Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2012 Dec. 29: North)

Japanese version
Home page
Updated on December 30, 2012
Last week South Next week

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/2011 L4 ( PanSTARRS )

It is expected to be a great comet of -1 mag in 2013 spring. Appearing in the morning sky in the Southern Hemisphere. Now it is 8.0 mag (Dec. 27, Marco Goiato). Brightening as expected. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in the low sky until mid February. 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. 29  17  9.58  -38 41.1   2.496   1.641    23    8.1   5:36 (309,-12)  
Jan.  5  17 27.87  -40  6.6   2.332   1.519    26    7.7   5:38 (312,-11)  

* 273P/2012 V4 ( Pons-Gambart )

Long-lost comet for almost 200 years since 1827. Finally re-discovered by Rob Matson from SWAN images of mid November. It was very bright as 8.6 mag in early December (Dec. 8, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is not observable. It can brighten furthermore after the perihelion passage. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky at 8-9 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. 29  18 53.81  -11 21.7   1.758   0.829    12    8.1  18:27 ( 82, -8)  
Jan.  5  18 49.05   -8  1.7   1.778   0.866    15    8.1   5:38 (275, -7)  

* C/2012 K5 ( LINEAR )

Now it is so bright at 9.3 mag (Dec. 23, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Very close to the earth now. However, it will go away from the earth and fade out rapidly after mid January. The condition is good in the Northern Hemisphere. It will become observable in good condition also in the Southern Hemisphere after January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   7 44.79   56 39.7   0.301   1.240   144    8.1   1:25 (180, 68)  
Jan.  5   5 23.77   28 56.0   0.324   1.287   156    8.5  22:17 (  0, 82)  

* C/2012 F6 ( Lemmon )

Getting brighter much faster than expected. Now it is so bright as 9.4 mag (Dec. 20, Chris Wyatt). 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. 29  12  6.01  -33 42.3   1.523   1.702    82    9.6   5:35 (  0, 21)  
Jan.  5  12 12.62  -40 38.1   1.365   1.603    84    8.9   5:14 (  0, 14)  

* 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. 29  18  8.62  -27  9.3   2.797   1.824     6    9.1   5:36 (293,-15)  
Jan.  5  18 26.87  -29 12.1   2.777   1.820    10    9.1   5:38 (296,-14)  

* 262P/2012 K7 ( McNaught-Russell )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 1994. Although it had been fainter than expected, it is brightening rapidly now. Now it is so bright as 10.6 mag (Dec. 13, Katsumi Yoshimoto). It has a large diffuse coma. It It will be observable at 10 mag in excellent condition in this winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   0 19.19   -7 11.2   0.992   1.323    84   11.7  18:27 ( 14, 47)  
Jan.  5   0 47.16   -7 46.4   1.048   1.350    83   12.0  18:32 ( 16, 46)  

* 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 will be getting higher gradually in the morning sky. Finally it becomes observable also in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  16  0.33  -34 15.7   2.975   2.241    34   12.4   5:36 (315,  2)  
Jan.  5  16  4.96  -32 58.3   2.929   2.272    40   12.4   5:38 (318,  6)  

* 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 14.0 mag still now (Dec. 13, Sandor Szabo).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   9 39.38   -9 35.4   4.009   4.628   123   13.2   3:09 (  0, 45)  
Jan.  5   9 32.28  -10  6.4   3.988   4.692   131   13.3   2:35 (  0, 45)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

It brightened up to 11-12 mag in 2012. It is appearing in the morning sky now. 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. 29  15 34.48  -16 57.2   6.175   5.486    42   13.3   5:36 (308, 18)  
Jan.  5  15 34.95  -17  6.3   6.098   5.505    49   13.3   5:38 (313, 23)  

* C/2012 L2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 13.9 mag (Dec. 13, Hiroshi Abe). 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. 29  23 37.73   68 30.8   1.832   2.314   106   13.5  18:27 (167, 55)  
Jan.  5   0  4.81   65 10.6   1.791   2.249   104   13.3  18:32 (163, 57)  

* C/2012 T5 ( Bressi )

It brightened rapidly, and reached up to 15.1 mag in mid November (Nov. 15, Catalina Sky Survey). However, Hidetaka Sato reported that it is 15.8 mag on Dec. 6. Maybe the brightness evolution got slow down. The central condensation seems to be elongated on Jean-Francois Soulier's images on Dec. 11. 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. 29   1  5.34  -17  4.0   0.959   1.380    90   13.8  18:32 (  0, 38)  
Jan.  5   0 48.66  -20 21.0   0.982   1.251    79   13.4  18:32 ( 13, 34)  

