Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2016 Jan. 9: South)

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 Updated on January 11, 2016
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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 (Jan. 8, Maik Meyer). It was expected to brighten up to 4-5 mag from autumn to winter. But actually, it is 6 mag at best. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be observable in excellent condition after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable after this. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  14  7.37   34 13.1   0.775   1.281    92    6.2   3:11 (224,  3)  
Jan. 16  13 52.35   51 41.5   0.726   1.372   105    6.4   3:20 (206, -4)

* C/2013 X1 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened in outburst in early January. Now it is very bright as 8.0 mag (Jan. 8, Maik Meyer). It will pass close to the earth from spring to summer, and it is expected to brighten up to 4-5 mag. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable in late February. It will appear in the morning sky again in late April, but it locates low in the south around the high light. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable soon. But after appearing in the morning sky again in mid April, it will be observable in excellent condition. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  23 55.31   18 26.0   1.912   1.977    79    8.1  21:02 (119,  8)  
Jan. 16  23 48.46   15 58.4   2.012   1.908    69    8.0  20:58 (113,  4)

* C/2014 S2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is so bright as 9.0 mag (Jan. 8, Maik Meyer). 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)  
Jan.  9  16 56.48   62 17.0   1.906   2.131    89    8.9   3:11 (214,-34)  
Jan. 16  16 54.68   62 56.8   1.895   2.146    90    9.0   3:20 (212,-30)

* C/2014 W2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is bright as 12.4 mag (Jan. 9, Seiichi Yoshida). 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)  
Jan.  9  19 41.51   70 25.0   2.518   2.747    92   12.1  21:02 (158,-45)  
Jan. 16  19 52.90   68 41.7   2.551   2.731    89   12.1  20:58 (156,-47)

* 10P/Tempel 2

Now it is 11.8 mag (Jan. 8, Giuseppe Pappa). 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)  
Jan.  9  22  6.19  -18 59.5   2.159   1.533    39   12.2  21:02 ( 73,  9)  
Jan. 16  22 28.35  -17 16.8   2.215   1.561    37   12.4  20:58 ( 75,  8)

* 22P/Kopff

It is already unobservable in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be unobservable soon also in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  21  6.86  -18  5.4   2.564   1.734    25   12.4  21:02 ( 66, -3)  
Jan. 16  21 26.68  -16 46.2   2.620   1.765    23   12.6  20:58 ( 66, -4)

* C/2015 X8 ( NEOWISE )

New bright comet. Now it is 12.7 mag (Jan. 9, Seiichi Yoshida). It looks extremely diffuse. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. However, it will be fading rapidly after this. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   8  2.00   75  0.3   0.864   1.653   126   13.1   1:04 (180,-20)  
Jan. 16   4 52.70   71  5.5   0.966   1.722   123   13.5  21:04 (180,-16)

* 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 12.5 mag still now (Dec. 9, Thomas Lehmann). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time until the comet fades out. It is not observable until March in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  17 57.26   20  0.7   5.076   4.458    46   13.4   3:11 (266,-30)  
Jan. 16  18  2.81   19 59.5   5.117   4.526    48   13.5   3:20 (262,-24)

* 81P/Wild 2

Now it is 12.5 mag (Jan. 8, Giuseppe Pappa). 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)  
Jan.  9   5 15.18   19 18.1   1.476   2.385   151   13.5  22:01 (180, 36)  
Jan. 16   5  9.43   19 23.8   1.484   2.344   142   13.4  21:28 (180, 36)

* 116P/Wild 4

Now it is 13.3 mag (Jan. 9, Seiichi Yoshida). 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)  
Jan.  9  14 24.45  -13 51.6   2.327   2.187    69   13.8   3:11 (265, 32)  
Jan. 16  14 36.53  -14 58.5   2.251   2.187    73   13.8   3:20 (262, 37)

* 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Now it is 13.3 mag (Dec. 8, Hiroshi Abe). It keeps observable in good condition after this, while the comet will be fading gradually. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  12 21.88    7 22.8   1.589   2.082   105   14.0   3:11 (220, 39)  
Jan. 16  12 23.62    7 31.9   1.558   2.136   112   14.1   3:20 (210, 43)

* 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)  
Jan.  9  18 45.47  -27 32.0   6.943   5.974     9   14.0   3:11 (313, -9)  
Jan. 16  18 51.74  -27 22.4   6.920   5.972    14   14.0   3:20 (308, -5)

