Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2015 Dec. 19: South)

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Updated on December 23, 2015
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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/2013 US10 ( Catalina )

Now it is 6.2 mag (Dec. 18, Carlos Labordena). It was expected to brighten up to 4-5 mag from autumn to winter. However, the brightness evolution has stopped in September. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is appearing in the morning sky. It will be observable in excellent condition after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is hardly observable after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  14 17.26    1 42.2   1.168   1.029    56    5.7   2:54 (265,  4)  
Dec. 26  14 16.09    9 31.5   1.018   1.108    67    5.6   2:57 (254,  6)  

* C/2014 S2 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened very rapidly. Now it is so bright as 8.6 mag (Dec. 16, Neil Norman). It is observable at 9-10 mag until spring in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps unobservable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  16 52.10   62 27.0   1.920   2.103    86    9.3   2:54 (214,-45)  
Dec. 26  16 54.79   62  1.4   1.919   2.109    86    9.4   2:57 (215,-42)  

* C/2013 X1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is so bright as 9.9 mag (Dec. 17, Marco Goiato). It will pass close to the earth from spring to summer, and it is expected to be observable at 6-7 mag in good condition. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemispehre. It locates very low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   0 34.32   28 31.4   1.635   2.192   111   10.0  20:58 (149, 19)  
Dec. 26   0 17.42   24 42.7   1.717   2.120    99    9.9  21:02 (137, 16)  

* P/2010 V1 ( Ikeya-Murakami )

First return of a periodic comet which brightened up to 8 mag in major outburst in 2010. It will be observable in excellent condition from winter to spring. Now it is not detected, fainter than 20 mag (Dec. 9, Jean-Francois Soulier).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   9 33.14   32 13.2   0.955   1.752   129   12.1   2:54 (192, 22)  
Dec. 26   9 40.17   32 24.1   0.887   1.725   134   11.6   2:57 (186, 22)  

* 10P/Tempel 2

It brightened very rapidly. Now it is bright as 9.2 mag (Nov. 30, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It keeps 11-13 mag until February. But it keeps very low.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  20 55.03  -23 13.4   2.013   1.464    43   11.7  20:58 ( 72, 15)  
Dec. 26  21 19.48  -21 59.9   2.058   1.484    42   11.9  21:02 ( 72, 12)  

* 22P/Kopff

Now it is bright as 9.7 mag (Nov. 30, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is observable in the evening low sky until early December in the Southern Hemisphere, or until late December in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  20  3.48  -21 20.1   2.403   1.654    32   11.8  20:58 ( 66,  4)  
Dec. 26  20 25.24  -20 23.7   2.455   1.678    30   12.0  21:02 ( 66,  1)  

* C/2014 W2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is bright as 11.9 mag (Dec. 8, Carlos Labordena). It keeps 12 mag for a long time from 2015 autumn to 2016 summer. In the Northern Hemispehre, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time. It keeps unobservable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  18 48.29   77 23.5   2.444   2.807   101   12.2  20:58 (165,-41)  
Dec. 26  19 10.87   74 47.6   2.463   2.785    98   12.2  21:02 (162,-42)  

* C/2015 X8 ( NEOWISE )

New bright comet. Now it is 12.8 mag (Dec. 19, Michael Jager). It looks diffuse visually. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps 13 mag within December, but it will be fading rapidly after January. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  12 21.74   39 18.1   0.968   1.472    97   12.8   2:54 (220,  0)  
Dec. 26  11 56.80   52  4.7   0.874   1.533   111   12.8   2:57 (204, -4)  

* 249P/LINEAR

Appearing in the evening sky. Now it is bright as 12.0-12.5 mag (Dec. 8, Michael Jager). It tends to brighten very rapidly around the perihelion passage. It will fade out very rapidly after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  20 29.00  -14 50.3   1.040   0.687    39   13.0  20:58 ( 76,  5)  
Dec. 26  21 23.43  -11 23.8   1.022   0.786    46   13.9  21:02 ( 82,  8)  

* C/2014 Q2 ( Lovejoy )

