Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2012 May 12: South)

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Updated on May 15, 2012
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Southern Hemisphere.
Azimuth indicates 0 for south, 90 for west, 180 for north, 270 for east.

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* C/2009 P1 ( Garradd )

Now it is 9.0 mag (May 12, Katsumi Yoshimoto). Fading slowly. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable at 10 mag in June. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable in the evening low sky from April to June.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12   8 50.05   33  7.4   2.472   2.414    74    9.2  18:34 (165, 20)  
May  19   8 51.65   30 28.3   2.651   2.479    69    9.5  18:30 (160, 22)  

* (596) Scheila

Big asteroid discovered in 1906. It suddenly showed the cometary activity on Dec. 11, 2010, probably due to an impact of a small object. It was very bright as 11.5 mag visually (Dec. 17, 2010, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is 12.3 mag (May 12, Alexandre Amorim). It has already turned to be stellar.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  16 50.93  -19 54.7   1.481   2.445   157   12.3   1:32 (180, 75)  
May  19  16 45.10  -20 31.5   1.452   2.445   165   12.1   0:59 (180, 76)  

* C/2011 F1 ( LINEAR )

Already so bright as 11.6 mag (May 9, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is expected to be bright as 9 mag from 2012 to 2013. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time until 2012 autumn when the comet brightens up to 10 mag. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is hardly observble before the perihelion passage. But it becomes observable in good condition since 2013 after the perihelion passage.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  14 47.80   56  9.1   2.974   3.387   105   12.7  23:24 (180, -1)  
May  19  14 38.07   55 20.9   2.937   3.324   103   12.6  22:47 (180,  0)  

* C/2011 UF305 ( LINEAR )

It brightened much faster than expected. Now it is so bright as 11.2 mag (May 9, Juan Jose Gonzalez). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable at 12-14 mag in good condition until early 2013. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until late 2012.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  22 27.39   78 21.7   2.460   2.295    68   13.4   5:17 (186,-24)  
May  19  23 38.73   82 41.2   2.464   2.266    66   13.3   5:22 (185,-29)  

* C/2011 R1 ( McNaught )

Now it is 14.3 mag (Mar 13, Jakub Cerny). It is already unobservable in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be getting higher gradually. It is expected to be observable at 11-13 mag for a long time from 2012 summer to 2013 summer. It will be observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. But it is not observable until 2013 January in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12   2 18.39  -35 42.2   3.235   2.791    55   13.5   5:17 (298, 23)  
May  19   2 27.79  -36 59.4   3.111   2.740    59   13.3   5:22 (297, 28)  

* C/2011 L4 ( PanSTARRS )

It is expected to be a great comet of -1 mag in 2013 spring. Now it is bright as 13.7 mag (May 2, K. Hills). Brightening faster than originally expected. In 2012, it keeps observable until summer while brightening gradually. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  16 30.47  -25 46.0   3.704   4.672   161   13.5   1:12 (180, 81)  
May  19  16 22.71  -25 51.5   3.598   4.596   169   13.4   0:36 (180, 81)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

Now it is bright as 13.4 mag (Mar. 27, Jakub Cerny). It keeps 13-14 mag and observable in good condition until September.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  17 18.54  -12 58.4   4.234   5.135   150   13.5   2:00 (180, 68)  
May  19  17  8.36  -12 50.5   4.182   5.137   158   13.4   1:22 (180, 68)  

* C/2009 F4 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 12.8 mag and visible visually (Mar. 14, John Drummond). It keeps bright as 13-14 mag for a long time after this until 2013. It is not observable in the Northern Hemisphere, but it is observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12   3 48.60  -56 20.8   5.719   5.541    74   13.6  18:34 ( 39, 28)  
May  19   3 56.29  -55 28.6   5.720   5.550    75   13.6  18:30 ( 39, 25)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Another small outburst occured on May 1 and it was observed at 14.5 mag (Jean-Francois Soulier).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  12  6.77  -10 49.0   5.517   6.258   133   13.7  20:44 (180, 66)  
May  19  12  5.68  -10 35.5   5.599   6.257   126   13.7  20:16 (180, 66)  

* 78P/Gehrels 2

Now it is 12.2 mag (Mar. 25, Jakub Koukal). It is not observable now. But it will appear in the morning sky again at 15 mag in autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12   5 10.13   19  1.9   3.084   2.231    26   13.7  18:34 (116,  4)  
May  19   5 25.83   19 14.6   3.142   2.255    23   13.8  18:30 (115,  2)  

* C/2011 Q2 ( McNaught )

It was observed at 12.5 mag on Apr. 1, as bright as expected (Michael Jager). Now it is 14.0 mag (Apr. 26, Michael Jager). In the Northern Hemisphere, it locates extremely low in the morning until June. It will be observable at high location after summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12   2  9.82   38 26.5   2.965   2.093    24   14.3   5:17 (234,-16)  
May  19   2 28.52   39 43.8   3.030   2.163    25   14.5   5:22 (231,-15)  

