Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2009 Dec. 19: North)

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 Updated on January 1, 2010
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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.

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* C/2007 Q3 ( Siding Spring )

Now it is so bright as 9.9 mag (Dec. 12, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It keeps as bright as 9-10 mag for a long time until 2010 spring. It will be observable in good condition for a long time after this in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps visible visually for one year until 2010 autumn. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  13 22.71   21 35.2   2.393   2.399    78    9.3   5:32 (289, 60)  
Dec. 26  13 36.13   23 53.2   2.340   2.428    83    9.3   5:35 (290, 65)

* 88P/Howell

It reached up to 8.4 mag in October (Oct. 20, Marco Goiato). It is bright as 8.9 mag still now (Dec. 6, Alexandre Amorim). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in the low sky until February when it fades down to 13.5 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  21  6.73  -19 54.5   2.054   1.547    46   10.2  18:21 ( 46, 20)  
Dec. 26  21 29.03  -18  8.1   2.122   1.582    44   10.5  18:25 ( 49, 20)

* C/2006 W3 ( Christensen )

It reached up to 7.7 mag in summer (Aug. 13, Chris Wyatt). It is fading now, but still bright as 9.4 mag (Dec. 4, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be unobservable soon. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky in late February, then it keeps observable for a long time. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it is only observable in the low sky in 2010 spring, then it will never be observable again. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  19 30.21  -16 41.1   4.375   3.508    25   10.2  18:21 ( 65,  5)  
Dec. 26  19 34.38  -17 27.9   4.456   3.539    18   10.3  18:25 ( 69,  0)

* 169P/NEAT

Although CCD observers reported it as faint as 14-15 mag, it looks bright visually as 11.6 mag (Dec. 7, Chris Wyatt). Juan Jose Gonzalez reported it was significantly bright as 9.2 mag on Nov. 18. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable all through this apparition, although it becomes low in November and December. Especially, it will be observable in the excellent condition after January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable now. But it will appear in the morning sky at 14 mag in late January, then it keeps observable while fading gradually. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  19  1.02  -46 54.6   0.337   0.704    27   10.4  18:21 ( 44,-18)  
Dec. 26  18 26.68  -57 21.3   0.269   0.775    34   10.7  18:25 ( 38,-32)

* 81P/Wild 2

It has already brightened up to 10.3 mag (Dec. 12, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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)  
Dec. 19  11 41.70    2 17.5   1.379   1.724    92   11.0   5:32 (351, 57)  
Dec. 26  11 57.20    0 55.5   1.300   1.700    95   10.8   5:35 (358, 56)

* 217P/2009 F3 ( LINEAR )

An outburst occured on Oct. 13, and it reached up to 8.5 mag on Oct. 15 (Toru Yusa). The central nucleus shined like a bright star, and the dust coma looked like 17P/Holmes in outburst. However, the comet returned to the normal state within a few days. Now it is 11.7 mag (Dec. 12, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will fade out rapidly, and will be fainter than 14 mag in late January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition 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)  
Dec. 19   5 49.86    5  4.3   0.778   1.740   161   11.8   0:01 (  0, 60)  
Dec. 26   5 43.00    7  1.7   0.835   1.796   161   12.2  23:22 (  0, 62)

* 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4

Now it is 12.7 mag (Dec. 16, Marco Goiato). It is a bit fainter than expected. 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)  
Dec. 19   5 57.14    8 26.9   1.021   1.987   164   11.9   0:08 (  0, 63)  
Dec. 26   5 52.47    8 51.3   1.020   1.985   164   11.9  23:31 (  0, 64)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Outbursts occured repeatedly since September, and it keeps visible visually. It is bright as 12.0 mag still now (Dec. 12, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   9 53.55   11 38.5   5.624   6.182   120   13.7   4:04 (  0, 67)  
Dec. 26   9 52.52   11 37.7   5.530   6.183   127   13.6   3:35 (  0, 67)

* P/2009 Q4 ( Boattini )

It has brightened much faster than expected. Now it is so bright as 11.8 mag (Dec. 12, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be fading after January. It keeps observable in good condition for a long time. But it may fade out very rapidly. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  10  7.22    4  9.5   0.617   1.361   114   13.8   4:17 (  0, 59)  
Dec. 26  10 19.06    5  8.8   0.602   1.382   119   14.0   4:01 (  0, 60)

* C/2009 K5 ( McNaught )