It brightened up to 3.7 mag and became a naked eye comet in mid January in 2015 (Jan. 13, Marek Biely). Now it is fading. But it is bright as 11.9 mag still now (Nov. 25, Thomas Lehmann). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time until the comet fades out, although it becomes low temporarily in December. It is not observable until March in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  17 38.76   20 41.4   4.904   4.253    44   13.1   2:54 (277,-47)  
Dec. 26  17 45.20   20 21.3   4.970   4.322    44   13.2   2:57 (274,-42)  

* 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Now it is 12.5 mag (Nov. 20, Seiichi Yoshida). It will be fading slowly after this. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition. It will be getting higher gradually after this also in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  12  7.10    7 56.1   1.682   1.920    88   13.6   2:54 (239, 25)  
Dec. 26  12 13.53    7 35.1   1.652   1.974    93   13.7   2:57 (234, 30)  

* 81P/Wild 2

Now it is 15.2 mag (Dec. 7, Jean-Francois Soulier). It will brighten up to 11 mag from spring to summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition while the comet will be brightening. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   5 37.16   19 12.5   1.528   2.510   175   14.0  23:45 (180, 36)  
Dec. 26   5 29.50   19 12.8   1.497   2.468   168   13.9  23:10 (180, 36)  

* 116P/Wild 4

Now it is 14.9 mag (Nov. 13, Hidetaka Sato). It will brighten up to 13 mag from winter to spring. It will be observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. 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  13 46.54  -10  8.0   2.547   2.193    58   14.1   2:54 (271, 17)  
Dec. 26  13 59.39  -11 26.1   2.475   2.190    61   14.0   2:57 (269, 22)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

It is not observable now. It will appear in the morning sky in February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  18 26.47  -27 57.8   6.945   5.980    10   14.0  20:58 ( 47, -9)  
Dec. 26  18 32.80  -27 49.7   6.955   5.978     5   14.0  21:02 ( 43,-12)  

* C/2011 KP36 ( Spacewatch )

Now it is 14.8 mag (Nov. 22, Catalina Sky Survey). Distant object, but it keeps observable at 14-15 mag for a long time from 2015 to 2016.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  21 43.85   -7 42.1   5.451   5.019    59   14.7  20:58 ( 92, 16)  
Dec. 26  21 49.65   -7 32.3   5.529   5.008    53   14.7  21:02 ( 88, 10)  

* C/2014 W11 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened very rapidly in 2015 spring, and reached up to 13.8 mag (May 11, Sandor Szabo). It is bright as 15.5 mag still now (Dec. 20, Jean-Francois Soulier). It keeps 15-16 mag for a while until spring. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. 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  13 33.26  -21 47.0   4.123   3.690    57   15.4   2:54 (279, 26)  
Dec. 26  13 40.26  -22 44.1   4.056   3.710    62   15.4   2:57 (277, 31)  

* 329P/2015 T1 ( LINEAR-Catalina )

First return of a periodic comet discovered in 2003. Now it is 15.5 mag (Nov. 15, Yuji Ohshima). It is brightening very rapidly. It will approach to the earth from autumn to winter, and it will brighten up to 15 mag and observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   4 39.71   13 45.3   0.703   1.666   161   15.4  22:48 (180, 41)  
Dec. 26   4 36.62   17 24.0   0.728   1.675   156   15.4  22:18 (180, 37)  

* C/2014 Q1 ( PanSTARRS )

It approached to the sun down to 0.3 a.u. on July 6, and brighted up to 3.9 mag (July 6, Thomas Lehmann). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 12.9 mag (Oct. 3, Chris Wyatt). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until the comet fades out. It will not be observable after this in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  17 47.44  -56  0.3   3.814   3.032    32   15.4  20:58 ( 24,  9)  
Dec. 26  18  3.72  -56 19.9   3.902   3.124    33   15.6   2:57 (336, 10)  

