Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2008 Nov. 29: South)

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Updated on November 30, 2008
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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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* 85P/Boethin

It was expected to reach up to 7 mag and to be observable in good condition in winter. However, this comet has not been observed since 1986. It was not detected, fainter than 17.2 mag on Oct. 18 (Katsumi Yoshimoto), and fainter than 20 mag on Nov. 3 (Gustavo Muler). It seems much fainter than expected. The condition of this apparition is good. It keeps observable for a long time until 2009 early summer both in the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  21 39.86  -10 37.3   0.901   1.173    76    7.6  20:40 (103, 36)  
Dec.  6  22  3.48   -7 57.6   0.889   1.157    76    7.3  20:48 (104, 32)  

* C/2007 N3 ( Lulin )

Now it is 8.5 mag (Oct. 25, Marco Goiato). It is expected to reach to 4 mag in 2009 February. It is not observable now. But it will appear in the morning sky again at 7 mag in late December. Then it keeps observable in the excellent condition long time around the highlight until spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  16 10.27  -20  5.1   2.364   1.380     2    7.9   2:56 (312,-18)  
Dec.  6  16  8.94  -20  2.7   2.291   1.333    10    7.6   2:53 (307,-13)  

* C/2008 A1 ( McNaught )

It reached to 6.3 mag in September in the southern sky (Sept. 4, Marco Goiato). Now it is still bright as 8.7 mag (Nov. 22, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps locating in the evening low sky until the end of 2008 when it fades out down to 10 mag. Then it turns to appear in the morning sky, and it keeps observable in the northern sky after that while fading gradually. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  17 47.60    7 54.3   2.126   1.454    36    8.8  20:40 ( 84,-22)  
Dec.  6  18  1.25   10 58.2   2.185   1.527    37    9.0  20:48 ( 84,-28)  

* C/2006 W3 ( Christensen )

Brightening very rapidly, faster than expected. It is already so bright as 9.7 mag (Nov. 29, Maik Meyer). Strongly condensed and easy to see. It is expected to reach to 8 mag in 2009 summer. Because it moves in the northern sky, it keeps observable until it becomes brightest in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  21 58.63   57 55.1   3.385   3.766   105   10.2  20:40 (156,-11)  
Dec.  6  21 56.04   54 55.6   3.419   3.730   100   10.2  20:48 (150,-13)  

* C/2006 OF2 ( Broughton )

Now it is bright as 10.8 mag (Nov. 23, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps observable in good conditioni as bright as 11 mag until January. Then, it keeps observable, visible visually, brighter than 14 mag for a long time until 2009 May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   6 41.58   61  1.3   1.784   2.565   133   10.7   2:10 (180, -6)  
Dec.  6   6 35.81   60 35.5   1.774   2.590   137   10.8   1:37 (180, -6)  

* 6P/d'Arrest

It reached up to 8.5 mag in September (Sept. 24, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Diffuse object expanding a large coma. It is still bright as 10.6 mag (Nov. 27, Marco Goiato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it locates extremely low now. Although it will be getting higher slowly after this, it will be fading rapidly. However, it keeps observable in the evening sky until it becomes fainter than 18 mag early 2009.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   0  8.37  -26 37.5   1.299   1.790   102   11.4  20:40 (117, 74)  
Dec.  6   0 20.40  -24 29.2   1.400   1.837    99   11.9  20:48 (113, 68)  

* 144P/Kushida

It has brightened much faster than expected. It was so faint as 20 mag in early September, and it was still faint as 16.1 mag on Nov. 1 (Ken-ichi Kadota), however, it became so bright and visible visually at 12.2 mag on Nov. 16 (Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will reach up to 10-11 mag in January. Then it keeps observable in good condition and visible visually for a long time until next spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   3 19.60   19  8.1   0.609   1.583   165   12.4  22:44 (180, 36)  
Dec.  6   3 17.90   18 12.1   0.595   1.553   157   11.9  22:15 (180, 37)  