It is expected to reach up to 10 mag and to be observable in good condition in 2010 spring. Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky at 13 mag in late January. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  17 24.86  -30  5.7   3.269   2.300     8   14.2   5:32 (295,-17)  
Dec. 26  17 33.60  -28 37.8   3.187   2.231    11   14.0   5:35 (296,-12)

* 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)  
Dec. 19  16 34.70  -21 21.0   3.407   2.482    16   14.2   5:32 (294, -3)  
Dec. 26  16 49.10  -22  3.7   3.371   2.475    20   14.2   5:35 (297,  0)

* 116P/Wild 4

It brightened up to 11 mag in spring and summer in 2009. 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)  
Dec. 19  16 40.43  -24  1.9   3.356   2.421    15   14.4   5:32 (296, -6)  
Dec. 26  16 55.22  -24 32.1   3.351   2.442    19   14.4   5:35 (298, -3)

* 126P/IRAS

Now it is 15.6 mag (Dec. 6, A. Maury, J. B. de Vanssay, F. Mallia, F. Kugel). It will be 14 mag from winter to spring in 2010. But the condition is bad. Now it is not observable in the Northern Hemisphere. But in the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until mid January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky at 15 mag in late May in 2010, then it keeps observable while fading gradually after that. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  20 59.71  -37 55.7   2.445   1.856    43   14.5  18:21 ( 36,  5)  
Dec. 26  21 16.35  -34 42.1   2.466   1.828    40   14.4  18:25 ( 41,  5)

* C/2008 T2 ( Cardinal )

It brightened up to 8.5 mag in May and June (May 26, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. It was still bright as 11.6 mag in October (Oct. 10, Marco Goiato). However, it is already too faint to see visually. It will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be low temporarily in winter, but it keeps observable until when it fades out. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  18 39.10  -50  8.3   3.718   2.893    28   14.8  18:21 ( 44,-22)  
Dec. 26  18 54.63  -49 17.0   3.813   2.969    26   15.1  18:25 ( 46,-24)

* C/2008 Q3 ( Garradd )

It brightened up to 6.7 mag in June (June 9, Marco Goiato). Now it is 13.6 mag (Nov. 23, Ken-ichi Kadota), a bit brighter than this ephemeris. It must be visible visually still now. It will be fading after this, and keeps observable until next spring when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  13 42.17   22  3.1   2.921   2.830    74   14.9   5:32 (284, 57)  
Dec. 26  13 42.10   24 30.2   2.854   2.891    82   15.1   5:35 (287, 64)

* 30P/Reinmuth 1

Now it is 14.3 mag, already visible visually (Dec. 9, Alan Hale). It will be observable at 15 mag in good condition in winter and spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   5  6.97   13 39.8   1.189   2.158   166   15.2  23:13 (  0, 69)  
Dec. 26   5  1.15   14  6.1   1.181   2.130   159   15.1  22:40 (  0, 69)

* P/2009 T2 ( La Sagra )

New periodic comet, brightened very rapidly. Now it is 14.8 mag and visible visually (Dec. 4, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is observable at 15 mag in good condition in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   1 58.62   -5 18.9   1.096   1.777   117   15.2  20:06 (  0, 50)  
Dec. 26   2  6.91   -6 30.3   1.147   1.767   111   15.2  19:47 (  0, 48)

* P/2005 JQ5 ( Catalina )

It will pass the perihelion in late December. It will brighten very rapidly near by the perihelion. However, the condition is very bad in this apparition. Extremely hard to recover. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  18 56.98  -24  0.2   1.739   0.837    15   15.4  18:21 ( 64, -5)  
Dec. 26  19 36.62  -23 17.9   1.702   0.824    17   15.2  18:25 ( 63, -3)

* C/2006 OF2 ( Broughton )

It brightned up to 10 mag from late 2008 to early 2009. Now it is fading. But it is still bright as 15.3 mag (Nov. 2, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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)  
Dec. 19  10 26.82    4 14.8   4.785   5.206   110   15.2   4:37 (  0, 59)  
Dec. 26  10 25.51    3 55.8   4.735   5.261   117   15.3   4:08 (  0, 59)

* C/2007 N3 ( Lulin )

It passed near by the earth in late February in 2009, and it reached up to 4.9 mag (Feb. 23, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading, but still bright as 15.5 mag (Nov. 14, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be low in the evening sky at 17-18 mag in 2010 spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   5 32.44   21 16.9   3.501   4.483   175   15.4  23:38 (  0, 76)  
Dec. 26   5 21.34   21  8.9   3.589   4.551   166   15.5  23:00 (  0, 76)