* 19P/Borrelly

Now it is 13.6 mag (Nov. 12, Sandor Szabo). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable after this while the comet will be fading. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere until January when the comet will fade down to 16 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  13 45.58   20 13.4   2.606   2.498    72   15.4   2:54 (246, -1)  
Dec. 26  13 54.06   20 20.5   2.576   2.548    77   15.5   2:57 (242,  4)  

* C/2013 V4 ( Catalina )

Now it is 15.7 mag (Nov. 11, Sandor Szabo). It keeps 15-16 mag for a long time until 2016. It keeps observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps unobservable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   3 49.00   74 45.8   4.569   5.214   126   15.5  21:58 (180,-20)  
Dec. 26   3 31.82   74 49.4   4.601   5.220   124   15.5  21:13 (180,-20)  

* C/2015 G2 ( MASTER )

It brightened up to 6.0 mag in mid May (May 14, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 15.6 mag (Nov. 12, Sandor Szabo). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition after this while the comet will be fading. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   6 34.37   37 29.5   2.324   3.275   162   15.5   0:48 (180, 18)  
Dec. 26   6 14.48   38  8.9   2.396   3.357   165   15.7   0:01 (180, 17)  

* 88P/Howell

It brightened up to 8.8 mag in 2015 spring (Apr. 3, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 13.5 mag (Nov. 11, Mike Wolle). It keeps observable until March when the comet becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   1 46.47    9 51.4   2.087   2.735   121   15.5  20:58 (159, 43)  
Dec. 26   1 47.83   10 10.0   2.215   2.778   115   15.8  21:02 (150, 40)  

* 230P/LINEAR

Now it is 14.0 mag and visible visually (Nov. 30, Chris Wyatt). Now it is passing near by the earth, and it is observable at 15 mag in excellent condition in December. It will fade out rapidly after January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   5  7.54    2 39.9   0.565   1.521   157   15.6  23:16 (180, 52)  
Dec. 26   5  6.31    5 59.5   0.587   1.538   155   15.7  22:48 (180, 49)  

* C/2014 N3 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 15.1 mag (Nov. 11, Sandor Szabo). It keeps 15 mag for a long time from 2014 to 2015. It is 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. 19   0 30.80   46  8.8   4.077   4.572   114   15.7  20:58 (157,  3)  
Dec. 26   0 29.72   45 58.1   4.189   4.603   108   15.7  21:02 (152,  0)  

* C/2014 A4 ( SONEAR )

Now it is 15.4 mag (Nov. 15, Yuji Ohshima). It will be fading slowly after this. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time until the comet fades out. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable in early January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   0 14.11   15  8.7   3.948   4.271   102   15.7  20:58 (137, 28)  
Dec. 26   0  9.86   15 18.6   4.090   4.283    94   15.8  21:02 (130, 22)  

* C/2015 F4 ( Jacques )

It brightened rapidly up to 10.4 mag from July to August (July 18, Maik Meyer). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 14.2 mag (Nov. 11, Sandor Szabo). It is observable in good condition 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. 19  21 56.81   46 51.9   2.123   2.344    90   15.8  20:58 (138,-15)  
Dec. 26  22 17.25   46 53.7   2.215   2.405    88   16.1  21:02 (137,-16)  

* 318P/2014 M6 ( McNaught-Hartley )

First return of a periodic comet discovered in 1994. It brightened up to 13.8 mag from summer to autumn (Sept. 7, Taras Prystavski). Now it is fading, but it is bright as 15.2 mag still now (Nov. 11, Sandor Szabo). It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  23 21.58  -13 10.7   2.486   2.502    79   16.0  20:58 (102, 39)  
Dec. 26  23 30.40  -11 18.5   2.581   2.516    75   16.1  21:02 (100, 33)  

* 61P/Shajn-Schaldach

Now it is 14.5 mag (Nov. 11, Sandor Szabo). It keeps observable at 15 mag in good condition for a while.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   2 12.90    4 22.2   1.473   2.196   125   16.1  20:58 (166, 50)  
Dec. 26   2 16.43    4 58.4   1.554   2.211   119   16.3  21:02 (156, 47)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

