Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2007 Sept. 29: South)

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Updated on September 30, 2007
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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/2007 F1 ( LONEOS )

Although it had been unobservable for a while, now it is finally appearing in the extremely low sky at dawn. Now it is 8.2 mag (Sept. 29, Piotr Guzik), much brighter than originally expected. It will approach down to 0.4 A.U. to the sun on Oct. 28, and it will be getting brighter rapidly after this. It can reach to 4 mag in mid October. However, the condition in the Northern Hemisphere is very hard. It locates extremely low, slightly over the horizon, in the morning sky from late September to mid October, and in the evening sky from mid October to late October. Then it will never be observable again. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear in the evening sky at 4-5 mag in early November, then it keeps observable while fading gradually, although it will not locate very high.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  12  1.62   27 51.0   1.532   0.837    30    8.9   4:15 (256,-30)  
Oct.  6  12 27.96   26 58.0   1.308   0.703    32    7.8   4:04 (258,-32)  

* C/2006 VZ13 ( LINEAR )

It reached to 7.2 mag on July 14 (Maik Meyer), then it faded down to 9.0 mag on Aug. 13 (Carlos Labordena). Now it is not observable. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky in late October at 13 mag, then it keeps observable while fading gradually. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear again at 14 mag in the very low sky at dawn in mid November. But it will be fading while keeping extremely low.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  12 27.47  -23 46.1   2.181   1.304    21   11.3  19:26 ( 58, -3)  
Oct.  6  12 25.32  -25 37.9   2.259   1.376    21   11.7   4:04 (303, -1)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Although it has been observable since late July, it keeps faint in this season. It has never be brighter than 14 mag yet. It was reported as 15 mag also in September.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   6 26.84   30 14.6   5.875   5.952    89   13.7   4:15 (204, 20)  
Oct.  6   6 28.69   30 18.2   5.766   5.954    95   13.6   4:04 (200, 21)  

* C/2006 Q1 ( McNaught )

It will reach to 11 mag in 2008 spring. It will keep bright for a long time, however, it keeps moving in the southern sky for a while after this. It had been brightening well until May up to 15 mag. No observations have been reported since late May, but it keeps observable in good condition until 2008 summer in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear at 13 mag from October to December in a short time, but very low and hard to observe. However, it will be visible visually at 11 mag in the evening sky from March to June in 2008. Then it becomes unobservable again. But it will appear in the morning sky again at 13 mag at the end of 2008, then it keeps bright and observable for a while.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   8 33.87  -34 13.4   4.301   3.923    61   13.9   4:15 (286, 43)  
Oct.  6   8 42.65  -35 20.4   4.220   3.876    63   13.8   4:04 (287, 45)  

* C/2006 XA1 ( LINEAR )

It reached to 13.2 mag in last spring (May 12, Carlos Labordena). But now it is not observable. In the Southen Hemisphere, it will be observable again at 15 mag in November. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it will never observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  11 41.19  -13 12.2   2.958   2.005    14   13.9   4:15 (289, -4)  
Oct.  6  11 55.75  -15 50.1   2.984   2.044    16   14.0   4:04 (291, -2)  

* C/2006 OF2 ( Broughton )

It is already bright and visible visually at 13.6 mag (Sept. 15, Carlos Labordena). It will reach to 10.5 mag and will be observable in good condition in 2008 autumn. It keeps observable in good condition for a long time while the comet is getting brighter slowly.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  21 18.24   -8  4.3   3.622   4.374   133   14.2  20:47 (180, 63)  
Oct.  6  21 15.78   -7 55.7   3.652   4.319   126   14.2  20:17 (180, 63)  

* P/2007 H1 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright and visible visually at 12.8 mag (Sept. 23, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is observable in very good condition at 13-14 mag for a while in this autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   0  8.24  -12 39.1   1.318   2.300   164   14.2  23:36 (180, 68)  
Oct.  6   0  4.88  -13 29.9   1.345   2.307   159   14.3  23:05 (180, 69)  

* 93P/Lovas 1

Brightening rapidly. Now it is 13.9 mag (Sept. 16, Carlos Labordena). It is brightening rather faster than this ephemeris, and already visible visually. It is observable at 13.5 mag in good condition from autumn to winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   0 52.77   20 37.3   0.913   1.886   159   14.6   0:25 (180, 34)  
Oct.  6   0 47.34   21 48.4   0.878   1.857   163   14.3  23:47 (180, 33)  