* 58P/Jackson-Neujmin

This comet brightened up to 10 mag in outburst in 1995, however, it became lost after that. The condition of this apparition is bad. It is not observable around the perihelion passage. Maybe it can be recovered after summer when it appears in the morning sky.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12   2 22.36    8  7.1   2.365   1.426    16   14.5   5:17 (261, -2)  
May  19   2 44.71    9 22.1   2.381   1.450    17   14.3   5:22 (259,  0)  

* 21P/Giacobini-Zinner

It brightened up to 9 mag in January and February in the evening low sky. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable in the evening extremely low sky in April and May. It will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12   4 50.46    2 50.9   2.407   1.583    27   14.3  18:34 (100, 10)  
May  19   5 11.03    2 53.4   2.482   1.647    27   14.7  18:30 (100,  9)  

* C/2010 S1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is visible visually at 13.9 mag (Mar. 26, Jakub Cerny). It is expected to be 13 mag and will be observable in good condition in 2013. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be getting higher gradually in the morning sky, and keeps observable for a long time. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  23 29.07   51 31.1   6.977   6.457    55   14.4   5:17 (205, -4)  
May  19  23 28.76   52  7.5   6.908   6.438    58   14.3   5:22 (201, -2)  

* (3200) Phaethon

It passed the perihelion on May 2. But it is not observable when it is bright at this apparition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12   1 57.89   19 17.5   1.162   0.382    18   14.6   5:17 (249, -3)  
May  19   2  7.65   22 37.1   1.340   0.563    22   15.4   5:22 (243, -1)  

* C/2011 A3 ( Gibbs )

Now it is 14.3 mag (Mar. 27, Jakub Cerny). After this, it will be observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere while fading gradually. It will locate somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. In 2011, some visual observers reported it was very bright as 10-12 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  22 35.25  -14  4.4   2.919   2.855    76   14.7   5:17 (239, 56)  
May  19  22 43.34  -14 17.6   2.872   2.898    81   14.7   5:22 (231, 60)  

* C/2011 U3 ( PanSTARRS )

It will brighten up to 14 mag from May to July. It has not been observed since late January, but it must be already bright at 15 mag. In the Southern Hemisphere, it has been extremely low, but it will be getting higher gradually after this, and will be observable in good condition. It will be hardly observable in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12   2 39.58  -24 36.9   1.628   1.137    43   15.1   5:17 (291, 13)  
May  19   2 56.87  -27 48.5   1.462   1.103    48   14.8   5:22 (292, 18)  

* 246P/2010 V2 ( NEAT )

Now it is so bright as 12.3 mag and visible visually (Mar. 22, Carlos Labordena). Although it was extremely faint as 20.5 mag at the recovery in 2010 autumn, it brightened rapidly. It will keep 12-14 mag and observable in good condition for a long time from 2012 to 2013. But it locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere in 2013.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  12 55.03   13 57.1   2.417   3.189   132   14.8  21:32 (180, 41)  
May  19  12 52.59   13 24.9   2.469   3.175   126   14.8  21:02 (180, 42)  

* 71P/Clark

It brightened up to 17.1 mag in late June in 2011 (June 24, J. F. Hernandez). The condition of this apparition is bad, and it was not observable around the perihelion passage. It is appearing in the morning sky in the Southern Hemisphere, but it locates extremely low. It will not be observable until June in the Northern Hemisphere, when the comet will be 15.5 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12   0 27.43   -4 59.3   2.614   2.072    47   14.9   5:17 (254, 29)  
May  19   0 39.54   -3 48.3   2.594   2.110    51   15.1   5:22 (250, 32)  

* C/2011 O1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.0 mag (Mar. 26, Jakub Cerny). In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be observable at 15-16 mag in good condition for a long time until 2013 summer. It is not observable at all in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  20 37.61  -59  1.3   3.517   3.984   110   15.2   5:17 (  0, 66)  
May  19  20 41.34  -61 21.6   3.440   3.971   114   15.2   4:54 (  0, 64)  

* 96P/Machholz 1

Now it is 18.2 mag (Apr. 20, Pierre Auger Observatory). It will brighten rapidly after this. It will approach to the sun down to 0.12 A.U. on July 14. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition except for mid July only, in the morning sky before the perihelion passage, and in the evening sky after the perihelion passage. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable before the perihelion passage. But it will appear in the evening sky at 8 mag in late July. Then it keeps observable while fading rapidly in the evening low sky.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12   0 17.94  -36 22.0   1.576   1.536    68   15.9   5:17 (288, 46)  
May  19   0 48.80  -35 23.1   1.423   1.421    69   15.3   5:22 (287, 46)  

* C/2012 CH17 ( MOSS )