It brightened up to 11-12 mag in 2012. It has already faded down to 16.5 mag (July 9, Taras Prystavski). It is observable at 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  11 15.16   -7 14.5  10.528  10.640    93   16.3   2:54 (241, 45)  
Dec. 26  11 13.78   -7 16.1  10.444  10.678   101   16.3   2:57 (232, 51)  

* C/2015 V2 ( Johnson )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Nov. 5, Masayuki Suzuki). It was reported as 15.8 mag visually (Nov. 12, Sandor Szabo). It is expected to brighten up to 7 mag in 2017 summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until the highlight while the comet will be brightening. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until early 2017.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   8  6.35   61  9.9   5.363   6.100   135   16.5   2:19 (180, -6)  
Dec. 26   8  0.25   61 56.7   5.278   6.041   137   16.4   1:46 (180, -7)  

* 77P/Longmore

Now it is 17.5 mag (Nov. 13, Hidetaka Sato). It will brighten rapidly after this, and it will be observable at 14-15 mag in good condition from winter to summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  12 59.61    5 24.5   2.592   2.527    75   16.6   2:54 (250, 17)  
Dec. 26  13  7.67    4 10.9   2.489   2.510    79   16.5   2:57 (247, 23)  

* P/2015 Q1 ( Scotti )

Brightening very rapidly, and it keeps brightening even after the perihelion passage. Now it is very bright as 15.5 mag (Nov. 21, Catalina Sky Survey). It keeps observable in excellent condition for a while.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   6  5.06  -15 44.8   1.106   1.968   140   16.5   0:18 (180, 71)  
Dec. 26   5 59.66  -16  1.0   1.137   1.996   140   16.7  23:40 (180, 71)  

* 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4

Now it is 16.9 mag (Nov. 15, J. Bel). It will brighten up to 14 mag in 2016 summer. But it is not observable at the highlight. It keeps observable until March while the comet will be brightening gradually up to 15-16 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   0 24.81   -6 10.0   2.095   2.415    96   16.7  20:58 (123, 46)  
Dec. 26   0 30.25   -5 25.4   2.156   2.387    91   16.7  21:02 (117, 41)  

* C/2015 B2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.0 mag (Nov. 3, A. Maury, J.-F. Soulier, J.-G. Bosch, T. Noel). It keeps 16.5 mag for a long time in 2016, and it will be observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It is hardly observable in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   7 37.70  -61 22.8   3.437   3.612    92   16.8   1:51 (  0, 64)  
Dec. 26   7 11.20  -62 55.3   3.401   3.589    92   16.7   0:57 (  0, 62)  

* 204P/LINEAR-NEAT

Now it is 17.3 mag (Nov. 21, Catalina Sky Survey). It is observable at 16.5 mag in excellent condition from December to February. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   8 35.70   18 17.7   1.071   1.931   139   17.0   2:48 (180, 37)  
Dec. 26   8 36.41   18 55.8   1.033   1.933   147   16.8   2:21 (180, 36)  

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

It brightened up to 13 mag in 2014. It is bright as 14.8 mag visually still now (Nov. 11, Sandor Szabo). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   0 55.38    0 16.5   3.705   4.090   106   16.9  20:58 (137, 46)  
Dec. 26   0 56.79    0 42.0   3.825   4.106    99   17.0  21:02 (129, 41)  

* C/2015 YG1 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 16.5 mag (Dec. 20, Michael Jager). It must have been observable at 16-17 mag in good condition from summer to autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, but it was not discovered. It will be observable after mid January also in the Southern Hemisphere. However, it will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  12 59.40   37  7.9   1.815   2.070    90   17.0   2:54 (226, -4)  
Dec. 26  12 59.46   36 26.7   1.786   2.121    95   17.0   2:57 (222,  1)  

* 65P/Gunn

Now it is 16.9 mag (Nov. 17, J. Nicolas, C. Rinner, F. Kugel, A. Klotz). It will brighten up to 14 mag in 2017. In 2016, it keeps observable at 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  11 59.60   10 22.4   3.913   4.048    90   17.0   2:54 (236, 25)  
Dec. 26  12  2.75   10 18.3   3.792   4.032    97   17.0   2:57 (230, 30)  