* 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. It becomes unobservable temporarily from January to March in the Southern Hemisphere, or from February to April in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  22  2.07   -7  3.9   5.669   4.986    42   14.7  21:02 ( 82,  1)  
Jan. 16  22  8.64   -6 45.8   5.728   4.976    36   14.8  20:58 ( 80, -2)

* 230P/LINEAR

It keeps brightening even after the perihelion passage. Now it is 13.9 mag and visible visually (Jan. 9, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps observable in excellent condition for a while. But it will be fading after this. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   5  7.85   12 32.5   0.661   1.582   147   14.8  21:54 (180, 42)  
Jan. 16   5 11.12   15 30.8   0.712   1.608   142   15.0  21:30 (180, 39)

* 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)  
Jan.  9  13 52.88  -24 31.9   3.911   3.750    73   15.4   3:11 (272, 44)  
Jan. 16  13 58.37  -25 22.0   3.834   3.770    78   15.4   3:20 (269, 50)

* C/2013 V4 ( Catalina )

Now it is 15.7 mag (Dec. 19, Y. Sugiyama). 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)  
Jan.  9   3  4.10   74 27.6   4.693   5.233   118   15.5  21:02 (175,-20)  
Jan. 16   2 54.46   74  7.8   4.751   5.241   114   15.6  20:58 (173,-21)

* 249P/LINEAR

Now it is bright as 13 mag (Jan. 8, Giuseppe Pappa). 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)  
Jan.  9  23  0.17   -3 46.7   1.091   0.992    56   15.6  21:02 ( 94, 12)  
Jan. 16  23 40.73   -0 15.3   1.168   1.095    60   16.5  20:58 ( 99, 13)

* 329P/2015 T1 ( LINEAR-Catalina )

First return of a periodic comet discovered in 2003. Now it is 15.1 mag (Dec. 17, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). 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)  
Jan.  9   4 35.60   24  3.1   0.811   1.702   142   15.7  21:22 (180, 31)  
Jan. 16   4 38.19   26 54.0   0.868   1.721   136   15.8  20:58 (180, 28)

* 19P/Borrelly

Now it is 15.8 mag (Dec. 7, Yuji Ohshima). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable after this while the comet will be fading. 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)  
Jan.  9  14  8.23   21  0.0   2.510   2.646    86   15.7   3:11 (233, 13)  
Jan. 16  14 13.78   21 32.3   2.475   2.695    91   15.8   3:20 (227, 17)

* 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 in October (Oct. 3, Chris Wyatt). No observations have been reported since November. In the Southern 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)  
Jan.  9  18 34.74  -56 54.6   4.054   3.304    35   15.9   3:11 (332, 14)  
Jan. 16  18 49.45  -57 11.2   4.118   3.393    37   16.0   3:20 (330, 16)

* C/2014 N3 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 15.3 mag (Dec. 13, D. Buczynski). It keeps 15 mag for a long time from 2014 to 2015. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It will not be observable after this in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   0 30.75   45 47.4   4.426   4.666    98   15.9  21:02 (145, -5)  
Jan. 16   0 32.69   45 48.6   4.547   4.699    92   16.0  20:58 (142, -8)

* C/2014 A4 ( SONEAR )

Now it is 15.4 mag (Dec. 8, Yasukazu Ikari). It will be fading slowly after this. It will be unobservable soon in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be unobservable in early March also in the Northern Hemisphere. But it will be observable again at 17 mag in good condition in autumn. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   0  4.37   15 49.8   4.374   4.310    79   16.0  21:02 (119, 12)  
Jan. 16   0  2.92   16 11.2   4.513   4.325    72   16.1  20:58 (115,  7)

* 77P/Longmore

Now it is 16.7 mag (Dec. 11, D. Buczynski). 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)  
Jan.  9  13 22.08    1 48.5   2.281   2.479    89   16.2   3:11 (239, 34)  
Jan. 16  13 28.25    0 39.8   2.178   2.464    94   16.0   3:20 (233, 40)

* C/2015 V2 ( Johnson )

Now it is 16.0 mag (Dec. 12, J. Lozano). 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)  
Jan.  9   7 44.99   63 13.6   5.141   5.916   138   16.3   0:36 (180, -8)  
Jan. 16   7 36.28   63 41.0   5.095   5.857   137   16.2  23:55 (180, -9)