* P/2003 K2 ( Christensen )

Not recovered yet. It must be brightening very rapidly in the evening sky. However, it was not detected, fainter than 18 mag, on Nov. 22 (Maik Meyer). It is expected to reach up to 7.5 mag in January, but actually it may be much fainter than expected. It is not observable for about a month around the highlight. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps locating low in the evening sky until the highlight. But it turns to appear in the morning sky after February, then it keeps observable in good condition while fading gradually. In the Southern Hemisphere, it locates high except for January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  20  5.06  -28 25.2   1.214   0.967    50   13.2  20:40 ( 72, 26)  
Dec.  6  20 20.69  -27 26.8   1.139   0.866    47   12.3  20:48 ( 71, 21)  

* C/2007 G1 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 11.5 mag in summer (Aug. 4, Marco Goiato). It keeps bright at 12 mag for a long time until 2009 spring. However, it is not observable in the Northern Hemisphere now. It will appear in the northern sky again in 2009 autumn, but it will be fainter than 15 mag and will keep locating very low after that. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time until it fades out, although it becomes low in autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  16 32.17  -58  6.4   3.375   2.651    36   12.4  20:40 ( 24, 12)  
Dec.  6  16 45.80  -60  3.3   3.367   2.655    37   12.4   2:53 (338, 13)  

* C/2006 Q1 ( McNaught )

It reached to 10.9 mag in May (May 11, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading slowly. It has faded down to 12.0 mag on July 21 (Alexandre Amorim). Now it is appearing in the morning sky after a long blank. It keeps bright as 12-14 mag for a long time after this until 2009 summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  14 57.44    0 56.1   3.964   3.151    30   12.8   2:56 (282,-19)  
Dec.  6  15  7.65    1 33.0   3.944   3.186    34   12.8   2:53 (280,-16)  

* C/2007 Q3 ( Siding Spring )

Already bright as 13.5 mag, and visible visually (Oct. 7, Alan Hale). It is extremely low in the Northern Hemisphere now, but observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It is expected to brighten up to 10 mag from late 2009 to early 2010. Because the comet moves in the southern sky for a long time, it keeps impossible or very hard to observe in the Northern Hemisphere until 2009 September. But after 2009 October, it is observable at 10 mag for a while in good condition. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time while brightening until 2009 June when it brightens to 11 mag. But it becomes unobservable around and after the brightest time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   6  8.23  -53 49.0   3.724   4.034   101   13.2   1:36 (  0, 71)  
Dec.  6   6  2.53  -54 10.1   3.657   3.978   101   13.1   1:03 (  0, 71)  

* 19P/Borrelly

It reached up to 9.6 mag in summer (Aug. 2, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 12.5 mag (Nov. 22, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps observable and fading in the morning sky after this. It keeps brighter than 14 mag and visible visually until the end of 2008. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps extremely low, or under the horizon, so it will not be observable.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  12 38.31   26 13.7   2.029   1.963    71   13.3   2:56 (242, -5)  
Dec.  6  12 51.65   26 20.9   2.014   2.012    75   13.5   2:53 (240, -3)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

An large outburst occured on Sept. 21, and it became so bright as 11.3 mag (Juan Antonio Henriquez Santana). The total brightness reached up to 10.3 mag in October (Oct. 11, Maik Meyer). It keeps bright as 11.0 mag still now (Nov. 23, Seiichi Yoshida). Now the diameter is over 4 arcmin, looks very large and diffuse.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   8 20.10   22 57.0   5.464   6.083   124   13.6   2:56 (194, 31)  
Dec.  6   8 18.72   22 59.9   5.377   6.085   132   13.5   2:53 (187, 32)  

* C/2008 T2 ( Cardinal )

