Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2013 Apr. 20: North)

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Updated on April 28, 2013
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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/2012 F6 ( Lemmon )

It approached to the sun down to 0.73 A.U. on Mar. 24, and brightened up to 4.7 mag (Mar. 11, Michael Mattiazzo). Now it is 5.4 mag (Apr. 21, Marco Goiato). In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps locating low in the morning sky after this. It is not observable now in the Northern Hemisphere. But it becomes observable in May, and it keeps observable in good condition after that while fading gradually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20   0 13.76   -0 46.1   1.667   0.898    27    5.8   3:52 (266, -7)  
Apr. 27   0 15.50    5 11.1   1.691   0.981    31    6.3   3:41 (264,  0)  

* C/2011 L4 ( PanSTARRS )

It passed the perihelion on Mar. 10, and brightened up to 0-1 mag. Now it is fading. But it is still bright as 6.6 mag (Apr. 19, Yoshimi Nagai). In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be observable all night after May. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere for a while after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20   0 21.70   57 15.4   1.433   1.083    48    6.0   3:52 (216, 24)  
Apr. 27   0 16.04   63 42.0   1.493   1.219    54    6.5   3:41 (211, 29)  

* C/2012 L2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is so bright as 10.8 mag (Mar. 29, Marco Goiato). It will be unobservable soon in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time until the comet fades out, although it keeps locating low.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20   4 34.44   14 17.7   2.163   1.533    39   12.0  20:06 ( 97, 15)  
Apr. 27   4 48.78   11 37.7   2.198   1.518    36   12.0  20:14 ( 98,  9)  

* C/2011 R1 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 12.4 mag (Apr. 13, Sandor Szabo). It keeps observable at 11-13 mag for a long time from 2012 summer to 2013 summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  14 45.48    4 50.9   1.996   2.955   158   12.7   0:55 (  0, 60)  
Apr. 27  14 31.10    8  8.3   2.053   3.009   157   12.8   0:13 (  0, 63)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

It brightened up to 11-12 mag in 2012. Now it is 12.8 mag (Apr. 13, Sandor Szabo). 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)  
Apr. 20  14 27.53  -14 47.4   4.839   5.832   170   12.8   0:37 (  0, 40)  
Apr. 27  14 18.80  -14 16.2   4.850   5.857   179   12.8   0:00 (  0, 41)  

* C/2013 E2 ( Iwamoto )

Now it is bright as 12.0 mag (Apr. 15, Artyom Novichonok). It keeps locating in the morning sky for a long time after this. I will keep the current brightness for a long time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  22 38.20    5 13.0   2.011   1.535    48   12.9   3:52 (275, 17)  
Apr. 27  22 56.76    6 25.7   2.024   1.576    49   13.0   3:41 (274, 17)  

* 246P/2010 V2 ( NEAT )

It brightened rapidly, and reached up to 12 mag in 2012. It is bright as 12.2 mag still now (Mar. 23, Marco Goiato). It keeps 12-14 mag until autumn. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  19 42.33  -25 51.9   2.616   2.913    96   13.2   3:52 (331, 23)  
Apr. 27  19 47.91  -26 17.4   2.530   2.919   102   13.1   3:41 (334, 24)  

* C/2010 S1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 14.1 mag (Apr. 3, Toshiyuki Takahashi). 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 became observable also in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  21 19.90   31 12.2   6.254   5.904    65   13.5   3:52 (259, 45)  
Apr. 27  21 19.19   31 33.7   6.173   5.902    69   13.5   3:41 (260, 49)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is faint, but visible visually at 14.3 mag (Apr. 16, Alan Hale).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  13 54.18  -23 30.1   5.235   6.221   167   13.5   0:03 (  0, 31)  
Apr. 27  13 50.93  -23 14.3   5.230   6.220   168   13.5  23:28 (  0, 32)  

* C/2011 J2 ( LINEAR )

It keeps 13 mag and observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere for a long time from 2013 to 2014. Now it is 14.5 mag (Mar. 4, Sandor Szabo). It locates extremely low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20   9 16.64   49 59.1   3.925   4.126    94   14.1  20:06 (155, 73)  
Apr. 27   9 10.50   50  9.9   4.007   4.092    87   14.1  20:14 (141, 68)  