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

It brightened up to 11-12 mag in 2012. It has already faded down to 17.2 mag (Dec. 19, Yuji Ohshima). It is observable at 16-17 mag in good condition from winter to spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  11 10.07   -7 12.9  10.285  10.752   115   16.3   3:11 (205, 60)  
Jan. 16  11  7.76   -7  8.0  10.216  10.790   123   16.3   3:20 (185, 62)

* 104P/Kowal 2

The brightness differs in every apparition. It was not observed in the last apparition. It has not been observed yet in this apparition. It is expected to be observable at 14-15 mag in the evening sky from winter to spring. It locates extremely low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  22 41.24   -2 13.3   1.875   1.509    53   16.5  21:02 ( 92,  7)  
Jan. 16  22 58.77   -1  5.8   1.871   1.460    50   16.3  20:58 ( 92,  5)

* 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. It has already faded down to 16.1 mag (Dec. 11, MASTER-IAC Observatory, Tenerife). 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)  
Jan.  9  23 49.07   -7 36.1   2.772   2.548    66   16.3  21:02 ( 98, 24)  
Jan. 16  23 58.83   -5 46.4   2.867   2.566    62   16.4  20:58 ( 97, 20)

* 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 15.9 mag (Dec. 15, S. Shurpakov). 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)  
Jan.  9   1 53.59   11  0.7   2.485   2.862   102   16.3  21:02 (137, 33)  
Jan. 16   1 57.77   11 31.6   2.624   2.903    96   16.6  20:58 (133, 30)

* C/2015 X4 ( Elenin )

Now it is bright as 16.0 mag (Dec. 17, P. Bacci, L. Tesi, G. Fagioli). It keeps observable in good condition for a while. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   5 40.55   16 26.1   2.519   3.443   156   16.4  22:27 (180, 39)  
Jan. 16   5 37.52   15 35.8   2.575   3.453   148   16.4  21:56 (180, 39)

* 9P/Tempel 1

Now it is 18.6 mag (Dec. 17, A. Klotz, F. Kugel, C. Rinner). 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)  
Jan.  9  12 12.07   13 19.9   1.879   2.400   109   16.9   3:11 (213, 35)  
Jan. 16  12 17.72   13 28.7   1.762   2.360   115   16.6   3:20 (205, 38)

* 61P/Shajn-Schaldach

It brightened up to 14.5 mag in autumn (Nov. 11, Sandor Szabo). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 16.7 mag (Dec. 14, L. Elenin). It will be fainter than 18 mag in March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   2 26.88    6 28.5   1.730   2.244   108   16.6  21:02 (143, 41)  
Jan. 16   2 33.62    7 20.0   1.824   2.262   103   16.7  20:58 (139, 38)

* 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4

Now it is 16.9 mag (Nov. 15, J. Bel). It will brighten up to 14 mag in 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)  
Jan.  9   0 44.05   -3 37.9   2.277   2.333    80   16.6  21:02 (111, 32)  
Jan. 16   0 52.28   -2 36.4   2.336   2.306    76   16.6  20:58 (109, 28)

* 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 fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in April. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  12 54.26   35 24.2   1.875   2.361   107   16.6   3:11 (211, 11)  
Jan. 16  12 48.51   35  1.3   1.827   2.399   113   16.6   3:20 (203, 15)

* 204P/LINEAR-NEAT

Now it is 16.8 mag (Dec. 18, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). 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)  
Jan.  9   8 33.19   20 35.1   0.985   1.945   162   16.7   1:23 (180, 35)  
Jan. 16   8 29.79   21 31.4   0.976   1.953   170   16.6   0:52 (180, 34)

* 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)  
Jan.  9   6  9.75  -64 12.6   3.364   3.547    92   16.6  22:53 (  0, 61)  
Jan. 16   5 38.71  -63 51.9   3.364   3.527    91   16.6  21:54 (  0, 61)

* C/2015 T4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.9 mag (Dec. 13, K. Hills). It keeps 16-17 mag for a long time until 2016 autumn. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable only until March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   4  9.93  -25 25.7   2.357   2.901   114   16.7  21:02 (172, 80)  
Jan. 16   4  1.06  -26 24.2   2.405   2.857   107   16.7  20:58 (133, 78)