* 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. 29  20 46.75   32 30.1   6.346   5.985    64   13.7  18:27 (106, 38)  
Jan.  5  20 49.33   31 46.3   6.408   5.977    60   13.7  18:32 (109, 32)  

* 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. 29  16 58.74  -20 24.8   3.773   2.884    21   13.9   5:36 (296,  1)  
Jan.  5  17 10.86  -20 59.8   3.732   2.882    26   13.9   5:38 (299,  4)  

* C/2012 J1 ( Catalina )

Now it is bright and visible visually at 12.8 mag (Dec. 8, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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. 29   0 22.71   20 13.9   2.913   3.166    95   13.9  18:27 ( 31, 73)  
Jan.  5   0 30.98   19 30.6   3.009   3.171    90   14.0  18:32 ( 45, 70)  

* 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 12.8 ma still now (Dec. 13, Sandor Szabo). 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. 29   8 38.22   17 24.7   1.920   2.815   150   14.0   2:09 (  0, 72)  
Jan.  5   8 20.53   15 43.8   1.919   2.865   160   14.2   1:24 (  0, 71)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is 12.2 mag (Dec. 23, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Extremely diffuse.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  13 59.16  -21 13.3   6.626   6.237    62   14.1   5:36 (330, 28)  
Jan.  5  14  2.36  -21 39.7   6.522   6.236    68   14.0   5:38 (337, 30)  

* C/2009 F4 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 14.0 mag (Nov. 15, Jakub Cerny). It keeps bright as 13-14 mag for a long time after this until 2013. It is observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It becomes observable in the extremely low sky from January to February in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   3  6.15  -50 41.5   5.930   6.065    93   14.2  20:32 (  0,  4)  
Jan.  5   3  2.17  -49 15.5   6.001   6.087    90   14.2  20:01 (  0,  6)  

* (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. It is not observable now.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  20  5.92  -29 25.0   3.515   2.627    21   14.3  18:27 ( 57, -4)  
Jan.  5  20 20.02  -28 50.5   3.553   2.638    18   14.3  18:32 ( 60, -7)  

* C/2012 L1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is visible visually at 13.7 mag (Dec. 23, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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. 29   3 27.77   81 51.7   1.620   2.263   118   14.6  20:55 (180, 44)  
Jan.  5   3 19.13   75 47.4   1.608   2.266   119   14.6  20:19 (180, 50)  

* 63P/Wild 1

Now it is 16.9 mag (Dec. 7, 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. 29  10 27.65   36 33.2   1.446   2.194   128   15.0   3:57 (180, 89)  
Jan.  5  10 30.17   36 36.7   1.366   2.164   133   14.7   3:32 (180, 88)  

* 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. 29  11 31.61   25 49.7   4.261   4.732   112   14.9   5:01 (  0, 81)  
Jan.  5  11 29.40   27 32.6   4.117   4.691   120   14.8   4:31 (  0, 82)  

* 168P/Hergenrother

It brightened very rapidly and unusually, and reached up to 10 mag. It is bright as 11.3 mag still now (Dec. 8, Carlos Labordena). However, it is getting diffuse rapidly. It keeps high for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere. But the comet will be fading after this. It is not observable after this 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. 29   1  0.97   43 11.0   1.097   1.712   110   14.8  18:29 (180, 82)  
Jan.  5   1 18.04   43 27.7   1.182   1.754   107   15.4  18:32 (164, 81)  

* 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. 29   0  6.35   69 12.6   3.123   3.571   109   15.6  18:27 (172, 55)  
Jan.  5   0 10.83   65 38.9   3.193   3.581   105   15.6  18:32 (165, 57)  

* 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. 29   2  4.88   39 53.1   1.154   1.871   121   15.6  19:33 (180, 85)  
Jan.  5   2 15.89   39 27.9   1.245   1.912   117   16.0  19:16 (180, 85)  

* C/2011 O1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.0 mag (Nov. 15, 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. 29  22 57.52  -75 50.6   4.428   4.057    61   15.8  18:27 (  8,-22)  
Jan.  5  23 23.89  -74 31.7   4.448   4.074    61   15.8  18:32 (  9,-21)  

* C/2012 S1 ( ISON )

Now it is 16.0 mag (Dec. 10, D. Pivato). 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. 29   7 54.31   30 35.0   4.357   5.293   160   15.9   1:25 (  0, 86)  
Jan.  5   7 47.39   30 54.9   4.256   5.219   167   15.8   0:50 (  0, 86)  

* 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. 29  14 14.42   -8 11.8   4.028   3.695    63   16.2   5:36 (319, 37)  
Jan.  5  14 20.75   -8 44.0   3.917   3.679    68   16.1   5:38 (326, 40)  

