Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2012 Dec. 1: South)

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 Updated on December 2, 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/2011 F1 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 9.0 mag in 2012 autumn (Nov. 4, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is not observable now. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky at 9 mag in 2013 February, then it keeps observable in good condition while fading slowly. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is hardly observable after 2013. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  17  3.16  -18  3.9   2.851   1.882     8    9.3  20:42 ( 54,-16)  
Dec.  8  17 18.46  -20 27.7   2.841   1.862     4    9.2  20:50 ( 48,-17)

* C/2011 L4 ( PanSTARRS )

It is expected to be a great comet of -1 mag in 2013 spring. It brightened up to 10.1 mag in 2012 autumn (Oct. 14, Marco Goiato). It brightened faster than originally expected. It is not observable now. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning low sky at 8 mag in late December. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps unobservable for a long time until 2013 March, when the comet will appear as a 0-mag great comet. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  16 15.69  -33 49.4   3.050   2.098    12    9.6   2:55 (320, -7)  
Dec.  8  16 27.06  -34 54.9   2.928   1.988    14    9.3   2:53 (319, -4)

* C/2012 K5 ( LINEAR )

Now it is so bright at 9.9 mag (Nov. 24, Seiichi Yoshida). It is expected to approach to the earth and to be observable at 8 mag in good condition in winter. The condition is good in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable now. But it will become observable in good condition after 2013 January. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  14  3.04   45 41.3   0.881   1.142    75   10.0   2:55 (232,-29)  
Dec.  8  13 45.53   48 54.1   0.715   1.152    83    9.6   2:53 (226,-23)

* C/2012 V4

New comet discovered by Rob Matson from SWAN images of mid November. It can be a re-discovery of a lost comet C/1827 M1 (Pons-Gambart). Now it is very bright as 10.6 mag (Dec. 2, Hidetaka Sato). It locates extremely low in the evening, and will be unobservable soon. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky at 12 mag in mid January, then it keeps observable in excellent condition while fading. In the Southern Hemisphere, it must have been locating high from summer to autumn, but it has not been discovered. After this, it is only observable in low sky from February to March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  19 14.93  -28  1.4   1.408   0.874    37   10.9  20:42 ( 66, 13)  
Dec.  8  19  9.14  -23  3.2   1.527   0.831    29   10.7  20:50 ( 64,  3)

* C/2012 F6 ( Lemmon )

Getting brighter much faster than expected. Now it is so bright as 11.3 mag and visible visually (Nov. 22, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will approach to the sun down to 0.73 A.U. in 2013 March. It may brighten up to 3 mag at best. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable while brightening gradually after this in good condition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is only observable until early January when it becomes 9 mag. After 2013 May, it keeps observable in good condition while fading gradually. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  11 41.47  -15 31.4   2.250   2.089    67   12.0   2:55 (267, 32)  
Dec.  8  11 47.57  -19  2.7   2.062   1.994    72   11.5   2:53 (268, 38)

* C/2011 R1 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 11.4 mag (Oct. 15, Chris Wyatt). It is expected to be observable at 11-13 mag for a long time from 2012 summer to 2013 summer. It is not observable until January in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be extremely low from October to December. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  15 34.77  -39 21.7   3.030   2.140    21   12.2   2:55 (318,  3)  
Dec.  8  15 42.15  -38  3.4   3.037   2.161    22   12.3   2:53 (315,  4)

* 168P/Hergenrother

It brightened very rapidly and unusually, and reached up to 10 mag. It is bright as 10.8 mag still now (Nov. 24, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps high for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere. But the comet will be fading after this. It locates very low in the Southern Hemisphere. The nuclear split was observed in late October. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1   0  3.82   41 17.2   0.803   1.565   121   13.0  20:42 (165, 11)  
Dec.  8   0 15.86   41 54.8   0.870   1.598   118   13.7  20:50 (161,  9)

* C/2009 P1 ( Garradd )

It kept as bright as 6-7 mag for a long time from 2011 summer to 2012 spring. Now it is fading. But it is very bright and visible visually at 13.0 mag still now (Nov. 24, Seiichi Yoshida). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  10  0.18   -6 35.7   4.183   4.368    94   13.0   2:55 (238, 46)  
Dec.  8   9 56.23   -7 27.5   4.130   4.433   101   13.1   2:53 (231, 52)