* C/2015 F4 ( Jacques )

It brightened up to 10.4 mag from July to August (July 18, Maik Meyer). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 16.0 mag (Dec. 8, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Jan.  9  22 57.87   46 55.2   2.416   2.529    85   16.7  21:02 (135,-18)  
Jan. 16  23 17.83   46 55.5   2.524   2.592    82   17.0  20:58 (135,-19)

* 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)  
Jan.  9  12  7.07   10 24.8   3.555   4.002   110   16.8   3:11 (214, 38)  
Jan. 16  12  8.10   10 35.7   3.443   3.987   116   16.7   3:20 (203, 42)

* 211P/Hill

Now it is 17.0 mag (Dec. 16, Purple Mountain Observatory). 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)  
Jan.  9   8 15.00   19  3.3   1.387   2.354   166   16.9   1:05 (180, 36)  
Jan. 16   8 10.13   20 33.7   1.370   2.352   174   16.9   0:33 (180, 35)

* P/2015 Q1 ( Scotti )

Brightening very rapidly, and it keeps brightening even after the perihelion passage. Now it is very bright as 15.9 mag (Dec. 16, 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)  
Jan.  9   5 50.73  -15 19.3   1.224   2.055   136   16.9  22:37 (180, 70)  
Jan. 16   5 47.91  -14 28.2   1.280   2.086   133   17.1  22:06 (180, 69)

* 252P/LINEAR

Now it is 19.6 mag (Dec. 14, K. Hills). It will brighten very rapidly and reach up to 11 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)  
Jan.  9   6 29.18  -12 21.6   0.415   1.340   143   17.4  23:15 (180, 68)  
Jan. 16   6 21.03  -14 56.0   0.369   1.282   138   16.9  22:39 (180, 70)

* 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 16.4 mag (Dec. 7, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Jan.  9   5 38.69   38 33.0   2.612   3.518   153   17.1  22:24 (180, 16)  
Jan. 16   5 23.92   38 24.6   2.751   3.598   144   17.4  21:42 (180, 17)

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

It brightened up to 13 mag in 2014. Now it is 16.0 mag (Dec. 16, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Jan.  9   1  1.60    1 43.1   4.070   4.136    86   17.1  21:02 (119, 32)  
Jan. 16   1  4.92    2 17.9   4.192   4.151    80   17.2  20:58 (115, 28)

* C/2015 W1 ( Gibbs )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Dec. 17, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). It keeps observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from winter to spring in the Northern Hemispehre. It is observable only until mid February in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   8  1.06   21  7.4   1.696   2.669   169   17.4   0:52 (180, 34)  
Jan. 16   7 46.78   25  8.8   1.646   2.628   175   17.3   0:10 (180, 30)

* 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)  
Jan.  9   3  7.32   15 12.5   3.629   4.217   120   17.3  21:02 (159, 37)  
Jan. 16   3  7.03   15 21.1   3.717   4.208   113   17.3  20:58 (153, 35)

* C/2014 B1 ( Schwartz )

Now it is 16.9 mag (Dec. 19, Y. Sugiyama). 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)  
Jan.  9   8  9.55   -0 44.4   9.246  10.138   153   17.4   0:59 (180, 56)  
Jan. 16   8  7.89   -0 35.0   9.208  10.125   157   17.4   0:30 (180, 56)

* 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)  
Jan.  9  14 19.67    3 15.8   2.526   2.496    76   17.5   3:11 (249, 23)  
Jan. 16  14 29.16    2 51.1   2.448   2.499    81   17.4   3:20 (244, 28)

* 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)  
Jan.  9   4 53.16   44 50.2   0.893   1.779   142   17.5  21:40 (180, 10)  
Jan. 16   4 53.20   43 56.2   0.905   1.760   137   17.4  21:12 (180, 11)

* C/2015 TQ209 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Dec. 11, Purple Mountain Observatory). It will brighten up to 13 mag in 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)  
Jan.  9   1 53.50   10 54.8   2.956   3.308   102   17.5  21:02 (137, 33)  
Jan. 16   1 55.09   10 50.2   2.991   3.237    95   17.5  20:58 (132, 30)