Now it is 14.5 mag, and visible visually (Oct. 26, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It locates near by Polaris until December, and observable all night. It will brighten gradually after this, and reach to 9-10 mag in 2009 June. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until May when it becomes brightest. But it will never be observable again after that. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until 2009 April. But after that, it will be observable while fading gradually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   8 48.96   88 58.7   2.463   2.975   111   14.2   2:56 (181,-34)  
Dec.  6   1 43.64   89 13.0   2.368   2.899   113   14.0  20:48 (180,-34)  

* 116P/Wild 4

Now it is 16.6 mag (Nov. 5, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will brighten rapidly after this. It will be observable at 12-13 mag for a long time from January to July in 2009. But actually, it seems to be fainter than this ephemeris.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   9 49.79   17 33.5   2.275   2.680   103   14.6   2:56 (219, 28)  
Dec.  6   9 54.72   17 17.5   2.163   2.655   109   14.4   2:53 (214, 30)  

* C/2008 J1 ( Boattini )

Diffuse comet, but it brightened up to 9.8 mag on July 7 (Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading, but still visible visually at 14.1 mag (Nov. 22, Seiichi Yoshida). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until 2009 spring when the comet becomes faint. It will move near by the Northern Pole from summer to autumn, and will be observable all night. It will be visible visually for some more time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   1 44.58   77 49.0   1.797   2.452   120   14.5  21:10 (180,-23)  
Dec.  6   1 52.43   74 14.6   1.833   2.511   123   14.8  20:51 (180,-19)  

* 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Now it is 14.6 mag (Nov. 19, Alan Hale), already visible visually. It will be brightening gradually after this, and reach to 12-13 mag in 2009 winter and spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time until 2009 May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  21 37.66  -20 18.4   1.637   1.648    73   14.7  20:40 ( 93, 40)  
Dec.  6  21 50.77  -18 42.3   1.651   1.599    69   14.6  20:48 ( 91, 35)  

* 7P/Pons-Winnecke

An outburst occured in late May and it brightened up to 14.6 mag (May 23, Gustavo Muler), but it faded down to the original brightness in late May. Then it had been reported so faint as 17 mag by CCD observations. However, it suddenly became so bright and visible visually after late August, and it reached up to 11.0 mag visually in September (Sept. 24, Juan Jose Gonzalez). However, it is fading now. It locates extremely low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  19 23.01  -32 56.9   2.045   1.465    41   14.6  20:40 ( 63, 20)  
Dec.  6  19 50.72  -32 49.2   2.109   1.508    40   14.7  20:48 ( 62, 19)  

* 205P/2008 R6 ( Giacobini )

It had been lost for 112 years sincd 1896, but re-discovered by Koichi Itagaki and Hiroshi Kaneda on Sept. 10. It should be bright temporarily in outburst now. However, it still keeps bright as 12.6 mag (Nov. 22, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps locating high in the evening sky for a while after this. It will keep visible visually for some more time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  23 23.76  -12 24.3   1.270   1.734    99   14.7  20:40 (126, 56)  
Dec.  6  23 39.07  -11 33.4   1.362   1.768    96   15.1  20:48 (121, 52)  

* C/2007 B2 ( Skiff )

It brightened up to 12.7 mag in spring (Apr. 12, Marco Goiato). However, it has already faded down to 14.9 mag (July 22, Mitsunori Tsumura). It will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable now also in the Southern Hemisphere, but it will appear again in the morning sky at 15 mag in 2009 January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  15 55.56  -37  3.9   4.069   3.136    16   14.7   2:56 (320, -3)  
Dec.  6  16  9.71  -38  6.4   4.081   3.158    17   14.7   2:53 (319,  0)  

* C/2005 L3 ( McNaught )

It had been bright and visible visually around 13 mag from spring to autumn in 2008. Now it locates extremely low, and hard to observe. But it will locate high again in winter, and will be visible visually at 14 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  15 10.96   18 46.0   6.721   6.047    43   14.8   2:56 (268,-31)  
Dec.  6  15 12.87   19  5.7   6.680   6.066    48   14.8   2:53 (265,-27)  