* 63P/Wild 1

Now it is so bright as 11.6 mag (Apr. 2, Carlos Labordena). It will be fading gradually after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20   9 48.11   16 50.2   1.320   1.953   113   14.3  20:06 (  9, 71)  
Apr. 27   9 53.84   14 32.7   1.384   1.957   108   14.5  20:14 ( 27, 67)  

* C/2011 F1 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 9.0 mag in 2012 autumn (Nov. 4, Juan Jose Gonzalez). However, it faded out unexpectedly around the perihelion passage. It was expected to be 9-10 mag, but actually, it is much fainter as 13.8 mag (Apr. 16, Artyom Novichonok). In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition while fading slowly after this. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is hardly observable after 2013.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20   0 13.26  -43  7.4   2.567   2.222    58   14.4   3:52 (305,-28)  
Apr. 27   0 35.58  -42 59.8   2.575   2.272    61   14.5   3:41 (304,-29)  

* C/2012 V2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 14.4 mag (Apr. 13, Sandor Szabo). It will brighten up to 12 mag from summer to autumn. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable in late April. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps unobservable until August. Then it keeps observable while fading gradually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20   3  3.58   39 57.3   2.953   2.176    32   14.7  20:06 (130, 13)  
Apr. 27   3 20.91   38 44.6   2.938   2.110    28   14.6  20:14 (131,  9)  

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

Now it is 15.3 mag (Apr. 13, Sandor Szabo). 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)  
Apr. 20  14 36.73  -10 32.3   2.465   3.456   168   14.7   0:46 (  0, 44)  
Apr. 27  14 31.90  -10 21.3   2.438   3.442   175   14.6   0:13 (  0, 45)  

* (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 has already turned to be stellar. Appearing in the morning sky again in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  23 26.46  -16 29.6   3.418   2.805    45   14.6   3:52 (286, -6)  
Apr. 27  23 36.65  -15 43.8   3.365   2.817    49   14.6   3:41 (286, -4)  

* C/2012 S1 ( ISON )

Now it is 15.5 mag (Apr. 13, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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. It became unobservable in late May. The condition is excellent in the Northern Hemisphere. It will appear in the morning sky again in late August, then 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)  
Apr. 20   6 38.45   29 52.4   4.287   4.031    68   14.7  20:06 ( 98, 48)  
Apr. 27   6 40.29   29 36.5   4.312   3.946    62   14.6  20:14 (101, 41)  

* 46P/Wirtanen

It brightens up to 10 mag in summer. But the condition is worst and the comet will be hardly observable in this apparition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be observable in autumn when the comet will be fainter than 16 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20   1  6.10   -0 32.7   2.414   1.477    16   15.3   3:52 (258,-17)  
Apr. 27   1 26.61    1 47.4   2.349   1.420    17   14.8   3:41 (256,-16)  

* 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 bright as 15.2 mag still now (Mar. 4, Sandor Szabo).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20   8  8.65   -7 46.1   5.443   5.633    95   14.8  20:06 ( 37, 40)  
Apr. 27   8  8.37   -7 32.1   5.612   5.694    89   14.9  20:14 ( 47, 35)  

* C/2012 K6 ( McNaught )

Now it is 15.2 mag (Mar. 30, J. F. Hernandez). It reaches up to 15 mag from spring to summer. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  14 59.15  -44 52.6   2.505   3.366   143   14.9   1:09 (  0, 10)  
Apr. 27  14 38.63  -42 39.8   2.447   3.361   150   14.8   0:21 (  0, 12)  

* C/2009 F4 ( McNaught )

Now it is 14.1 mag (Mar. 5, Hidetaka Sato). It will be fading slowly after this. But it keeps 15 mag in 2013. It becomes temporarily low in May, but will be observable in good condition again after June in the Southern Hemisphere. It is not observable now in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20   3 22.97  -29  6.9   7.108   6.453    46   14.9  20:06 ( 70,-23)  
Apr. 27   3 26.89  -28 14.2   7.149   6.480    45   14.9  20:14 ( 74,-29)  