* 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 17.5 mag (Dec. 8, K. Hills). It keeps observable in good condition until 2013 spring while the comet will be fading gradually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  10 39.23    1  5.3   2.682   3.240   116   16.2   4:09 (  0, 56)  
Jan.  5  10 38.28    1  0.8   2.624   3.272   123   16.2   3:40 (  0, 56)  

* C/2012 V2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.5 mag (Dec. 8, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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. 29  22 36.82   59 21.9   3.035   3.294    96   16.6  18:27 (148, 56)  
Jan.  5  22 51.39   57 50.6   3.014   3.224    93   16.5  18:32 (143, 55)  

* 274P/2012 WX32 ( Tombaugh-Tenagra )

It was identified with an old comet discovered in 1931 by Tombaugh. It was unusually bright as 12.5 mag in 1931. Now it is 17.5 mag (Dec. 4, Mt. Lemmon Survey). It keeps 17.5 mag until March, and keeps observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   7  8.22   31 54.1   1.505   2.476   168   17.3   0:39 (  0, 87)  
Jan.  5   7  2.67   32 58.5   1.495   2.468   169   17.3   0:06 (  0, 88)  

* 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. 29   3 17.53  -75 46.3   4.981   4.847    76   17.3  20:42 (  0,-21)  
Jan.  5   2 51.38  -74 55.5   5.008   4.844    74   17.4  19:49 (  0,-20)  

* 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. 29   7 40.28   38 54.1   6.200   7.125   158   17.5   1:11 (180, 86)  
Jan.  5   7 34.39   39 36.8   6.196   7.137   161   17.5   0:37 (180, 85)  

* P/2012 US27 ( Siding Spring )

Although it was 18.7 mag on Oct. 18 (Siding Spring Survey), it brightened rapidly up to 17.2 mag (Dec. 4, Hidetaka Sato). 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. 29   0 26.82  -11 59.1   1.696   1.870    83   17.6  18:27 ( 11, 43)  
Jan.  5   0 33.56   -8 11.7   1.753   1.855    79   17.6  18:32 ( 21, 45)  

* C/2010 R1 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 16.5 mag in 2012. It will be observable in good condition again at 17.5 mag in 2013 spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  14 22.85    1 10.4   6.192   5.851    65   17.6   5:36 (309, 44)  
Jan.  5  14 22.19    1 20.3   6.086   5.865    72   17.6   5:38 (318, 48)  

* 175P/Hergenrother

Now it is 19.2 mag (Dec. 17, iTelescope Observatory, Mayhill). It keeps observable in good condition at 17 mag from January to June. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   9 27.33   14 48.7   1.428   2.257   138   17.8   2:57 (  0, 70)  
Jan.  5   9 27.32   15 13.5   1.351   2.231   145   17.6   2:30 (  0, 70)  

* 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. 29   9 42.45   15 41.3   3.377   4.130   134   17.7   3:12 (  0, 71)  
Jan.  5   9 40.39   15 52.0   3.314   4.138   142   17.7   2:43 (  0, 71)  

* 65P/Gunn

It brightened up to 12 mag in 2010. Now it is 17.7 mag (Dec. 8, J. F. Soulier). Now the comet is around the aphelion. But it will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from autumn to winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   3 56.30   20 33.1   3.865   4.694   143   17.8  21:23 (  0, 76)  
Jan.  5   3 53.31   20 31.7   3.945   4.702   135   17.8  20:52 (  0, 76)  

* P/2012 B1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.1 mag (Dec. 2, Catalina Sky Survey). It will be observable at 17-18 mag for a long time from 2013 to 2014.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  12 15.41    4 59.0   3.772   3.995    95   17.9   5:36 (356, 60)  
Jan.  5  12 18.42    4 44.5   3.658   3.984   102   17.8   5:20 (  0, 60)  

* 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 not observable in the Southern Hemisphere, but it will be observable in good condition after the end of 2013 May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  23 25.20   33 60.0   4.490   4.596    89   17.9  18:27 ( 94, 71)  
Jan.  5  23 26.69   32 19.0   4.585   4.578    83   17.9  18:32 ( 93, 64)  

* 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. 29   1 51.79   11 34.2   3.303   3.791   112   19.2  19:19 (  0, 67)  
Jan.  5   1 53.68   11 40.5   3.388   3.778   105   19.2  18:53 (  0, 67)  

* 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. 29   6 14.27   39 54.7   2.303   3.256   162   20.8  23:40 (180, 85)  
Jan.  5   6  7.13   40 49.9   2.346   3.280   158   21.0  23:06 (180, 84)  

---------------------------------------------------------------------

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