* 8P/Tuttle

It will reach to 6 mag in January, and will be observable in good condition. Now it is 16.6 mag (Sept. 8, C. Rinner and F. Kugel). Brightening rapidly, and it will become visible visually in October. In the Northern Hemipshere, it keeps observable until early February, when it fades down to 7.5 mag. In the Southern Hemipshere, it is not observable until late December. But after that, it keeps observable until it fades out.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   4 44.96   87 15.7   1.632   1.963    93   14.9   4:15 (180,-32)  
Oct.  6   7 12.95   88 24.2   1.525   1.890    94   14.4   4:04 (181,-34)  

* C/2006 K4 ( NEAT )

Now it is 15.8 mag (Sept. 2, R. Salvo). It keeps 15 mag for a long time until 2008 spring. It moves in the southen sky, so it keeps observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere, although it becomes low only in winter. It will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  16 51.64  -57 26.0   3.326   3.243    76   14.7  19:26 ( 39, 52)  
Oct.  6  16 49.27  -57 31.9   3.420   3.231    70   14.8  19:32 ( 41, 47)  

* C/2006 S5 ( Hill )

Now it is 16.0 mag (Aug. 12, Ken-ichi Kadota), brightening as expected. It will reach to 14 mag in next winter, and will be observable in good condition. It is expected to be visible visually. It keeps observable in good condition for a long time until 2008 spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   6 56.43   26 26.9   2.674   2.735    82   15.0   4:15 (212, 21)  
Oct.  6   7  6.72   25 56.8   2.573   2.716    87   14.9   4:04 (210, 22)  

* C/2005 L3 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright and visible visually at 13.8 mag (Sept. 8, Carlos Labordena). It had been observable in good conditoin for a long time since spring, but it will be getting lower and lower after this, and will be unobservable in November. But it will be observable at 14 mag at high location again in 2008 spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  16 46.04   -1  9.0   5.973   5.650    66   15.0  19:26 (117, 34)  
Oct.  6  16 45.96   -1  9.2   6.072   5.643    60   15.0  19:32 (110, 28)  

* P/1990 V1 ( Shoemaker-Levy 1 )

It has not been recovered yet because it had been unobservable for a long time. But it must be already bright as 15 mag. It will appear in the evening sky in October, then it will be getting higher gradually. It keeps observable at 14-15 mag in the evening sky until January. Then it keeps locating in the evening sky until April when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  18 27.37  -53 31.3   1.418   1.728    89   15.3  19:26 ( 33, 66)  
Oct.  6  18 45.20  -52 31.8   1.425   1.685    86   15.2  19:32 ( 39, 65)  

* C/2006 U6 ( Spacewatch )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Sept. 8, Ken-ichi Kadota), brightening as expected. It will reach to 13.5 mag in the southern sky in 2008 spring and summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time after this. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it will be lower than 10 degree in November. Then it keeps locating extremely low until January, and will be unobservable after that. Then it will be observable again at the end of 2008, when the comet will already fade down to 15 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   1 17.11  -34 17.5   2.786   3.621   141   15.3   0:49 (180, 89)  
Oct.  6   1 10.42  -36 42.3   2.765   3.572   138   15.2   0:15 (  0, 88)  

* C/2006 V1 ( Catalina )

It was observed at 16 mag in 2007 spring and summer. Now it is not observable. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear again at 16 mag in winter, then it keeps 16 mag and observable in good condition until 2008 summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  12 45.15  -25 13.1   3.630   2.744    23   15.4  19:26 ( 59,  1)  
Oct.  6  12 57.95  -26 56.3   3.627   2.729    22   15.4  19:32 ( 55, -1)  

* 50P/Arend

Now it is 17.0 mag (Sept. 8, Ken-ichi Kadota). It keeps observable in good condition until it fades out in 2008 spring. It is expected to reach to 15 mag in autumn, however, recent reports are fainter than this ephemeris by 1 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   2 41.72   35 17.3   1.119   1.947   133   15.5   2:13 (180, 20)  
Oct.  6   2 40.08   37 35.2   1.076   1.939   138   15.4   1:44 (180, 17)  

* 188P/2007 J7 ( LINEAR-Mueller )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 1998 at 14 mag. Now it is 15.6 mag (Sept.. 10, Mt. Lemmon Survey), brightened as expected. It keeps observable at 16 mag in good condition until December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   0  5.72    2  0.3   1.608   2.609   176   15.7  23:33 (180, 53)  
Oct.  6   0  0.49    2  3.0   1.612   2.599   168   15.6  23:01 (180, 53)  