* C/2012 K1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 15.5 mag (Apr. 20, Taras Prystavski). It is expected to brighten up to 5-6 mag in 2014 autumn. In 2013, it keeps observable in good condition until autumn when it brigthens up to 13-14 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  17 21.84   17  1.4   5.430   6.006   120   15.5   3:30 (  0, 72)  
Apr. 27  17 17.43   17 51.5   5.301   5.942   125   15.4   2:58 (  0, 73)  

* C/2012 J1 ( Catalina )

It reached up to 12 mag from autumn to winter in 2012. Now it is not observable. But it will appear in the morning sky in July. Then it will be observable at 17 mag in good condition in autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20   3  4.63   17 54.6   4.346   3.411    18   15.4  20:06 (112, -1)  
Apr. 27   3 15.40   17 56.9   4.401   3.436    14   15.5  20:14 (116, -5)  

* P/2012 B1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is bright as 14.7 mag (Apr. 13, Sandor Szabo). It will be observable at 15-16 mag for a long time from 2013 to 2014.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  11 51.86    6 37.8   2.994   3.862   145   16.0  21:57 (  0, 62)  
Apr. 27  11 49.69    6 35.0   3.049   3.857   138   16.0  21:27 (  0, 62)  

* 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. Now it is fading, but still bright as 13.5 mag (Apr. 13, Sandor Szabo). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in excellent condition while fading after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps locating extremely low after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  12 48.84   53 27.7   1.534   2.146   113   16.0  22:50 (180, 72)  
Apr. 27  12 13.29   51 10.4   1.686   2.235   109   16.6  21:49 (180, 74)  

* 197P/LINEAR

Now it is unusually bright in outburst. It was faint as 18.5 mag on Apr. 10, but brightened up to 16.1 mag on Apr. 16 (Hidetaka Sato).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  22 40.62  -23  5.4   1.252   1.116    58   16.1   3:52 (298, -1)  
Apr. 27  23  9.03  -22 41.5   1.279   1.147    58   16.4   3:41 (296, -3)  

* C/2011 O1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.1 mag (Mar. 4, Hidetaka Sato). In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be observable at 15-16 mag in good condition for a long time until 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)  
Apr. 20   3 25.39  -50  8.9   4.754   4.423    64   16.3  20:06 ( 48,-31)  
Apr. 27   3 36.56  -48 49.6   4.783   4.452    64   16.4  20:14 ( 51,-35)  

* C/2013 F3 ( McNaught )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Apr. 11, Hidetaka Sato). It keeps 16 mag and observable in good condition until July.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  19 32.98  -16 28.4   1.928   2.288    97   16.5   3:52 (329, 32)  
Apr. 27  19 30.16  -12 40.7   1.807   2.275   104   16.4   3:41 (332, 38)  

* 125P/Spacewatch

Now it is 16.6 mag (Apr. 2, Hidetaka Sato). It keeps observable at 16 mag in the morning sky from February to April.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  21  1.08   -8 11.3   1.591   1.643    74   16.4   3:52 (303, 27)  
Apr. 27  21 15.61   -7 13.2   1.561   1.669    77   16.6   3:41 (303, 28)  

* 152P/Helin-Lawrence

It brightened up to 15.5 mag in 2012 summer. Although it has already passed the perihelion, it tends to become brightest after the perihelion passage. It will be observabel at 16 mag again in 2013 summer. Now it is 18.1 mag, fainter than this ephemeris (Apr. 11, Hidetaka Sato).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  21 56.86  -18 27.2   3.756   3.455    65   16.5   3:52 (301, 10)  
Apr. 27  22  4.03  -18  7.9   3.680   3.470    70   16.4   3:41 (302, 12)  

* P/2012 F2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Mar. 16, Hidetaka Sato). It keeps observable in good condition at 17 mag from spring to summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  18 45.64  -12 46.6   2.421   2.898   108   16.7   3:52 (340, 40)  
Apr. 27  18 49.23  -11 53.6   2.341   2.900   113   16.6   3:41 (344, 42)  

* C/2012 S3 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.9 mag (Apr. 4, Toshiyuki Takahashi). It is expected to brighten up to 14 mag in July and August. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time until the comet fades out. It keeps observable in good condition until September also in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  22  1.12   23 19.7   3.179   2.744    55   16.9   3:52 (263, 34)  
Apr. 27  22  3.85   23  4.9   3.054   2.704    60   16.7   3:41 (265, 36)  