* C/2007 W1 ( Boattini )

It became so bright as 4.7 mag, and so large as 20 arcmin in June (June 12, Marco Goiato). Extremely diffuse, and fading very rapidly now. It was still visible visually at 13.8 mag on Nov. 1 (Seiichi Yoshida). However, it is already so faint as 18.5 mag by CCD observations (Nov. 24, C. Rinner, F. Kugel).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   0 30.63   15 39.6   1.917   2.615   125   14.9  20:40 (166, 38)  
Dec.  6   0 33.15   15 28.9   2.082   2.701   119   15.3  20:48 (157, 36)  

* 22P/Kopff

An outburst occured in 2008 February, and it brightened up to 16.0 mag (Feb. 28, Mt. Lemmon Survey) although it was predicted to be so faint as 19 mag. It had been reported brighter than predicted until early April. However, it returned to be so faint, fainter than 18 mag, after mid April. Although it has not beeb observable for a while, now it is appearing in the morning sky again. It will be bright at 9-10 mag for a long time from spring to autumn in 2009.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  14 11.75   -9 34.0   3.052   2.291    33   15.3   2:56 (284, -3)  
Dec.  6  14 25.75  -10 41.7   2.962   2.249    36   15.1   2:53 (283,  0)  

* C/2006 U6 ( Spacewatch )

It was 15 mag on Jan. 14 (Michael Mattiazzo), brightening as expected. It should have reached up to 13.5 mag in summer in the southern sky. Now it is fading. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time after this. It is finally appearing in the morning sky also in the Northern Hemisphere soon. It keeps observable while the comet will be fading slowly after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  12  6.74  -29 25.2   3.548   3.126    57   15.2   2:56 (286, 32)  
Dec.  6  12 11.46  -29 14.8   3.504   3.170    62   15.2   2:53 (283, 36)  

* 68P/Klemola

Now it is 15.6 mag (Sept. 18, Siding Spring Survey). It will be getting lower in the evening sky, and it will be unobservable in December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  18 55.16  -16 17.6   2.535   1.842    36   15.3  20:40 ( 74,  6)  
Dec.  6  19 14.05  -16 11.8   2.550   1.822    34   15.3  20:48 ( 72,  2)  

* P/2008 Q2 ( Ory )

It passed near by earth in October. It brightened more rapidly than expected, and then it continues brightening more. Now it is bright as 13.7 mag and visible visually (Nov. 24, Marco Goiato). However, it will fade out rapidly after this. It will be fainter than 18 mag in late December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   2 58.22   16 52.8   0.487   1.454   159   15.4  22:23 (180, 38)  
Dec.  6   3  2.61   17 51.1   0.529   1.479   154   15.8  22:00 (180, 37)  

* C/2007 U1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 14.2 mag and visible visually (Nov. 22, Seiichi Yoshida). But it starts fading in December, and will get lower in the evening sky in January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   0 24.90   15 36.1   2.847   3.497   124   15.6  20:40 (164, 38)  
Dec.  6   0 14.59   14 34.6   2.992   3.517   114   15.8  20:48 (151, 35)  

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

Now it is 16.6 mag (Oct. 18, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be observable at 15 mag in good condition in winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   9 44.05   19 37.2   3.270   3.655   105   15.8   2:56 (216, 27)  
Dec.  6   9 46.25   19 43.1   3.167   3.650   111   15.7   2:53 (211, 29)  

* 59P/Kearns-Kwee

Now it is 16.2 mag (Oct. 27, Gustavo Muler). It will be observable at 16 mag in good condition from autumn to winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   1 59.70   27 46.7   1.585   2.474   147   15.9  21:24 (180, 27)  
Dec.  6   1 57.99   27  9.6   1.616   2.458   140   15.9  20:55 (180, 28)  

