mag until autumn. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 1 7.66 54 25.3 3.508 3.503 81 16.9 3:20 (216, 63) July 29 1 5.95 54 14.3 3.442 3.531 86 16.9 3:28 (208, 67) C/2002 VQ94 ( LINEAR ) It is outside of Jupiter's orbit. So it keeps 17 mag for a long time until 2007 summer. Because it moves in the northern sky, it keeps locating high and observable in good condition, except for 2006 autumn when it becomes low temporarily. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 13 18.01 55 5.9 7.217 6.881 66 16.9 20:51 (136, 49) July 29 13 19.86 53 45.1 7.268 6.888 64 17.0 20:43 (134, 46) P/2005 L1 ( McNaught ) It was observed at 17 mag in 2005 summer. It will reach to 17 mag again in 2006 summer. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 22 54.81 -9 6.0 2.466 3.287 137 17.1 2:57 ( 0, 46) July 29 22 53.04 -9 34.4 2.415 3.296 144 17.1 2:28 ( 0, 45) P/2004 F3 ( NEAT ) It was bright as 15 mag in 2004 and 2005. Now it is far away from the sun, but it still observable at 17 mag in 2006. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 1 13.60 -11 19.9 3.524 3.923 105 17.2 3:20 (324, 36) July 29 1 15.02 -11 39.4 3.449 3.941 111 17.1 3:28 (334, 40) C/2005 S4 ( McNaught ) It is outside of Jupiter's orbit. So it keeps 16.5-17.5 mag for a long time until 2008. In 2006, it keeps observable in good condition until November. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 21 43.03 -16 13.1 5.439 6.382 156 17.2 1:46 ( 0, 39) July 29 21 36.72 -16 4.2 5.379 6.363 164 17.2 1:12 ( 0, 39) C/2006 M1 ( LINEAR ) It keeps 17 mag for a long time after this until the end of 2007. It will be observable in good condition in 2006 autumn and 2007 autumn. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 19 43.13 48 18.5 3.526 4.007 111 17.3 23:42 (180, 77) July 29 19 38.58 48 37.8 3.493 3.979 111 17.2 23:10 (180, 76) C/2003 K4 ( LINEAR ) It reached to 6 mag in 2004. It had been visible visually until January. It is appearing at dawn after a blank of half a year. It will be already very faint as 17 mag. It will be fading slowly around 17-18 mag until December. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 3 10.56 -0 20.6 7.543 7.340 74 17.2 3:20 (290, 25) July 29 3 10.73 -0 29.5 7.488 7.398 81 17.3 3:28 (297, 32) P/2005 JY126 ( Catalina ) It will be observable at 17 mag in good condition in September and October. Then it will fade out rapidly, and will be fainter than 18 mag in December. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 2 37.67 18 53.9 2.446 2.412 76 17.3 3:20 (277, 43) July 29 2 46.76 18 57.2 2.385 2.436 80 17.3 3:28 (281, 49) C/2006 K4 ( NEAT ) It will reach to 14.5 mag in 2007 summer, but it will be observable only in the Southern Hemisphere at that time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable at 17.5 mag in good condition until autumn. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 20 15.35 11 38.5 4.613 5.500 147 17.7 0:18 ( 0, 67) July 29 20 8.97 10 43.0 4.551 5.453 149 17.7 23:40 ( 0, 66) C/2005 R4 ( LINEAR ) It was observed at 17 mag in late 2005. In 2006, it will be observable at 17.5 mag in autumn. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 3 12.24 23 51.0 5.602 5.289 67 17.7 3:20 (266, 39) July 29 3 10.46 24 4.6 5.488 5.299 74 17.7 3:28 (271, 46) 102P/Shoemaker 1 Although it was not observed in its last return in 1999, it is observable in good condition after the periheliion passage in this return. Now it is brightest. But actually, it was 18.6 mag, much fainter than originally expected by 4-5 mag (June 30, Filip Fratev). In this appearance, it will never be brighter than 18 mag and it will fade out after this. However, the current observations do not fit in the orbital elements calculation. So further astrometry is very important. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) July 22 2 28.69 31 5.8 2.022 2.009 74 18.6 3:20 (262, 50) July 29 2 40.39 33 37.1 1.970 2.021 78 18.5 3:28 (260, 56)