* 17P/Holmes

It was bright as 14.5 mag in July (July 16, Michael Jager). But now it is 15.4 mag (Aug. 26, Ken-ichi Kadota), getting a bit fainter. It keeps observable in excellent condition while getting fainter gradually until January when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   4  1.94   46 43.7   1.744   2.344   114   15.7   3:33 (180,  8)  
Oct.  6   4  2.32   47 52.7   1.707   2.369   119   15.8   3:06 (180,  7)  

* 46P/Wirtanen

It will reach to 8.5 mag from January to March, and will be observable in good condition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until 2008 July when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. Now it is 16.9 mag (Sept. 3, Ken-ichi Kadota), but it will be brightening rapidly after this. It will be visible visually in November.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  22  1.02  -34 29.4   1.053   1.870   131   16.1  21:29 (180, 89)  
Oct.  6  21 54.43  -34 26.5   1.052   1.810   123   15.7  20:55 (180, 89)  

* 110P/Hartley 3

Although it was so faint as 18.2 mag on Aug. 10 (Ken-ichi Kadota), it will brighten very rapidly in a short time and reach to 15 mag in October. It will be observable at 14.5-15 mag in an excellent condition from October to February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   5 26.52   33 27.1   2.200   2.604   102   16.1   4:15 (189, 21)  
Oct.  6   5 32.49   33 36.8   2.106   2.592   107   15.8   4:04 (187, 21)  

* C/2007 G1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.6 mag (Aug. 25, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will reach to 12 mag in 2008 summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable almost all time until that while the comet is brightening gradually. However, it goes to the southern sky and will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere after that.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  16 35.80   16 18.0   5.190   4.866    65   15.9  19:26 (128, 20)  
Oct.  6  16 38.02   14 52.1   5.219   4.814    60   15.9  19:32 (121, 16)  

* C/2006 K1 ( McNaught )

Although it had been observable only in the Southern Hemisphere for a long time, now it becomes observable also in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps 16 mag until winter. It was reported as 18 mag in August, much fainter than this ephemeris.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   3 47.81  -29 50.9   3.864   4.463   120   15.9   3:19 (180, 85)  
Oct.  6   3 44.70  -29 56.9   3.825   4.471   124   15.9   2:49 (180, 85)  

* C/2005 EL173 ( LONEOS )

It reached up to 15.5 mag in late 2006 and early 2007. Now it is fading, 16.3 mag (Sept. 7, Ken-ichi Kadota). It locates somewhat low in the south, but it is observable at 16.5 mag in autumn. It will be too low to observe in early 2008, when the comet will be fainter than 17.5 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   4  6.37  -31 18.5   3.736   4.281   116   16.2   3:38 (180, 86)  
Oct.  6   3 55.24  -32 33.5   3.699   4.306   121   16.2   2:59 (180, 87)  

* C/2006 K3 ( McNaught )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Aug. 8, Ken-ichi Kadota). Before the perihelion passage, it kept 16.5-17 mag and hardly brightened. After the perihelion passage, it seems hardly to be fading.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   3 37.41   52 33.2   2.723   3.276   115   16.2   3:09 (180,  3)  
Oct.  6   3 21.75   54 44.0   2.695   3.322   120   16.2   2:26 (180,  0)  

* C/2007 E1 ( Garradd )

It passed near by the earth in early April, and reached to 8.7 mag (Apr. 10, Werner hasubick). Then it faded down to 11.8 mag on May 26 (Seiichi Yoshida), and became too low to observe in the evening. Now it is 15.2 mag (Aug. 10, Ken-ichi Kadota), fading as expected.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   6 10.90   29 52.1   1.927   2.218    92   16.2   4:15 (200, 22)  
Oct.  6   5 52.87   30 25.4   1.838   2.291   103   16.4   4:04 (192, 23)  

* 128P/Shoemaker-Holt 1

It already locates high in the morning sky. Although LINEAR reported it as 19 mag in mid September, it must be bright as 16.5 mag actually. It tends to be brightest after the perihelion passage. It will be observable in good condition at 16 mag until winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   7  5.78   19  6.5   3.143   3.126    79   16.3   4:15 (218, 26)  
Oct.  6   7 12.28   18 45.0   3.055   3.133    85   16.3   4:04 (216, 28)  

* C/2006 W3 ( Christensen )