* 65P/Gunn

Now it is 16.0 mag (Nov. 21, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will brighten up to 12-13 mag in 2010 summer. It reaches to 14.5 mag in 2009 spring, and keeps observable in good condition until 2009 summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  12  5.33   10  5.3   3.690   3.481    70   16.1   2:56 (250, 11)  
Dec.  6  12 11.67    9 40.7   3.571   3.460    75   16.0   2:53 (247, 15)  

* 61P/Shajn-Schaldach

Now it is 13.9 mag and visible visually (Nov. 1, Seiichi Yoshida). It will be fading slowly after this. But it keeps observable in good condition until February when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   3 10.32    7 16.1   1.259   2.204   157   16.0  22:35 (180, 48)  
Dec.  6   3  7.39    7 15.4   1.307   2.220   150   16.2  22:04 (180, 48)  

* 47P/Ashbrook-Jackson

Now it is 14.6 mag and visible visually (Aug. 6, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere, but it keeps observable around 15-16 mag until winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  21 35.21  -18 20.6   2.947   2.824    73   16.1  20:40 ( 94, 39)  
Dec.  6  21 43.41  -17 11.9   3.030   2.819    68   16.2  20:48 ( 91, 33)  

* C/2008 P1 ( Garradd )

Now it is 15.5 mag (Oct. 18, Yasukazu Ikari). It will be too low in the evening sky in January. In 2009, it will be observable at 15 mag in good condition for a long time from summer to autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  22 52.29  -34  3.4   4.383   4.396    84   16.1  20:40 ( 82, 61)  
Dec.  6  22 52.59  -32 25.1   4.458   4.369    78   16.1  20:48 ( 81, 53)  

* C/2008 R3 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 15.8 mag (Nov. 23, I. Almendros). It will be fading slowly after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  20 21.48   25  0.1   1.918   1.910    74   16.2  20:40 (120, -2)  
Dec.  6  20 39.61   25 45.9   1.948   1.915    73   16.3  20:48 (118, -5)  

* 207P/2008 T5 ( NEAT )

It recovered as bright as expected, 16.4 mag on Oct. 15 (Ken-ichi Kadota). It will reach up to 16 mag until November, and will be observable in good condition. It keeps observable in the morning sky until January when it will be fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  12 43.59  -12 17.1   1.232   1.006    52   16.5   2:56 (274, 16)  
Dec.  6  13  8.26  -14  3.6   1.276   1.047    53   16.7   2:53 (275, 17)  

* 51P/Harrington

It was visible visually at 14.0 mag in autumn (Sept. 7, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading, but it keeps observable in good condition until it fades out in winter. Now it is 15.0 mag (Nov. 1, Ken-ichi Kadota), still bright unexpectedly. Maybe a small outburst occured.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   4 22.15   18 42.4   1.279   2.265   177   16.6  23:46 (180, 36)  
Dec.  6   4 15.35   18 49.4   1.326   2.304   170   16.9  23:12 (180, 36)  

* P/2008 L2 ( Hill )

It brightened rapidly, and reached to the maximum after the perihelion passage. It was visible visually at 14.8 mag on Sept. 29 (Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. It will be fainter than 18 mag in January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   0 56.98    8 48.4   1.739   2.485   129   16.7  20:40 (174, 46)  
Dec.  6   1  1.02    7 43.5   1.832   2.507   122   16.9  20:48 (162, 46)  

* 204P/2008 R5 ( LINEAR-NEAT )

At the discovery in 2001, it became much brighter after the perihelion passage. In this apparition, although it was so faint as 20 mag in early September, it has already brightened rapidly up to 17.9 mag (Nov. 23, D. T. Durig, M. H. McManus). It will reach up to 16 mag in January, and will be observable in good condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   8 28.69   17 17.9   1.233   1.942   121   17.0   2:56 (198, 36)  
Dec.  6   8 34.01   17 29.6   1.175   1.940   127   16.8   2:53 (192, 37)  