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

It brightened up to 11-12 mag in 2012. It will appear in the morning sky soon. It will be observable at 12-13 mag in good condition again in 2013. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  15 29.66  -16  8.7   6.361   5.415    15   13.4   2:55 (300,-13)  
Dec.  8  15 31.19  -16 22.4   6.335   5.432    21   13.4   2:53 (297, -8)

* C/2010 S1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 13.3 mag (Nov. 15, Sandor Szabo). It keeps bright at 13-14 mag for a long time until 2014. It keeps observable for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  20 39.40   36 33.3   6.063   6.022    82   13.6  20:42 (130, -8)  
Dec.  8  20 40.65   35 22.4   6.136   6.012    78   13.6  20:50 (125,-12)

* C/2011 UF305 ( LINEAR )

It brightened much faster than expected, and reached up to 10.0 mag in summer (Aug. 9, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading, but it is bright as 12.9 ma still now (Nov. 24, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps observable in good condition for a while after this. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1   9 36.30   23 27.9   2.117   2.624   110   13.7   2:55 (211, 25)  
Dec.  8   9 24.52   22  3.7   2.046   2.670   119   13.7   2:53 (203, 30)

* 262P/2012 K7 ( McNaught-Russell )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 1994. Although it had been much fainter than expected, it is brightening rapidly now. Now it is bright as 13.2 mag and visible visually (Nov. 12, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be observable at 13 mag in excellent condition from autumn to winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  22 21.44   -0 54.2   0.855   1.281    87   13.8  20:42 (119, 36)  
Dec.  8  22 50.84   -3  3.2   0.876   1.281    86   13.8  20:50 (115, 36)

* 246P/2010 V2 ( NEAT )

It brightened rapidly, and reached up to 12 mag in 2012. It is not observable now. But it will be observable at 12-14 mag in good condition again in 2013. However, it locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere in 2013. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  16 10.55  -17 30.8   3.875   2.897     6   14.0   2:55 (308,-18)  
Dec.  8  16 22.48  -18 19.4   3.859   2.893     9   14.0   2:53 (307,-16)

* C/2009 F4 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 13.3 mag (Oct. 19, Jakub Cerny). 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)  
Dec.  1   3 32.14  -55 24.7   5.699   5.980   101   14.0  22:48 (  0, 70)  
Dec.  8   3 24.22  -54 25.7   5.748   6.001   100   14.0  22:13 (  0, 71)

* C/2012 L2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is visible visually at 14.7 mag (Nov. 15, Sandor Szabo). It is expected to brighten up to 10 mag from winter to spring in 2013. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until 2013 April. It is not observable now in the Southern Hemisphere. It will become observable after 2013 April, but it keeps locating low. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  21 25.15   78 32.5   2.099   2.583   108   14.2  20:42 (169,-29)  
Dec.  8  22  1.96   76 33.7   2.019   2.515   108   14.0  20:50 (167,-27)

* C/2012 J1 ( Catalina )

Now it is bright and visible visually at 12.2 mag (Nov. 16, Marco Goiato). It keeps 12-14 mag until February. It keeps observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be getting lower gradually after this, and will be unobservable in late January. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  23 55.54   24 31.3   2.578   3.159   117   14.1  20:42 (157, 27)  
Dec.  8   0  1.30   23 14.4   2.652   3.159   112   14.1  20:50 (150, 25)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Appearing in the morning sky in late November. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  13 43.27  -19 16.3   6.978   6.240    38   14.2   2:55 (287,  9)  
Dec.  8  13 47.64  -19 46.9   6.902   6.239    44   14.2   2:53 (285, 14)

* (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. Now it is 11.9 mag (May 29, Marco Goiato). It has already turned to be stellar. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  19  8.95  -31  2.5   3.311   2.588    36   14.3  20:42 ( 62, 14)  
Dec.  8  19 23.19  -30 44.7   3.369   2.598    32   14.3  20:50 ( 60, 11)

* C/2012 T5 ( Bressi )

Brightening very rapidly. Now it is 15.1 mag (Nov. 15, Catalina Sky Survey). It approaches to the Sun down to 0.3 A.U. in 2013 February. The ephemeris says it will brighten up to 7 mag. However, because the comet is small, it may be disintegrated. It keeps observable in good condition until February while brightening gradually. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1   2 32.21    0 38.9   0.966   1.859   144   15.1  21:47 (180, 55)  
Dec.  8   2  8.53   -4 16.0   0.937   1.744   130   14.8  20:56 (180, 60)