* 162P/Siding Spring

Now it is 17.1 mag (Dec. 13, D. Buczynski). 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)  
Jan.  9  11 34.06   49 15.1   1.565   2.260   123   17.5   3:11 (192,  4)  
Jan. 16  11 28.58   50 35.8   1.570   2.310   128   17.5   3:20 (185,  4)

* C/2015 GX ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.9 mag (Dec. 16, Yasukazu Ikari). It wil be fainter than 18 mag soon. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   1 32.07   29  4.7   2.064   2.486   103   17.5  21:02 (144, 15)  
Jan. 16   1 38.21   25 58.3   2.217   2.533    97   17.8  20:58 (139, 16)

* C/2013 G9 ( Tenagra )

It brightened up to 16 mag in early 2015. Now it is 18.1 mag (Dec. 12, ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala). It is observable at 18 mag from winter to spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  10 18.78  -24 42.9   5.467   5.959   115   17.6   3:08 (180, 80)  
Jan. 16  10 11.59  -24 51.1   5.398   5.982   122   17.6   2:34 (180, 80)

* 332P/LINEAR

First return of an object discovered as an asteroid 2007 VA85 in 2007. Faint tail was observed on Jan. 8 by Hidetaka Sato. Now it is 17.2 mag (Jan. 10, E. Bryssinck). It will approach to the earth down to 0.5 a.u., will brighten up to 15-16 mag, and will be observable in excellent condition. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  11 39.12  -46 15.1   1.262   1.595    89   18.0   3:11 (313, 71)  
Jan. 16  11 13.41  -47 51.2   1.063   1.535    97   17.6   3:20 (348, 77)

* 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 (Dec. 3, D. Buczynski). 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)  
Jan.  9   3 11.19   47 26.8  10.136  10.733   125   17.7  21:02 (169,  6)  
Jan. 16   3  9.75   47 19.0  10.197  10.709   119   17.7  20:58 (165,  5)

* 269P/2012 R2 ( Jedicke )

It brightened up to 15.2 mag in early 2015 (Feb. 24, Toshiyuki Takahashi). Now it is 17.5 mag (Dec. 6, Catalina Sky Survey). It will be fainter than 18 mag in April. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  11 42.86   -5 58.0   4.272   4.690   109   17.7   3:11 (218, 56)  
Jan. 16  11 43.11   -6  9.8   4.190   4.708   116   17.7   3:20 (203, 59)

* C/2015 X7 ( ATLAS )

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)  
Jan.  9   6 53.65  -27 24.0   3.393   4.096   130   17.8  23:39 (180, 82)  
Jan. 16   6 49.23  -26 17.4   3.361   4.069   130   17.7  23:07 (180, 81)

* 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)  
Jan.  9  14 37.94  -15  5.3   2.455   2.244    66   17.9   3:11 (268, 30)  
Jan. 16  14 50.95  -16 47.9   2.384   2.242    69   17.9   3:20 (266, 35)

* 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)  
Jan.  9  14 28.51   55 48.5   7.086   7.303    98   17.9   3:11 (211,-15)  
Jan. 16  14 27.02   56 41.4   7.050   7.325   102   17.9   3:20 (206,-12)

* C/2013 C2 ( Tenagra )

Very far object. Outburst occured on Feb. 20, 2015, and it brightened up to 15 mag. But it is faint as 18 mag now. 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)  
Jan.  9  13 29.69  -25 20.9   9.296   9.144    78   18.0   3:11 (270, 49)  
Jan. 16  13 31.15  -25 35.9   9.186   9.146    84   17.9   3:20 (265, 56)

* C/2015 Y1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.8 mag (Dec. 18, Hidetaka Sato). It keeps observable at 17.5 mag in good condition until April. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   9 10.32   -6 12.7   2.028   2.855   140   18.1   2:00 (180, 61)  
Jan. 16   9  4.57   -3 44.1   1.932   2.820   148   17.9   1:27 (180, 59)

* 331P/2015 Y2 ( 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. However, now it is so faint as 19.2 mag (Jan. 1, M. Schwartz, P. R. Holvorcem). It will be 18-19 mag at best in this apparition. Fragment B is also visible at 19.1 mag (Jan. 3, Hidetaka Sato). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   9 12.26   36 27.6   0.771   1.701   151   19.2   2:02 (180, 19)  
Jan. 16   9 10.66   36 48.1   0.730   1.677   156   19.1   1:33 (180, 18)

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