Now it is 17.6 mag (Aug. 30, P. Birtwhistle). It is expected to reach to 11 mag in 2009 summer. Because it moves in the northern sky, it keeps observable until it becomes brightest in the Northern Hemipshere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   6 37.23   55 11.1   6.468   6.532    89   16.4   4:15 (196, -3)  
Oct.  6   6 35.84   56  6.0   6.315   6.484    95   16.3   4:04 (193, -3)  

* 191P/2007 N1 ( McNaught )

Now it is 17.1 mag (Aug. 10, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will reach to 16 mag in October and November. Then it keeps observable in good condition until January when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   3 10.71    2 21.5   1.200   2.052   137   16.5   2:42 (180, 53)  
Oct.  6   3 10.53    1 59.2   1.163   2.056   143   16.5   2:14 (180, 53)  

* 70P/Kojima

Although it had been unobservable for a long time, now it is appearing in the morning and getting higher gradually. It must be already bright as 17 mag. It keeps observable at 16.5 mag in good condition for a long time until next April.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   9 27.33   14 55.4   2.576   2.013    45   16.8   4:15 (247,  7)  
Oct.  6   9 43.05   13 54.9   2.523   2.012    48   16.8   4:04 (247,  7)  

* C/2006 M1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Aug. 9, Ken-ichi Kadota). It is outside of Jupiter's orbit. So it keeps 17 mag for a long time until winter. It keeps locating high and observable in good condition for a long time after this because it moves in the northern sky.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   3  9.76   32 37.3   3.376   4.090   129   16.9   2:41 (180, 22)  
Oct.  6   3  6.98   31 38.0   3.329   4.121   137   16.9   2:11 (180, 23)  

* C/2005 S4 ( McNaught )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Aug. 12, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be observable at 17 mag for a long time until 2008 autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  19 13.63   16 48.5   5.557   5.873   103   16.9  19:26 (167, 37)  
Oct.  6  19 11.19   16 34.9   5.660   5.877    97   17.0  19:32 (156, 35)  

* 173P/2005 T1 ( Mueller 5 )

It will be at opposition and observable in good condition in winter. It will reach to 16 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   7 43.00   21 30.0   4.540   4.329    71   17.1   4:15 (224, 19)  
Oct.  6   7 48.15   21 31.7   4.431   4.322    77   17.1   4:04 (222, 21)  

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

It will reach to 15 mag in 2009 and 2010. In this year, it is observable at 16.5 mag in good condition in autumn and winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   5 32.83   22 23.5   3.811   4.131   101   17.2   4:15 (193, 31)  
Oct.  6   5 34.54   22 29.4   3.700   4.122   108   17.1   4:04 (189, 32)  

* 108P/Ciffreo

Appearing in the morning sky, and observed at 16.7 mag as bright as expected (July 24, E. Guido, G. Sostero). It will be getting higher after this. But it will be fading gradually and becomes fainter than 18 mag in October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   8  9.52   27 16.8   2.002   1.855    66   17.6   4:15 (225, 11)  
Oct.  6   8 25.57   27 16.0   1.964   1.880    70   17.7   4:04 (225, 11)  

* 136P/Mueller 3

Now it is 17.7 mag (Sept. 9, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be brighter than 18 mag until November.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  23 47.38  -11 10.4   1.986   2.963   164   17.6  23:15 (180, 66)  
Oct.  6  23 43.76  -11 44.1   2.013   2.962   157   17.6  22:44 (180, 67)  

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

It reached to 13.5 mag and became visible visually in 2005 and 2006. Now it has gone far away. But it is observable at 17.5 mag until November.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   2 21.90    8 11.1   3.228   4.119   149   17.6   1:54 (180, 47)  
Oct.  6   2 18.15    7 55.6   3.197   4.134   156   17.6   1:22 (180, 47)  

* P/2004 F3 ( NEAT )

It was observed bright as 14-15 mag in 2004 and 2005. Now it is close to the aphelion, but it will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition in 2007 autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   3 20.94    6 10.9   4.059   4.816   134   17.7   2:52 (180, 49)  
Oct.  6   3 18.33    5 57.2   4.001   4.827   141   17.6   2:22 (180, 49)  

* (3200) Phaethon

It keeps observable in good condition in the morning sky while it brightens rapidly. It will reach to 13 mag in early December, and will be visible visually. However, it turns to fade out and move lower very rapidly after Dec. 10, and it will be unobservable within a few days. Then it will never be observable again. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   6 43.07   32 17.2   1.573   1.808    86   18.0   4:15 (206, 17)  
Oct.  6   6 54.21   32 14.2   1.421   1.747    90   17.7   4:04 (205, 18)  

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