* P/2008 QP20 ( LINEAR-Hill )

Now it is 16.4 mag (Nov. 2, L. Montoro). It brightened rapidly and became brighter than expected. However, it will start fading after December, and will be fainter than 18 mag in January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   1 34.64   26 59.1   0.854   1.740   141   16.9  21:00 (180, 28)  
Dec.  6   1 39.16   26 38.7   0.900   1.751   136   17.0  20:48 (177, 28)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Sept. 9, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will brighten up to 12 mag in 2012. It is faint still in 2008, but observable at 17 mag in good condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  22 37.42    3 11.1   9.918  10.053    95   17.0  20:40 (128, 37)  
Dec.  6  22 36.65    2 59.7  10.005  10.016    87   17.0  20:48 (120, 31)  

* 77P/Longmore

Now it is 17.6 mag (Nov. 23, Catalina Sky Survey). It will be observable at 15 mag in good condition in 2009 spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  11 57.49   19 17.5   2.779   2.718    76   17.4   2:56 (241,  6)  
Dec.  6  12  5.66   18 29.6   2.671   2.696    80   17.2   2:53 (239, 10)  

* 2001 TX16

Peculiar asteroid moving along a cometary orbit. It will be observable around 17 mag in good condition for a long time until May. It will fade out very rapidly after May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  12 12.56    6 41.9   1.551   1.478    67   17.4   2:56 (253, 11)  
Dec.  6  12 31.16    5  5.4   1.528   1.495    69   17.4   2:53 (254, 14)  

* 44P/Reinmuth 2

It was observed at 16.5-17 mag in 2007 autumn. Now it is 17.3 mag (July 2, J. F. Hernandez). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag at the end of 2008.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   4 42.97   27 30.1   1.943   2.924   172   17.4   0:12 (180, 27)  
Dec.  6   4 36.37   27  6.0   1.971   2.953   174   17.5  23:33 (180, 28)  

* 200P/2008 L1 ( Larsen )

Although it was extremely faint as 20 mag in June, it brightened much faster than expected and reached up to 17.1 mag (Oct. 30, P. C. Sherrod). However, it will fade out rapidly after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   0 38.07   11 50.8   2.636   3.314   126   17.5  20:40 (168, 42)  
Dec.  6   0 39.60   11 26.3   2.725   3.320   119   17.6  20:48 (157, 41)  

* 188P/2007 J7 ( LINEAR-Mueller )

It was observed as bright as 14-15 mag in 2007 autumn. Now it is 17.8 mag (Oct. 26, Catalina Sky Survey). It keeps observable in good condition for a while. It will be fainter than 18 mag in Feburary.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   8 25.77   32  5.9   2.738   3.402   125   17.5   2:56 (193, 22)  
Dec.  6   8 24.16   32 26.8   2.687   3.428   132   17.5   2:53 (187, 22)  

* (3200) Phaethon

Origin of Geminids meteor shower. It is observable in good condition at 17.5 mag from November to December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   2 24.52   35  8.7   1.411   2.324   151   17.6  21:48 (180, 20)  
Dec.  6   2 10.21   33  3.7   1.438   2.304   143   17.7  21:07 (180, 22)  

* C/2008 N1 ( Holmes )

Now it is 18.1 mag (Nov. 23, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will brighten up to 15 mag in 2009 and 2010.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  21 16.59   14  8.1   4.116   4.076    80   17.7  20:40 (120, 15)  
Dec.  6  21 15.47   14  0.8   4.182   4.029    74   17.7  20:48 (114,  9)  

* P/2008 T4 ( Hill )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Nov. 5, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be fainter than 18 mag in late December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   1 25.49    7 54.8   1.716   2.518   135   17.7  20:50 (180, 47)  
Dec.  6   1 25.49    8 17.9   1.778   2.515   128   17.8  20:48 (171, 46)  

