Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2016 Feb. 27: North)

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Updated on February 29, 2016
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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/2013 X1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is very bright as 8.7 mag (Feb. 14, Thomas Lehmann). It brightened temporarily in outburst in early January, but it returned to the original brightness. It will pass close to the earth from spring to summer, and it is expected to brighten up to 5-6 mag. Now it is not observable. In the Northern Hemisphere, 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 observable in excellent condition after appearing in the morning sky again in mid April.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27  23 35.02    7 17.5   2.413   1.536    21    8.2  19:16 ( 97,  3)  
Mar.  5  23 34.83    6 23.4   2.424   1.486    14    8.1  19:22 (101, -5)  

* C/2013 US10 ( Catalina )

Now it is 8.8 mag (Feb. 27, Maik Meyer). It was expected to brighten up to 4-5 mag from autumn to winter. But actually, it was 6 mag at best. It will be fading rapidly after this. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable after this in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   4  9.41   59 49.9   1.591   1.932    94    9.6  19:16 (156, 61)  
Mar.  5   4  8.95   56 37.6   1.806   2.025    87   10.0  19:22 (145, 60)  

* C/2014 S2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is so bright as 9.3 mag (Feb. 27, 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)  
Feb. 27  15 12.20   70 50.5   1.829   2.296   105    9.6   4:48 (180, 54)  
Mar.  5  14 29.89   71 22.0   1.834   2.330   107    9.8   3:39 (180, 54)  

* 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)  
Feb. 27  20 32.18   64 46.0   2.714   2.673    77   12.1   5:09 (211, 38)  
Mar.  5  20 34.23   65  3.0   2.727   2.671    76   12.2   5:00 (211, 39)  

* 81P/Wild 2

Now it is 13.2 mag (Feb. 12, Thomas Lehmann). 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)  
Feb. 27   5  9.72   20 53.1   1.679   2.101   100   12.8  19:16 ( 29, 74)  
Mar.  5   5 15.84   21 14.2   1.722   2.062    95   12.7  19:22 ( 48, 71)  

* 252P/LINEAR

Now it is 13.8 mag (Feb. 27, Michael Jager). It will pass only 0.036 a.u. from the earth on Mar. 21-22. It is expected to 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. The orbital elements are similar to those of P/2016 BA14 ( PanSTARRS ).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   5 46.07  -30  1.9   0.144   1.025   100   13.9  19:19 (  0, 25)  
Mar.  5   5 46.18  -35 50.5   0.105   1.007    95   13.1  19:22 (  6, 18)  

* 116P/Wild 4

Now it is 13.4 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Feb. 27  15 37.45  -20 11.0   1.802   2.212   100   13.4   5:09 (359, 35)  
Mar.  5  15 44.63  -20 48.4   1.731   2.220   105   13.3   4:53 (  0, 34)  

* 333P/LINEAR

First return of an object discovered as an asteroid 2007 VA85 in 2007. Faint tail was observed on Jan. 8 by Hidetaka Sato. It approached to the earth down to 0.5 a.u. in February. Now it is very bright as 12.5 mag (Feb. 27, Michael Jager). It will keep 14 mag for some more time, but it will be getting lower. It will be unobservable in mid March in the Southern Hemisphere, or in late April in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   4 38.11    6 17.3   0.703   1.226    91   13.6  19:16 ( 33, 58)  
Mar.  5   4 12.16   15 29.5   0.865   1.190    79   13.8  19:22 ( 64, 56)  

* 10P/Tempel 2

Now it is 11.8 mag (Jan. 8, Giuseppe Pappa). It will be unobservable soon. It will appear in the morning sky in summer, but it will be fainter than 17 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   0 25.53   -6  1.2   2.597   1.773    27   13.7  19:16 ( 79,  6)  
Mar.  5   0 42.86   -4 11.7   2.665   1.813    24   14.0  19:22 ( 83,  3)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Appearing in the morning sky, but it has not been observed yet.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27  19 26.15  -26 19.8   6.570   5.959    48   13.9   5:09 (310,  8)  
Mar.  5  19 31.03  -26  9.6   6.481   5.957    54   13.9   5:00 (312, 10)  

* 22P/Kopff

It is not observable now. It will appear in the morning sky in June. But the comet will be faint as 16-17 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27  23 12.03   -7 45.6   2.952   1.979     8   13.9  19:16 ( 88,-10)  
Mar.  5  23 27.61   -6 13.5   3.002   2.018     6   14.1  19:22 ( 92,-13)  

* 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. It has already faded down to 14.6 mag (Jan. 26, Ken-ichi Kadota). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time until the comet fades out. It is appearing in the morning sky also in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27  18 27.10   21 35.6   5.204   4.925    68   13.9   5:09 (278, 50)  
Mar.  5  18 29.31   22  4.7   5.196   4.991    72   13.9   5:00 (280, 53)  