* 211P/Hill

Now it is 17.4 mag (Nov. 21, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). It is observable at 17 mag in good condition in winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   8 23.83   15 12.0   1.512   2.365   141   17.1   2:36 (180, 40)  
Dec. 26   8 22.09   16 19.9   1.459   2.360   149   17.0   2:07 (180, 39)  

* C/2015 T4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.1 mag (Nov. 17, K. Hills). It will brighten up to 16 mag in 2016 summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable only until next March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   4 42.57  -20 39.4   2.279   3.040   133   17.1  22:50 (180, 76)  
Dec. 26   4 31.03  -22 34.2   2.291   2.993   127   17.1  22:11 (180, 78)  

* C/2015 GX ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.0 mag (Nov. 12, Sandor Szabo). It is observable at 16-17 mag in good condition from October to December 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. 19   1 16.69   42  9.7   1.680   2.355   122   17.2  20:58 (163, 10)  
Dec. 26   1 21.17   37  7.4   1.792   2.398   116   17.4  21:02 (156, 13)  

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

Now it is 17.2 mag (Nov. 18, Catalina Sky Survey). Now it is near the aphelion. It is observable at 17 mag in good condition from autumn to winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   3 13.03   15  5.9   3.412   4.243   143   17.2  21:22 (180, 40)  
Dec. 26   3 10.35   15  5.0   3.475   4.234   135   17.2  21:02 (177, 40)  

* 252P/LINEAR

It will brighten very rapidly and reach up to 10 mag in March. In this apparition, it keeps observable in excellent condition both brightening and fading period. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable temporarily in mid March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   6 46.12   -4 22.4   0.594   1.522   148   17.7   0:59 (180, 59)  
Dec. 26   6 42.09   -6 59.8   0.527   1.460   148   17.3   0:27 (180, 62)  

* C/2014 B1 ( Schwartz )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Nov. 7, K. Sarneczky). It keeps 17.5 mag for a long time from 2016 to 2019. It keeps locating near by the equator.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   8 13.77   -0 59.1   9.442  10.177   136   17.5   2:26 (180, 56)  
Dec. 26   8 12.53   -0 56.5   9.364  10.164   142   17.4   1:57 (180, 56)  

* 9P/Tempel 1

Now it is 19.2 mag (Dec. 8, Jean-Francois Soulier). It will be observable at 11 mag in good condition from spring to summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  11 50.88   13 38.2   2.252   2.520    94   17.8   2:54 (231, 24)  
Dec. 26  11 58.54   13 25.4   2.125   2.480    99   17.5   2:57 (227, 28)  

* 162P/Siding Spring

Now it is 17.1 mag (Nov. 17, K. Hills). It is observable in good condition 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. 19  11 34.23   45 15.0   1.584   2.109   108   17.5   2:54 (209,  1)  
Dec. 26  11 36.75   46 30.7   1.573   2.160   113   17.5   2:57 (204,  2)  

* 180P/NEAT

Now it is 18.3 mag (Nov. 15, Hidetaka Sato). It keeps observable at 17 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 48.17    5  1.9   2.753   2.490    64   17.6   2:54 (258,  8)  
Dec. 26  13 59.11    4 21.5   2.679   2.491    68   17.6   2:57 (256, 13)  

* C/2015 K1 ( MASTER )

Now it is 16.9 mag (Nov. 14, J. Bel). It keeps observable in good condition until the comet fades out. In 2014, it must have been observable at 14 mag in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  23 58.07    4 39.3   4.777   4.959    94   17.6  20:58 (126, 34)  
Dec. 26   0  0.06    5  5.7   4.941   5.011    88   17.7  21:02 (120, 28)  

* 44P/Reinmuth 2

Now it is 16.8 mag (Nov. 20, Catalina Sky Survey). It keeps observable in good condition for a while. But 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 37.79   25  0.4   1.964   2.865   151   17.6  21:47 (180, 30)  
Dec. 26   3 34.91   24 30.7   2.045   2.894   143   17.8  21:16 (180, 30)  