* C/2007 G1 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 11.5 mag in 2008 summer (Aug. 4, Marco Goiato). Now it is 15.6 mag (Oct. 31, Hidetaka Sato). It keeps observable in good condition for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere. Now it became observable again also in the Northern Hemisphere. It will keep 15-16 mag until next spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   5 16.67  -40 22.6   4.230   4.742   115   15.4  23:22 (  0, 15)  
Dec. 26   5  8.33  -39 14.6   4.291   4.794   115   15.5  22:47 (  0, 16)

* 22P/Kopff

It brightened up to 8.8 mag in May and June (May 19, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It has already faded down to 15.3 mag (Dec. 10, Toru Yusa). It keeps observable in the evening sky for a long 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)  
Dec. 19  23 37.22   -7 39.0   2.360   2.472    84   15.4  18:21 ( 13, 47)  
Dec. 26  23 45.96   -6 33.7   2.490   2.514    80   15.7  18:25 ( 21, 46)

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

Now it is 16.4 mag (Nov. 3, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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)  
Dec. 19  21 37.93   -1 20.2   8.462   8.016    60   15.7  18:21 ( 54, 39)  
Dec. 26  21 38.54   -1 24.6   8.530   7.980    53   15.7  18:25 ( 60, 33)

* C/2008 N1 ( Holmes )

Getting higher again in the morning sky. It will be observable at 15-16 mag in good condition from winter to spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  15 43.73   20 44.7   3.391   2.914    53   15.8   5:32 (266, 31)  
Dec. 26  15 44.22   20 39.0   3.339   2.936    57   15.8   5:35 (270, 38)

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

It was observed as 15-16 mag in early 2009. In 2010, it will be observable at 15.5 mag in good condition from winter to spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  13 26.98   -2 52.5   3.877   3.592    66   16.0   5:32 (316, 42)  
Dec. 26  13 33.19   -3 22.5   3.784   3.595    71   16.0   5:35 (323, 45)

* 43P/Wolf-Harrington

Now it is 16.6 mag (Dec. 8, C. Rinner, F. Kugel). The condition of this apparition is bad. It will reach up to 11-12 mag from spring to autumn in 2010, but it is not observable. It will be getting brighter gradually in the evening sky, but it will be too low to observe in January at 15 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  21 19.64   -1 19.3   2.795   2.388    55   16.2  18:21 ( 58, 36)  
Dec. 26  21 30.17   -0 52.6   2.819   2.340    51   16.0  18:25 ( 62, 32)

* C/2009 U3 ( Hill )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Nov. 15, Catalina Sky Survey). It will be observable at 15.5 mag in the evening sky from winter to spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   1 38.35   33 17.5   1.160   1.905   125   16.1  19:45 (  0, 88)  
Dec. 26   1 23.84   35 10.9   1.185   1.844   116   16.0  19:03 (180, 90)

* C/2005 L3 ( McNaught )

It brightened up to 13 mag and observed visually from 2007 to 2009. Due to the far distance, it is bright as 15.5 mag still now (Oct. 30, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be observable in good condition again from winter to spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  13 28.44   32 13.1   7.533   7.479    83   16.1   5:32 (267, 64)  
Dec. 26  13 28.10   32 50.5   7.462   7.511    89   16.1   5:35 (270, 70)

* 94P/Russell 4

Now it is 16.8 mag (Dec. 20, J. M. Trigo-Rodriguez). It is expected to brighten rapidly and to be observable at 15 mag in good condition from winter to spring. However, it is a bit fainter than this ephemeris recently. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  10 29.08   17  7.3   1.762   2.344   114   16.3   4:39 (  0, 72)  
Dec. 26  10 33.95   17 11.0   1.676   2.331   120   16.1   4:16 (  0, 72)

* 157P/Tritton

It brightened up to 11 mag in outburst in 2003. However, it does not seem to be so bright in this apparition. Now it is 16.3 mag (Nov. 18, J. M. Ruiz, G. Muler). It will be observable in good condition in winter. But it seems to brighten only up to 16 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  23 54.97   10 28.0   1.083   1.536    95   16.3  18:21 ( 11, 65)  
Dec. 26   0  7.52   11 10.3   1.102   1.502    91   16.3  18:25 ( 22, 65)

* (3552) Don Quixote

It passed the perihelion in September, and brightened up to 14.6 mag (Sept. 19, Hidetaka Sato). It is fading now, but still bright as 16.1 mag (Nov. 11, Hidetaka Sato). 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)  
Dec. 19  22 35.46    9  7.1   1.678   1.752    77   16.7  18:21 ( 47, 56)  
Dec. 26  22 49.87   11 31.0   1.796   1.810    74   16.9  18:25 ( 55, 55)