* 104P/Kowal 2

Now it is bright as 13.8 mag (Feb. 27, Michael Jager). Although it was faint as 19.0 mag in January (Jan. 10, B. Lutkenhoner), it brightened rapidly. It is observable at 14 mag until spring. But it locates extremely low in the Southern Hemisphere. The brightness differs in every apparition. It was not observed in the last apparition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   1  1.11    7 34.2   1.833   1.239    39   14.5  19:16 ( 85, 21)  
Mar.  5   1 25.43    9 11.6   1.822   1.215    38   14.1  19:22 ( 88, 20)  

* 9P/Tempel 1

Now it is 16.2 mag (Feb. 19, P. C. Sherrod, L. P. Sherrod). Brightening very rapidly, although it is somewhat fainter than this ephemeris. 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)  
Feb. 27  12 27.50   17 17.9   1.194   2.119   151   14.5   2:04 (  0, 72)  
Mar.  5  12 24.05   18 15.9   1.130   2.079   156   14.2   1:33 (  0, 73)  

* C/2011 KP36 ( Spacewatch )

Now it is 15.1 mag (Jan. 2, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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)  
Feb. 27  22 50.79   -4 15.8   5.911   4.927     5   14.8  19:16 ( 94,-13)  
Mar.  5  22 58.02   -3 46.2   5.911   4.920     2   14.8   5:00 (263,-16)  

* 77P/Longmore

Now it is 15.2 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). It is 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)  
Feb. 27  13 43.41   -5 47.4   1.618   2.390   131   15.1   3:20 (  0, 49)  
Mar.  5  13 41.15   -6 49.3   1.545   2.381   138   15.0   2:50 (  0, 48)  

* 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

It brightened up to 11.1 mag in 2015 autumn (Sept. 21, Seiichi Yoshida). Now it is 14.5 mag (Feb. 15, Thomas Lehmann). 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)  
Feb. 27  12  0.21   11  4.6   1.503   2.455   159   15.0   1:37 (  0, 66)  
Mar.  5  11 52.43   11 46.4   1.531   2.507   166   15.2   1:02 (  0, 67)  

* 53P/Van Biesbroeck

Now it is 16.2 mag (Feb. 17, La Silla--TRAPPIST). Appearing in the morning sky. It will be observable at 14 mag in good condition from spring to summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27  18 51.56  -17 44.3   2.907   2.483    55   15.3   5:09 (310, 19)  
Mar.  5  19  4.86  -17 23.5   2.828   2.472    59   15.2   5:00 (311, 20)  

* 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 14.3 mag still now (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). It keeps 15 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)  
Feb. 27  14 16.03  -29 13.8   3.381   3.905   115   15.5   3:52 (  0, 26)  
Mar.  5  14 16.02  -29 37.4   3.317   3.929   121   15.6   3:25 (  0, 25)  

* P/2003 T12 ( SOHO )

It will approach to the sun down to 0.58 a.u. on Mar. 9, and brighten up to 15 mag. But it is not observable around the perihelion passage. It will appear in the evening sky at 17 mag in late March. But it will fade out very rapidly.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27  23 11.53   -5 37.0   1.578   0.620     9   16.3  19:16 ( 90, -9)  
Mar.  5  23 54.41   -2 35.6   1.504   0.584    13   15.5  19:22 ( 91, -5)  

* C/2013 V4 ( Catalina )

Now it is 15.6 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Feb. 27   2 50.37   72 19.8   5.193   5.296    90   15.8  19:16 (163, 47)  
Mar.  5   2 56.60   72 13.6   5.272   5.307    86   15.9  19:22 (161, 45)  

* C/2015 V2 ( Johnson )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Feb. 11, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Feb. 27   6 49.90   63 32.9   5.044   5.495   112   15.9  20:24 (180, 61)  
Mar.  5   6 45.86   63  9.1   5.064   5.434   106   15.9  19:52 (180, 62)  

* 65P/Gunn

Now it is 16.3 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Feb. 27  11 57.42   13  7.2   2.948   3.893   159   16.2   1:34 (  0, 68)  
Mar.  5  11 53.22   13 38.5   2.908   3.877   165   16.2   1:02 (  0, 69)  

* C/2015 Y1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 15.5 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). It brightened rapidly, and became brighter than originally expected. It keeps observable at 16 mag in good condition until May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   8 19.02   17 15.8   1.776   2.651   145   16.3  21:52 (  0, 72)  
Mar.  5   8 12.94   20 46.4   1.821   2.628   136   16.3  21:18 (  0, 76)  

* 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4

Now it is 16.2 mag (Feb. 7, Hiroshi Abe). 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)  
Feb. 27   1 56.33    4 37.1   2.638   2.163    51   16.3  19:16 ( 73, 30)  
Mar.  5   2  9.06    5 54.1   2.678   2.142    47   16.3  19:22 ( 78, 27)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

It brightened up to 11-12 mag in 2012. It has already faded down to 17.1 mag (Feb. 8, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Feb. 27  10 49.55   -5 52.9  10.055  11.015   165   16.3   0:26 (  0, 49)  
Mar.  5  10 46.20   -5 34.4  10.082  11.052   167   16.3  23:51 (  0, 49)  