* C/2010 U3 ( Boattini )

It will pass the perihelion in 2019. However, it has not been brightening since the discovery in 2010. Now it is 17.6 mag (Nov. 13, E. Bryssinck). It keeps observable in excellent condition from autumn to next spring 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. 19   3 17.95   47 46.4  10.013  10.805   142   17.7  21:27 (180,  7)  
Dec. 26   3 15.32   47 41.0  10.043  10.781   136   17.7  21:02 (179,  7)  

* C/2013 G9 ( Tenagra )

It brightened up to 16 mag in early 2015. Now it is fading. It is observable at 18 mag from winter to spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  10 36.17  -23 41.9   5.724   5.893    95   17.7   2:54 (253, 63)  
Dec. 26  10 31.12  -24  7.3   5.632   5.915   101   17.7   2:57 (243, 70)  

* C/2015 TQ209 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.8 mag (Nov. 18, M. Adamovsky). It will brighten up to 13 mag in 2016 summer. But it is not observable around the highlight. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable until February when it brightens up to 17 mag. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable until April when it brightens up to 16 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   1 54.87   11 44.5   2.871   3.521   124   17.8  20:58 (162, 41)  
Dec. 26   1 53.40   11 22.1   2.895   3.450   116   17.7  21:02 (152, 39)  

* 194P/LINEAR

It has not been observed yet in this apparition. It tends to be brightest after the perihelion passage. It is observable at 17 mag in excellent condition until March 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. 19   5  5.91   46  8.6   0.908   1.850   155   17.9  23:15 (180,  9)  
Dec. 26   5  0.11   45 59.5   0.894   1.825   152   17.8  22:41 (180,  9)  

* C/2015 X4 ( Elenin )

New comet. Now it is 17.7 mag (Dec. 8, Yasukazu Ikari). It is observable at 18 mag in good condition until January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   5 52.97   19 19.5   2.434   3.416   175   17.8   0:06 (180, 36)  
Dec. 26   5 48.48   18 18.9   2.447   3.424   171   17.8  23:29 (180, 37)  

* C/2014 Y1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.7 mag (Nov. 30, Hidetaka Sato). It was expected to brighten up to 14 mag from winter to summer. But it is much fainter actually. It will be 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)  
Dec. 19  13 58.03   -9 44.7   2.672   2.268    55   17.8   2:54 (272, 15)  
Dec. 26  14 11.41  -11 33.3   2.599   2.257    59   17.8   2:57 (271, 19)  

* C/2012 K8 ( Lemmon )

It keeps 17-18 mag for a long time since 2013. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable at 18 mag in good condition also in this winter. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  14 28.49   53 35.2   7.209   7.240    87   17.9   2:54 (221,-26)  
Dec. 26  14 29.14   54 14.7   7.167   7.261    91   17.9   2:57 (218,-22)  

* C/2015 X7 ( ATLAS )

New comet. Now it is 17.6 mag (Dec. 17, A. Hidas). It keeps 17-18 mag for a long time until 2017 spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   7  6.66  -29 24.6   3.567   4.193   123   18.0   1:19 (180, 84)  
Dec. 26   7  2.57  -28 57.5   3.505   4.165   126   17.9   0:48 (180, 84)  

* 51P/Harrington

It brightened up to 15.9 mag in June as predicted (June 23, Ken-ichi Kadota). It was expected to be observable at 13 mag in good condition from summer to autumn. However, Jean-Gabriel Bosch detected the comet became disintegrating in July. Now it is so faint as 20.1 mag (Oct. 15, Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala). The fragment D and B are also observed as 18.6 mag (Oct. 31, Catalina Sky Survey) and 20.9 mag (Aug. 21, Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala) respectively.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   2  4.35    8 17.0   1.353   2.082   125   20.8  20:58 (164, 45)  
Dec. 26   2  8.93    9 14.9   1.453   2.118   119   21.1  21:02 (156, 43)  

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