Now it is 16.6 mag (Apr. 27, S. Shurpakov). It will brighten up to 13.5 mag from summer to autumn. It keeps observable for a long time until December. In the Northern Hemisphere, it locates high until spring. But after that, it keeps locating low in the evening. In the Southern Henmisphere, it keeps locating low all through the time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  10 48.66   35 58.8   2.008   2.352    96   16.2  19:27 (180, 19)  
May  19  10 50.97   35 25.8   2.016   2.278    91   16.1  19:01 (180, 20)  

* C/2012 J1 ( Catalina )

Bright new comet. Now it is 16.1 mag (May 14, P. Birtwhistle). It keeps observable in good condition at 15-16 mag for a long time until winter. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  22 47.99   25 15.2   4.118   3.753    62   16.3   5:17 (212, 22)  
May  19  22 55.46   26 30.0   4.033   3.735    65   16.3   5:22 (206, 24)  

* C/2011 J2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.9 mag (Apr. 14, Yasukazu Ikari). It is expected to keep 13 mag and observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere for a long time from 2013 to 2014. It keeps observable at 17-18 mag in good condition until June.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  10 25.02   11 39.4   5.886   6.180   102   16.8  19:03 (180, 43)  
May  19  10 23.58   12 12.2   5.963   6.134    94   16.8  18:34 (180, 43)  

* C/2010 R1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Apr. 14, Yasukazu Ikari). It keeps observable at 17 mag for a long time from 2011 to 2013. In 2012, it keeps observable in good condition until early September.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  15 27.23    7 28.6   4.695   5.622   154   16.9   0:09 (180, 48)  
May  19  15 18.05    7 52.7   4.711   5.621   151   16.9  23:27 (180, 47)  

* C/2012 A2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Apr. 21, Catalina Sky Survey). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable at 16-17 mag in good condition for a long time from 2012 to 2013. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12   9  9.35   64 36.2   4.059   3.884    72   16.9  18:34 (175,-10)  
May  19   9  2.89   64  2.1   4.125   3.859    67   16.9  18:30 (172,-10)  

* 105P/Singer Brewster

It has not been observed since 2011 March. Juro Kobayashi detected a possible image of this comet at around 19 mag on Apr. 28. It is predicted to brighten up to 17 mag and will be observable in good condition from spring to summer. But actually, it seems much fainter than expected.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  19 32.19   -8 37.1   1.469   2.131   117   17.1   4:12 (180, 64)  
May  19  19 35.14   -7 48.5   1.421   2.146   122   17.0   3:48 (180, 63)  

* 152P/Helin-Lawrence

Now it is 17.5 mag (Apr. 19, C. Bell). It tends to brighten after the perihelion passage. It keeps observable at 17 mag from 2012 to 2013. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  16 37.91  -15 19.3   2.163   3.132   160   17.1   1:19 (180, 70)  
May  19  16 33.60  -15 24.5   2.133   3.129   167   17.1   0:47 (180, 70)  

* P/2005 K3 ( McNaught )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 14 mag in 2005. It is expected to brighten up to 13 mag from summer to autumn, and will be observable in excellent condition. It locates high in the Southern Hemisphere. It is predicted to be already 17 mag. But it has not been recovered yet. Martin Masek reported it was fainter than 17.5 mag on May 14.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  22 32.06  -23 36.1   1.857   1.969    80   17.5   5:17 (253, 63)  
May  19  22 47.02  -22  7.7   1.753   1.926    83   17.2   5:22 (245, 65)  

* C/2005 L3 ( McNaught )

It brightened up to 13-14 mag and became visible visually from 2007 to 2009. Now it is fading. But it is still bright as 16.9 mag (Mar. 19, V. Gerke, S. Plaksa, A. Novichonok). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in excellent condition until early summer in 2012. In the Southern Hemisphere, it locates extremely low only.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12   9 48.71   39 13.2  11.897  11.846    84   17.6  18:34 (179, 16)  
May  19   9 47.94   38 55.8  12.043  11.882    78   17.6  18:30 (174, 16)  

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

Now it is 16.4 mag (Apr. 15, J. F. Hernandez). It will brighten up to 13 mag in 2014. In 2012, it is observable at 17 mag in good condition in spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  10 52.93   16 44.7   3.803   4.202   106   17.6  19:31 (180, 38)  
May  19  10 53.74   16 21.6   3.889   4.187   100   17.6  19:04 (180, 39)  

* 240P/2010 P1 ( NEAT )

It had been fading after the perihelion passage in 2010 October, but it brightened again in outburst on Apr. 5, 2011. It reached up to 14.7 mag in May (May 28, Hidetaka Sato). It is bright as 17.5 mag still now, much brighter than expected (Apr. 16, Catalina Sky Survey). It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition after this. It will keep 18 mag for a while.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May  12  12 58.57   20 55.0   3.502   4.204   128   18.4  21:36 (180, 34)  
May  19  12 55.75   20 24.8   3.599   4.229   122   18.5  21:05 (180, 35)  

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