* C/2012 L1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is visible visually at 15.0 mag (Nov. 15, Sandor Szabo). It keeps 15 mag until March. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time until the comet fades out. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere, except for 2013 spring, but the comet locates extremely low only. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  13 58.83   78 43.0   1.850   2.280   102   14.9   2:55 (194,-35)  
Dec.  8  13 51.68   82 30.8   1.771   2.271   107   14.8   2:53 (189,-34)

* 260P/2012 K2 ( McNaught )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 14 mag in 2005. It brightened very rapidly and became much brighter than originally expected. It is bright as 12.7 mag still now (Nov. 24, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps high for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere. But the comet will be fading after this. It locates very low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1   1 34.09   41 56.0   0.852   1.718   138   15.0  20:52 (180, 13)  
Dec.  8   1 39.27   41 25.0   0.918   1.754   134   15.4  20:50 (176, 13)

* C/2011 J2 ( LINEAR )

It is expected to keep 13 mag and observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere for a long time from 2013 to 2014. Now it is 15.4 mag (Nov. 19, V. Gerke, A. Novichonok, S. Plaksa). It will be observable also in the Southern Hemisphere from early December to early March, although it locates low. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  11 31.96   20 34.8   4.901   4.897    84   15.4   2:55 (235, 11)  
Dec.  8  11 32.94   21 39.4   4.736   4.855    91   15.2   2:53 (230, 14)

* C/2012 A2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is visible visually at 14.4 mag (Nov. 15, Sandor Szabo). It keeps 15-16 mag until February. It keeps observable in good condition for a long time until the comet fades out in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable until 2013 summer in the Southern Hemisphere. By the way, Juan Jose Gonzalez reported it extremely bright as 10.4 mag visually on Nov. 6. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1   0 31.20   84 43.7   3.022   3.545   114   15.4  20:42 (178,-30)  
Dec.  8   0  7.70   80 50.5   3.018   3.550   115   15.5  20:50 (175,-27)

* C/2011 O1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 14.8 mag (Oct. 7, 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)  
Dec.  1  20 48.84  -79 35.8   4.326   3.995    64   15.7  20:42 ( 12, 38)  
Dec.  8  21 24.07  -78 54.8   4.356   4.009    63   15.7  20:50 ( 13, 38)

* 63P/Wild 1

Now it is 18.0 mag (Nov. 24, J. F. Hernandez). It will brighten very rapidly, and reach up to 13 mag from winter to spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in excellent condition. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps locating extremely low for a while. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  10  2.24   36 38.1   1.823   2.326   108   16.3   2:55 (209, 11)  
Dec.  8  10 10.53   36 32.7   1.722   2.291   112   16.0   2:53 (206, 12)

* 78P/Gehrels 2

It kept as bright as 11-12 mag for a long time from 2011 autumn to 2012 spring. Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 17.1 mag (Nov. 14, Catalina Sky Survey). It keeps observable in good condition until next spring while the comet will be fading gradually. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  10 32.98    2 26.7   2.951   3.112    90   16.0   2:55 (238, 34)  
Dec.  8  10 35.99    1 57.8   2.881   3.144    96   16.0   2:53 (233, 38)

* C/2012 S1 ( ISON )

Now it is 16.5 mag (Nov. 12, Gerke, A. Novichonok, S. Plaksa). It is expected to be a great comet in 2013 autumn when the comet approaches to the sun down to only 0.01 A.U. It keeps visible with naked eyes from November to January, and can be extremely bright as Venus or more at the highlight. The condition is excellent in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps observable almost all through the period of brightening, at the highlight, and of fading. The condition is not good in the Southern Hemisphere. It is not observable at all the latter part of the highlight, and it keeps low all through the period. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1   8 14.50   29 10.4   4.911   5.585   129   16.4   2:55 (190, 25)  
Dec.  8   8 10.71   29 30.5   4.753   5.513   136   16.3   2:53 (183, 25)

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

Although it had been unobservable for a while, it is appearing in the morning sky now. It keeps bright as 13-14 mag for a long time from 2013 to 2014. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  13 46.29   -5 37.1   4.423   3.757    42   16.6   2:55 (276,  1)  
Dec.  8  13 53.65   -6 19.4   4.333   3.741    47   16.5   2:53 (274,  5)