* C/2012 X1 ( LINEAR )

It is expected to brighten up to 11 mag and become observable in excellent condition in 2014 spring. Now it is 16.8 mag (Apr. 17, A. Klotz, F. Kugel, J. Caron). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until early summer. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20   8 32.88   40 50.7   3.866   3.999    90   17.0  20:06 (115, 72)  
Apr. 27   8 34.60   40 40.8   3.905   3.933    84   16.9  20:14 (112, 66)  

* 257P/2012 F4 ( Catalina )

Now it is 18.3 mag (Apr. 11, Hidetaka Sato). It is expected to be observable at 16 mag in good condition in summer and autumn. But it is fainter than predicted recently.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  21 57.65    5 38.5   2.516   2.158    57   17.1   3:52 (281, 25)  
Apr. 27  22 10.80    7  9.2   2.452   2.150    60   17.1   3:41 (280, 27)  

* C/2013 G2 ( McNaught )

New comet. Now it is 16.7 mag (Apr. 8, Siding Spring Survey). It will be fading after this. It locates low in the Northern Hempshere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  20 19.33  -36  0.5   2.437   2.654    91   17.2   3:52 (329, 10)  
Apr. 27  20 12.71  -34 50.6   2.357   2.700    98   17.2   3:41 (333, 14)  

* 175P/Hergenrother

Now it is bright as 15.8 mag (Apr. 10, Catalina Sky Survey). It keeps observable in good condition at 16-17 mag until June. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20   9 17.99   21 28.3   1.444   1.965   105   17.2  20:06 ( 37, 74)  
Apr. 27   9 26.93   20 52.1   1.503   1.958   100   17.3  20:14 ( 51, 69)  

* P/2005 L1 ( McNaught )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 2005. It will be observable at 17 mag for a long time from 2013 to 2014. However, it has not been recovered yet. Not it is fainter than 19.5 mag (Feb. 21, Martin Masek).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  17 23.80  -13 47.8   2.581   3.298   128   17.4   3:32 (  0, 41)  
Apr. 27  17 23.12  -13 34.7   2.500   3.290   134   17.3   3:04 (  0, 41)  

* 91P/Russell 3

It was observed around 20 mag in 2012 spring. But it has not been observed recently. It will be observable at 17.5 mag from spring to summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  18 25.75  -20 50.4   2.062   2.634   113   17.5   3:52 (348, 33)  
Apr. 27  18 28.47  -20  7.3   1.988   2.639   119   17.4   3:41 (352, 34)  

* C/2010 R1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Apr. 17, M. Brusa, L. Sempio). 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)  
Apr. 20  13  1.73    8 55.7   5.190   6.122   156   17.4  23:06 (  0, 64)  
Apr. 27  12 54.15    9 19.0   5.258   6.142   149   17.5  22:31 (  0, 64)  

* C/2013 G6 ( Lemmon )

New comet. Now it is 18.1 mag (Apr. 20, P. C. Sherrod). It brightens up to 17.5 mag in May and June.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  16  0.72  -12 19.7   1.431   2.346   148   18.0   2:10 (  0, 43)  
Apr. 27  15 30.96  -14  0.7   1.329   2.307   162   17.7   1:13 (  0, 41)  

* C/2013 H1 ( La Sagra )

New comet. Now it is 17.8 mag (Apr. 21, Catalina Sky Survey). It brightens up to 18 mag at best in May and June.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  15  8.12   16 57.9   1.769   2.660   145   18.0   1:17 (  0, 72)  
Apr. 27  15  4.45   16 26.1   1.743   2.649   147   17.9   0:46 (  0, 71)  

* 98P/Takamizawa

It was predicted to be already 16-17 mag. But actually, it is 19.8 mag, much fainter than predicted by 4 mag (Apr. 3, Jean-Francois Soulier). It was expected to brighten up to 14 mag and to be observable in excellent condition in summer. However, it can be fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 20  15 21.26    2 23.9   1.019   1.971   153   19.9   1:30 (  0, 57)  
Apr. 27  15 18.78    3  0.5   0.969   1.937   157   19.7   1:00 (  0, 58)  

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