* C/2008 P1 ( Garradd )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Dec. 5, A. Sanchez). It has a very long tail in spite of the distance. It passed the perihelion in 2009, but it was brighter in 2008. It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in next spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  22 56.15   31 46.0   3.950   4.106    92   16.8  18:21 ( 84, 74)  
Dec. 26  22 58.14   32  4.6   4.061   4.125    86   16.9  18:25 ( 90, 68)

* 203P/2008 R4 ( Korlevic )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Dec. 18, Ken-ichi Kadota). This comet tends to brighten after the perihelion passage. It will be observable at 16-17 mag in 2010 and 2011. It is brighter than this ephemeris recently. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   4 30.52   24 20.7   2.242   3.194   162   16.8  22:37 (  0, 79)  
Dec. 26   4 26.49   24  4.7   2.276   3.191   154   16.8  22:06 (  0, 79)

* 64P/Swift-Gehrels

Fading slowly. Now it is 16.6 mag (Nov. 15, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Dec. 19  10 17.31    8 13.0   1.907   2.474   113   16.8   4:27 (  0, 63)  
Dec. 26  10 15.80    7 53.7   1.875   2.528   121   16.9   3:58 (  0, 63)

* 107P/(4015) Wilson-Harrington

The condition is good in this apparition. It approached to the earth down to 0.38 A.U., and brightened up to 15.9 mag (Nov. 24, A. Sanchez). It is still bright as 16.0 mag (Dec. 11, A. Sanchez). It will fading after this. It will be fainter than 18 mag in mid January. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   0 56.33    9 16.8   0.511   1.251   109   16.8  19:06 (  0, 64)  
Dec. 26   1 29.21   11 45.0   0.577   1.304   110   17.1  19:11 (  0, 67)

* 230P/2009 U6 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Nov. 3, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be fainter than 18 mag in March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  11  4.96   13 35.2   1.497   1.991   104   17.1   5:15 (  0, 69)  
Dec. 26  11  9.95   14 21.2   1.462   2.034   111   17.1   4:52 (  0, 69)

* C/2008 S3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Nov. 6, C. Rinner, F. Kugel). It keeps observable at 17 mag for a long time from 2010 to 2012. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   2 34.58   18  6.5   7.920   8.642   134   17.4  20:42 (  0, 73)  
Dec. 26   2 30.61   17 53.1   8.002   8.626   126   17.4  20:10 (  0, 73)

* 47P/Ashbrook-Jackson

It brightened up to 15-16 mag in 2008 summer. Now it is 17.2 mag (Dec. 6, A. Garrigos S., T. Garrigos S., C. Garrigos S.). It will be fainter than 18 mag in January. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   3  4.20   34  7.1   2.473   3.312   142   17.6  21:11 (  0, 89)  
Dec. 26   3  1.93   33 41.3   2.551   3.330   136   17.7  20:42 (  0, 89)

* 31P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 2

It will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition in early 2010 and early 2011. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   5 38.63   20 20.8   2.624   3.607   176   17.7  23:45 (  0, 75)  
Dec. 26   5 33.55   20 24.6   2.628   3.599   169   17.7  23:12 (  0, 75)

* 232P/2009 W1 ( Hill )

It will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  10  4.44   30 45.2   2.366   3.017   123   17.9   4:14 (  0, 86)  
Dec. 26  10  5.55   31 26.1   2.301   3.023   129   17.8   3:48 (  0, 86)

* C/2009 T3 ( LINEAR )

It was bright as 16.8 mag in November (Nov. 14, Ken-ichi Kadota). Now it is fading. It will be fainter than 18 mag in late December. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   0 34.48   19 58.7   1.792   2.298   108   17.9  18:41 (  0, 75)  
Dec. 26   0 19.02   18 45.3   1.943   2.289    97   18.0  18:25 ( 22, 73)

* P/2004 F3 ( NEAT )

New periodic comet which brightened up to 14 mag in 2004 and 2005. It should be observable at 18 mag also around the aphelion. However, no observations have been reported since 2008 January. It seems to have faded out rapidly. Now it is fainter than 20.4 mag actually (Sept. 16, Leonid Elenin). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   6 53.97   29 49.8   4.041   4.994   163   20.0   1:05 (  0, 85)  
Dec. 26   6 49.13   30  8.0   4.014   4.986   170   20.0   0:32 (  0, 85)

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