* C/2006 K1 ( McNaught )

It reached up to 16 mag last winter. Now it is 17.7 mag (Nov. 19, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be fainter than 18 mag in late December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   4 39.46   19 12.5   4.952   5.936   175   17.7   0:08 (180, 36)  
Dec.  6   4 34.93   19 37.6   4.988   5.971   175   17.8  23:32 (180, 35)  

* P/1999 XN120 ( Catalina )

Now it should be brightest. But it has not been recovered yet. It was observed only around the perihelion at the discovery in 1999. If it was bright temporarily in outburst, it can be much fainter than this ephemeris in this apparition. Josef Mueller reported it was 19.2 mag on Dec. 16, 2007, but it was not confirmed.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   6 40.84   24 55.7   2.429   3.305   147   17.8   2:09 (180, 30)  
Dec.  6   6 37.00   24 52.4   2.383   3.306   155   17.8   1:38 (180, 30)  

* 201P/2008 Q4 ( LONEOS )

It was bright as 16.5 mag on Aug. 31 (Michael Jager). But it has alraedy faded down to 17.5 mag (Oct. 5, C. Rinner, F. Kugel). It will be fainter than 18 mag in December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  11 21.05   12 16.6   1.734   1.854    80   17.9   2:56 (240, 18)  
Dec.  6  11 30.02   11 36.6   1.704   1.902    85   18.0   2:53 (238, 21)  

* 33P/Daniel

Now it is 17.5-18.0 mag (Nov. 9, Michael Jager). It keeps observable at 18 mag in good condition until February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  11  6.74   30 10.2   2.164   2.399    91   17.9   2:56 (225,  7)  
Dec.  6  11 16.21   30 36.6   2.109   2.422    96   17.9   2:53 (222,  9)  

* 17P/Holmes

Great outburst occured in 2007 October, and it bacame a naked eye comet of 2 mag. It kept so bright as 5.5 mag still in 2008 spring (Apr. 30, Carlos Labordena), but it was extremely faint and difficult to see. The size was so large, the diameter was larger than 60 arcmin. It will become observable in good condition in this autumn and winter again. The extremely faint large diffuse glow may be detected with a best sky condition, around 5-6 mag with a diameter of 1 or 2 degrees. Mitsunori Tsumura detected a possible glow of Comet Holmes on Nov. 4. Current brightness of the central core is 17.8 mag (Oct. 31, Ken-ichi Kadota), much brighter than pre-outburst brightness still now.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29   9 21.68   25 24.8   3.581   4.052   111   18.4   2:56 (208, 24)  
Dec.  6   9 20.86   25 29.3   3.506   4.075   118   18.4   2:53 (202, 26)  

* C/2007 K3 ( Siding Spring )

It was predicted to be so bright as 14 mag from spring to summer in 2008. But actually, it was extremely faint as 19.5 mag (Aug. 4, Gustavo Muler). Although it locates in good condition, it will be hard to observe.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  22 33.54    9 53.7   2.994   3.257    96   21.5  20:40 (132, 31)  
Dec.  6  22 40.14    9 54.5   3.143   3.315    91   21.6  20:48 (126, 27)  

* 173P/2005 T1 ( Mueller 5 )

It was observed bright at 16.5-17 mag from late 2006 to early 2007. However, it is fading after that, although it is getting closer to the sun. It was so faint as 19.4 mag around the perihelion passage in 2008 spring (Mar. 10, Mitsunori Tsumura). This comet was observed so faint around the perihelion passage in the previous apparition at the discovery. It faded out before the perihelion passage again in this apparition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 29  11 34.39   17  7.3   4.354   4.295    80   21.5   2:56 (239, 12)  
Dec.  6  11 39.03   17  8.8   4.256   4.301    85   21.6   2:53 (236, 15)  

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Copyright(C) Seiichi Yoshida (comet@aerith.net). All rights reserved.