* C/2012 V2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.0 mag (Nov. 12, Yasukazu Ikari). It will brighten up to 12 mag from summer to autumn in 2013. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable only until 2013 spring when the comet brightens up to 15 mag. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps unobservable until 2013 August. Then it keeps observable while fading gradually. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  21 46.60   65 43.7   3.178   3.571   105   17.0  20:42 (159,-19)  
Dec.  8  21 57.61   64  7.2   3.133   3.502   103   16.9  20:50 (156,-20)

* C/2012 C1 ( McNaught )

Now it is 17.3 mag (Nov. 10, K. Hills). In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable at 17 mag in good condition for a long time from 2012 to 2013. It is not observable at all in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1   5 30.04  -75 13.9   4.895   4.865    82   17.3   0:51 (  0, 50)  
Dec.  8   4 57.71  -76  3.2   4.911   4.860    81   17.3  23:43 (  0, 49)

* 65P/Gunn

It brightened up to 12 mag in 2010. Now the comet is around the aphelion. But it will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from autumn to winter. However, now it is 18.8 mag (Nov. 18, Gerke, A. Novichonok, S. Plaksa), much fainter than this ephemeris. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1   4 13.85   20 48.9   3.678   4.662   176   17.7  23:30 (180, 34)  
Dec.  8   4  8.88   20 44.3   3.702   4.670   168   17.7  22:58 (180, 34)

* P/2012 US27 ( Siding Spring )

Although it was 18.7 mag on Oct. 18 (Siding Spring Survey), it brightened rapidly up to 17.3 mag (Nov. 25, Siding Spring Survey). It will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition until February. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1   0 11.92  -27 36.8   1.514   1.953   100   17.7  20:42 (111, 73)  
Dec.  8   0 13.49  -23 42.1   1.552   1.929    96   17.7  20:50 (110, 64)

* 2008 YB3

Peculiar asteroid moving along a cometary orbit. It keeps observable at 18 mag for a long time from 2008 to 2014. It locates extremely low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1   7 59.55   35 42.3   6.373   7.076   132   17.7   2:55 (185, 19)  
Dec.  8   7 55.56   36 31.7   6.308   7.088   139   17.7   2:48 (180, 19)

* C/2012 Q1 ( Kowalski )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Oct. 19, H. Denzau). Because it is a very distant object, it keeps 18 mag for a long time until 2014. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  22  8.00    9 26.8   9.548   9.575    88   17.7  20:42 (124, 26)  
Dec.  8  22  9.76    9  9.6   9.663   9.580    82   17.7  20:50 (118, 20)

* C/2012 S4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Nov. 10, J. Lozano). It keeps 17-18 mag for a long time until the end of 2013. The condition is good in the Northern Hemisphere. It is hardly observable in 2012 in the Northern Hemisphere. But it will be observable in good condition in 2013. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1  23 27.63   42 14.8   4.171   4.675   115   17.8  20:42 (158,  8)  
Dec.  8  23 25.49   39 59.2   4.237   4.654   109   17.8  20:50 (151,  7)

* 244P/2010 Q1 ( Scotti )

Now it is 17.9 mag (Nov. 1, P. Dupouy, J. B. de Vanssay). It reached up to 17 mag in last winter between 2011 and 2012. It will be observable in good condition again at 17.5 mag in this winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1   9 42.75   15 35.7   3.712   4.099   106   17.9   2:55 (216, 31)  
Dec.  8   9 43.90   15 31.2   3.619   4.106   113   17.9   2:53 (210, 34)

* 270P/2012 S5 ( Gehrels )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 1997 at 17 mag. Now it is 18.1 mag (Nov. 14, R. Ligustri). It was expected to keep 17 mag for a long time from 2012 to 2014. But actually, it is fainter than predicted by 1-2 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1   1 52.50   11 56.3   3.027   3.847   141   19.1  21:10 (180, 43)  
Dec.  8   1 51.10   11 43.9   3.084   3.832   133   19.1  20:50 (177, 43)

* P/2011 N1 ( ASH )

It was observed at 17 mag in 2011 autumn. It was expected to be observable at 17 mag in good condition again from autumn to winter in 2012. But actually, the comet is 19.9 mag (Nov. 27, Mt. Lemmon Survey), much fainter than this ephemeris. The comet must have faded out very rapidly. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  1   6 40.49   34 50.9   2.282   3.165   148   20.5   2:01 (180, 20)  
Dec.  8   6 35.02   36 15.8   2.265   3.187   155   20.5   1:28 (180, 19)

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