Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2009 Sept. 5: North)

Japanese version Home page	Updated on September 13, 2009
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Northern Hemisphere. Azimuth indicates 0 for south, 90 for west, 180 for north, 270 for east.

C/2006 W3 ( Christensen ) Now it is so bright as 8.2 mag (Aug. 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be observable at 8-10 mag in good condition for a long time until late autumn. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 19 42.80 11 53.5 2.452 3.181 128 8.2 20:43 ( 0, 67) Sept.12 19 33.21 8 29.3 2.545 3.194 121 8.4 20:06 ( 0, 63) 88P/Howell Now it is so bright as 9.8 mag (Aug. 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It keeps observable for a long time until 2010 February. It will keep 9 mag until the end of 2009. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps very low after this. It locates a bit higher in the Southern Hemisphere. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 14 49.39 -18 13.5 1.564 1.424 62 9.6 19:48 ( 56, 13) Sept.12 15 9.98 -19 55.3 1.575 1.404 61 9.3 19:37 ( 55, 12) C/2007 Q3 ( Siding Spring ) It brightened up to 9.8 mag on June 13 (Marco Goiato). Now it is not observable. But it keeps as bright as 10-11 mag for a long time untio 2010 spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky in early October, then it keeps observable at 10 mag in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will locate extremely low only after this. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 9 59.24 4 44.8 3.246 2.282 14 9.7 4:08 (258, -8) Sept.12 10 12.50 5 23.7 3.214 2.270 16 9.6 4:14 (261, -4) 22P/Kopff It brightened up to 8.8 mag in May and June (May 19, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is still bright as 10.4 mag (Aug. 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be bright at 9-10 mag for a long time until autumn. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 22 44.65 -14 54.8 0.868 1.871 171 10.7 23:45 ( 0, 40) Sept.12 22 41.08 -15 27.0 0.916 1.907 165 11.0 23:14 ( 0, 40) C/2008 Q3 ( Garradd ) It brightened up to 6.7 mag in June (June 9, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading, but still bright as 9.5 mag (Aug. 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). However, it will be unobservable soon. It will appear in the morning sky again at 13 mag in November. It may be visible visually again. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 12 51.34 4 12.8 2.850 2.028 29 10.7 19:48 ( 93, 3) Sept.12 12 55.21 5 4.5 2.952 2.070 23 11.1 19:37 ( 95, 1) C/2008 T2 ( Cardinal ) It brightened up to 8.5 mag in May and June (May 26, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading, but still bright as 10.7 mag (Aug. 22, Marco Goiato). It will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time after this in the evening sky. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 12 0.29 -47 14.8 2.095 1.745 56 10.7 19:48 ( 51,-32) Sept.12 12 31.62 -49 46.0 2.174 1.818 56 11.1 19:37 ( 48,-30) 217P/2009 F3 ( LINEAR ) It is already so bright as 10.1 mag (Aug. 19, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be observable at 10-11 mag in a good condition for a long time from summer to winter. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 4 26.93 -3 32.4 0.577 1.225 97 10.9 4:08 (329, 47) Sept.12 4 52.00 -3 49.6 0.581 1.225 97 10.8 4:14 (332, 48) C/2009 F6 ( Yi-SWAN ) It was bright as 8-9 mag in April and May. Although it had been unobservable for a while, now it is appearing in the morning sky. It should be bright as 12 mag still now. It will be fading slowly in the low sky after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time. H. Sato reported that only a faint doubtful diffuse something was found on the CCD images on Aug. 31. So the comet can be extremely faint now. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 7 55.89 -2 9.0 2.728 2.148 45 12.0 4:08 (282, 13) Sept.12 8 0.61 -5 10.4 2.718 2.223 50 12.1 4:14 (289, 17) 24P/Schaumasse It must have reached up to 11 mag in summer. However, the condition of this apparition is worst. We can not observe it at all. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 11 5.01 12 53.9 2.258 1.262 6 12.3 19:48 (115,-12) Sept.12 11 29.39 10 28.5 2.284 1.289 6 12.8 19:37 (112,-12) 116P/Wild 4 It brightened up to 11 mag in spring and summer. Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky at 15 mag in early 2010. But it locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 13 1.13 -7 3.8 2.959 2.202 34 13.3 19:48 ( 82, -1) Sept.12 13 14.93 -8 34.9 3.007 2.210 31 13.4 19:37 ( 81, -2) C/2009 G1 ( STEREO ) It has been observed bright as 8-9 mag from April to June. Now it is fading. It was still bright as 11.0 mag in July (July 12, Marco Goiato). However, no observations have been reported since August. So it may have faded out rapidly. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in a good condition for a long time. 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. 5 10 15.40 -50 33.2 2.743 2.370 58 13.4 4:08 (311,-37) Sept.12 10 23.64 -50 45.6 2.860 2.450 56 13.7 4:14 (312,-33) 222P/2009 MB9 ( LINEAR ) First return of a new bright periodic comet. It was observed as an asteroid in June. Now it is so bright as 12.3 mag (Aug. 31, Juan Jose Gonzalez). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in a good condition after this. However, it will fade out rapidly, and will be fainter than 18 mag in October. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 8 9.56 18 37.6 0.351 0.783 41 13.6 4:08 (262, 21) Sept.12 8 8.41 21 8.5 0.419 0.801 49 14.2 4:14 (264, 30) 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 Appearing in the morning sky now,. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 9 14.90 16 2.5 7.047 6.158 26 14.2 4:08 (255, 7) Sept.12 9 19.69 15 36.6 6.993 6.160 31 14.1 4:14 (260, 13) 81P/Wild 2 Now it is 15.9 mag (Aug. 29, H. Sato). It will be getting higher after this. It will be observable bright as 9-10 mag in a good condition for a long time from winter to spring. It keeps observable until 2010 autumn when it fades down to 16 mag. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 7 52.38 19 17.8 2.833 2.253 46 14.5 4:08 (263, 25) Sept.12 8 7.12 18 38.5 2.733 2.213 49 14.3 4:14 (267, 29) C/2007 N3 ( Lulin ) It passed near by the earth in late February, and it reached up to 4.9 mag (Feb. 23, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It had been unobservable for a while, but it is appearing in the morning sky again. it is still bright as 13.7 mag and visible visually (Aug. 28, Jakub Cerny). In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable at 15 mag in good condition from autumn to winter. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 7 19.99 20 52.9 3.910 3.413 53 14.3 4:08 (266, 33) Sept.12 7 19.48 20 50.7 3.867 3.487 60 14.4 4:14 (271, 40) 65P/Gunn Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky again in 2010 February. It will brighten up to 12-13 mag in 2010 summer. But it locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 13 27.17 -4 19.6 3.368 2.669 39 14.6 19:48 ( 80, 6) Sept.12 13 37.54 -5 39.0 3.405 2.653 35 14.5 19:37 ( 80, 4) C/2007 G1 ( LINEAR ) It brightened up to 11.5 mag in last summer (Aug. 4, Marco Goiato). Now it is 15.9 mag (Aug. 12, H. Sato). It keeps observable in good condition for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be observable again also in the Northern Hemisphere after September. It will keep 15-16 mag until next spring. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 6 38.58 -38 19.4 4.123 3.977 74 14.6 4:08 (321, 1) Sept.12 6 39.66 -38 49.4 4.123 4.026 77 14.6 4:14 (326, 5) C/2006 OF2 ( Broughton ) It brightened up to 9.8 mag in winter (Dec. 28, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It faded down to 12.5 mag in May (May 26, Juan Jose Gonzalez), and became unobservable. It is appearing in the morning sky again. It will be observable in good condition again in winter at 15 mag. Then it may be still visible visually. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 9 39.62 14 16.5 5.321 4.387 19 14.7 4:08 (253, 1) Sept.12 9 45.74 13 24.9 5.333 4.442 25 14.7 4:14 (258, 6) 64P/Swift-Gehrels Appearing in the morning sky. Now it is 12.8 mag and visible visually (July 25, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be getting higher gradually while fading slowly after this. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 8 5.61 23 23.0 2.264 1.689 43 14.7 4:08 (258, 25) Sept.12 8 22.42 22 11.8 2.265 1.735 46 14.9 4:14 (261, 28) (3552) Don Quixote Now it is 15.2 mag (Aug. 3, H. Sato). It passes the perihelion in September, and now it is brightest. It keeps observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It is not observable now in the Northern Hemisphere. But it will appear in the evening sky at the end of September, and then it will be getting higher while fading. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 15 31.21 -55 38.3 0.779 1.210 84 14.9 19:48 ( 25, -9) Sept.12 16 24.75 -53 36.2 0.759 1.210 85 14.8 19:37 ( 22, -5) C/2008 P1 ( Garradd ) Now it is 14.5 mag (July 30, H. Sato). It keeps observable in good condition at 15 mag until late autumn. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 0 16.17 26 47.5 3.080 3.915 141 14.9 1:21 ( 0, 82) Sept.12 0 7.77 27 52.7 3.047 3.922 145 14.9 0:45 ( 0, 83) C/2008 N1 ( Holmes ) Now it is 15.3 mag (Aug. 22, H. Sato). It keeps 15 mag until 2010, and will be observable for a long time in good condition. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 15 42.73 41 42.6 2.935 2.792 71 15.3 19:48 (114, 54) Sept.12 15 37.44 39 3.9 3.014 2.788 67 15.3 19:37 (111, 49) C/2009 O4 ( Hill ) Now it is 14.9 mag (Aug. 26, H. Sato). It keeps 15 mag until winter. It keeps observable in a good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it will be getting lower gradually, and it is only observable until late autumn. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 0 6.87 -9 50.8 1.880 2.856 162 15.4 1:12 ( 0, 45) Sept.12 23 57.61 -14 15.9 1.836 2.824 166 15.3 0:35 ( 0, 41) 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4 Now it is 15.7 mag (Aug. 31, Michael Jager). It will brighten rapidly after this. It will reach to 12 mag and become visible visually in winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time after this until 2010 spring when it fades out. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 4 57.04 13 29.8 1.983 2.193 87 15.8 4:08 (303, 57) Sept.12 5 8.21 13 18.4 1.889 2.171 91 15.6 4:14 (311, 60) C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS ) Now it is 16.2 mag (Aug. 13, Ken-ichi Kadota), brightening as expected. It will reach up to 12 mag in 2012, and will be observable visually at 12-13 mag for a long time from 2011 to 2013. In 2009, it is observable in good condition at 16 mag from summer to autumn. In the Northern Hemisphere, the comet will be low around its brightest seasons. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 22 13.64 3 52.9 7.584 8.562 165 15.7 23:14 ( 0, 59) Sept.12 22 9.03 3 26.3 7.569 8.525 160 15.7 22:42 ( 0, 58) C/2005 L3 ( McNaught ) It brightened up to 13 mag from 2007 to 2009, and it was observed visually for a long time. It will fade out gradually after this. But it keeps 16 mag until 2010 spring, and 17 mag until 2010 autumn. Although it becomes low in autumn temporarily, it keeps observable in good condition from winter to summer. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 13 6.74 31 30.6 7.777 7.027 39 15.8 19:48 (114, 21) Sept.12 13 8.16 31 8.0 7.834 7.056 36 15.8 19:37 (116, 18) C/2006 Q1 ( McNaught ) It reached to 10.9 mag in 2008 spring (May 11, Marco Goiato). It is fading slowly, but still bright as 15.0 mag (Aug. 20, H. Sato). Although it becomes low in winter temporarily, it keeps observable for a long time until 2010 spring when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 16 15.47 30 55.0 5.087 4.976 77 15.9 19:48 ( 93, 58) Sept.12 16 19.58 30 10.8 5.197 5.027 74 16.0 19:37 ( 94, 55) P/2003 A1 ( LINEAR ) Appearing in the morning sky. It has not been recovered yet. But it must have already brightened up to 16 mag. It will be getting higher rapidly after this, and will be observable in good condition at 16 mag in autumn. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 6 15.86 33 34.6 2.164 2.041 69 16.2 4:08 (258, 51) Sept.12 6 29.03 35 43.1 2.106 2.062 73 16.1 4:14 (256, 55) P/2009 K1 ( Gibbs ) It has already passed the perihelion in late June. But unexpectedly, it keeps unusual brightening very rapidly after that. Now it became bright as 15.0 mag (July 30, D. Chestnov). It keeps observable in the evening low sky for a while after this. But it may fade out very rapidly. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 14 34.12 -10 7.3 1.861 1.562 57 16.4 19:48 ( 65, 15) Sept.12 14 55.81 -11 48.5 1.935 1.605 55 16.8 19:37 ( 63, 15) P/2009 L2 ( Yang-Gao ) It reached up to 12.6 mag and became visible visually in June and July (June 25, Katsumi Yoshimoto). However, it is fading rapidly after August. It has already faded down to 16.8 mag (Aug. 16, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be fainter than 18 mag in October. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 19 10.84 2 44.0 1.001 1.767 123 16.5 20:13 ( 0, 58) Sept.12 19 19.82 2 11.9 1.095 1.817 119 16.8 19:54 ( 0, 57) P/2009 Q5 ( McNaught ) Now it is brightest, and it will be fading after October. It keeps observable until January when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 1 29.43 -18 49.3 2.076 2.927 140 16.8 2:34 ( 0, 36) Sept.12 1 29.23 -21 2.1 2.048 2.927 144 16.7 2:06 ( 0, 34) 47P/Ashbrook-Jackson It brightened up to 15-16 mag in 2008 summer. Now it is 17.8 mag (Aug. 26, Katsumi Yoshimoto). It keeps observable at 17 mag in good condition for a long time until winter. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 3 51.17 31 4.9 2.715 3.055 99 17.0 4:08 (288, 79) Sept.12 3 54.23 31 51.5 2.640 3.070 105 17.0 4:14 (312, 85) (3200) Phaethon It passed the perihelion in June, but it was not observable, too close to the sun. Although it was predicted to be 13.5 mag, the STEREO spacecraft revealed that it brightened up to 10-11 mag, much brighter than expected. Now it is 16.4 mag (Aug. 23, C00). It keeps observable at 16-17 mag until late autumn. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 4 22.77 47 59.6 1.128 1.516 90 17.1 4:08 (223, 70) Sept.12 4 10.68 49 17.1 1.101 1.592 97 17.1 4:14 (201, 74) C/2007 U1 ( LINEAR ) It reached up to 14 mag in 2008 autumn. It is still bright as 16.0 mag (July 30, H. Sato). It keeps observable around 17 mag in a good condition for a while. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 22 12.82 16 49.8 3.956 4.883 154 17.5 23:13 ( 0, 72) Sept.12 22 2.88 15 47.8 4.013 4.926 152 17.6 22:35 ( 0, 71) 107P/(4015) Wilson-Harrington Now it is 16.7 mag (Aug. 14, Katsumi Yoshimoto). The condition is good in this apparition. It will approach to the earth down to 0.38 A.U., and will be observable in good condition at 16.5 mag in November. It keeps observable until that time after this. But it locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 16 32.26 -18 49.0 0.657 1.172 86 17.6 19:48 ( 36, 28) Sept.12 16 46.20 -18 52.3 0.638 1.127 83 17.5 19:37 ( 36, 27) P/2009 Q4 ( Boattini ) Now it is 17.7 mag (Sept. 5, H. Sato). It will reach up to 15.5 mag. It keeps observable in good condition all through the time until next spring when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 4 55.44 8 24.2 1.204 1.556 88 17.8 4:08 (310, 53) Sept.12 5 16.86 8 18.9 1.132 1.518 90 17.6 4:14 (314, 55) C/2008 S3 ( Boattini ) It keeps observable at 17 mag for a long time from 2010 to 2012. Now it is 18.5 mag (Aug. 25, W. Hasubick), a bit fainter than this ephemeris. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 3 42.30 20 43.3 8.591 8.895 104 17.7 4:08 (327, 73) Sept.12 3 39.71 20 42.4 8.455 8.877 111 17.6 4:14 (358, 76) C/2007 VO53 ( Spacewatch ) Now it is 17.3 mag (Aug. 23, Ken-ichi Kadota). It keeps observable at 17-18 mag for a long time until 2011. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 4 34.22 68 32.5 5.155 5.174 85 17.7 4:08 (194, 54) Sept.12 4 33.52 70 19.6 5.058 5.156 89 17.6 4:14 (188, 54) 30P/Reinmuth 1 Now it is 18.6 mag (Aug. 25, W. Hasubick). It will brighten rapidly after this, and will be observable at 15 mag in good condition in winter and spring. It may be visible visually. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 4 52.01 14 18.7 2.468 2.651 89 18.0 4:08 (304, 58) Sept.12 4 59.85 14 18.6 2.347 2.616 93 17.8 4:14 (313, 62) C/2009 K2 ( Catalina ) Now it is 17.5 mag (Aug. 14, Michael Jager). It will be getting lower in the evening sky after this. But it will be observable at 17 mag from spring to summer in 2010. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 16 17.77 36 14.6 3.627 3.564 78 17.8 19:48 (103, 60) Sept.12 16 23.91 33 51.8 3.645 3.538 75 17.8 19:37 ( 99, 57) 203P/2008 R4 ( Korlevic ) Now it is 17.7 mag (Aug. 31, D. Cardenosa and R. Lozano). This comet tends to brighten after the perihelion passage. It will reach up to 16-17 mag in 2010 and 2011. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 4 43.06 24 52.2 3.135 3.291 89 18.0 4:08 (289, 66) Sept.12 4 48.48 25 4.0 3.030 3.282 95 17.9 4:14 (298, 72) C/2009 O2 ( Catalina ) It is expected to brighten up to 9 mag in 2010 spring. It will be too low to observe in December at 16 mag. It keeps observable in the evening sky until that time. Date(TT) R.A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. m1 Best Time(A, h) Sept. 5 19 34.80 -10 39.1 2.472 3.218 130 18.0 20:35 ( 0, 44) Sept.12 19 24.50 -10 26.1 2.491 3.134 121 17.9 19:58 ( 0, 45)