* 19P/Borrelly

Now it is 17.2 mag (Feb. 18, D. Buczynski). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition after this while the comet will be fading. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27  14 20.70   26 53.5   2.307   2.979   124   16.3   3:57 (  0, 82)  
Mar.  5  14 17.04   27 53.0   2.299   3.025   129   16.4   3:26 (  0, 83)  

* P/2016 BA14 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 18.6 mag (Feb. 13, M. M. Knight, M. S. P. Kelley, S. Protopapa, M. Micheli). It will pass only 0.024 a.u. from the earth on Mar. 23. It is expected to brighten very rapidly and reach up to 12 mag in March. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in excellent condition until mid March, but it will be low after that. The orbital elements are similar to those of 252P/LINEAR.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   5 46.28  -35 25.6   0.195   1.038    98   17.1  19:20 (  0, 20)  
Mar.  5   5 54.03  -33 44.3   0.142   1.019    97   16.3  19:22 (  5, 21)  

* C/2014 B1 ( Schwartz )

Now it is 16.1 mag (Feb. 3, Yasukazu Ikari). It keeps 16-17 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)  
Feb. 27   7 58.89    0 59.1   9.274  10.051   139   16.4  21:32 (  0, 56)  
Mar.  5   7 57.99    1 18.4   9.330  10.039   133   16.4  21:04 (  0, 56)  

* C/2015 T4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.3 mag (Feb. 2, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Feb. 27   3 38.79  -28 33.3   2.725   2.615    73   16.6  19:16 ( 29, 20)  
Mar.  5   3 39.95  -28 40.8   2.766   2.579    68   16.5  19:22 ( 35, 16)  

* 230P/LINEAR

It kept brightening even after the perihelion passage, and brightened up to 13.0 mag (Dec. 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It keeps observable in excellent condition for a while. But it will be fading after this. It has already faded down to 15.4 mag (Feb. 7, Hiroshi Abe).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   6  2.58   26 49.4   1.177   1.809   112   16.6  19:37 (  0, 82)  
Mar.  5   6 14.87   27 43.6   1.275   1.849   108   16.9  19:22 (  1, 83)  

* C/2015 B2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.7 mag (Feb. 5, La Silla--TRAPPIST). 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)  
Feb. 27   3 47.39  -53 30.5   3.541   3.432    75   16.6  19:16 ( 17, -2)  
Mar.  5   3 40.53  -51 25.3   3.586   3.420    72   16.6  19:22 ( 23, -3)  

* C/2015 TQ209 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Feb. 6, Catalina Sky Survey). It will brighten up to 13 mag in 2016 summer. But it is not observable around the highlight. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable soon. 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)  
Feb. 27   2 24.66   12 10.7   3.165   2.809    60   17.0  19:16 ( 76, 40)  
Mar.  5   2 32.62   12 37.7   3.179   2.738    55   16.9  19:22 ( 81, 35)  

* C/2015 YG1 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Feb. 7, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Feb. 27  11 33.89   31  5.8   1.722   2.648   154   16.9   1:11 (  0, 86)  
Mar.  5  11 18.82   29 43.4   1.757   2.694   156   17.0   0:29 (  0, 85)  

* C/2015 X4 ( Elenin )

Now it is 16.9 mag (Feb. 5, Hiroshi Abe). It keeps observable in good condition for a while.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   5 38.30   12 13.8   3.116   3.530   106   16.9  19:16 (  3, 67)  
Mar.  5   5 41.56   11 53.6   3.228   3.547   100   17.0  19:22 ( 21, 66)  

* 204P/LINEAR-NEAT

It brightened up to 16.0 mag in January (Jan. 18, Catalina Sky Survey). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in Apri. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   8 13.88   25 30.1   1.163   2.037   142   17.0  21:47 (  0, 80)  
Mar.  5   8 15.47   25 38.8   1.228   2.056   135   17.2  21:21 (  0, 81)  

* 180P/NEAT

Now it is 16.6 mag (Feb. 19, D. Buczynski). 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)  
Feb. 27  15  9.58    2 17.6   1.995   2.538   111   17.1   4:45 (  0, 57)  
Mar.  5  15 12.65    2 28.6   1.929   2.547   117   17.0   4:21 (  0, 57)  

* 100P/Hartley 1

Now it is 17.6 mag (Feb. 6, M. Jaeger, E. Prosperi, S. Prosperi, W. Vollmann). It will brighten up to 16 mag from March to June. 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)  
Feb. 27  15 37.59  -12 18.8   1.570   2.029   102   17.3   5:09 (358, 43)  
Mar.  5  15 44.08  -14  0.3   1.488   2.022   107   17.1   4:52 (  0, 41)  

* C/2015 X7 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Feb. 27   6 33.93  -16 10.2   3.411   3.932   114   17.1  20:07 (  0, 39)  
Mar.  5   6 34.18  -14 12.1   3.455   3.911   110   17.1  19:40 (  0, 41)  

* C/2015 W1 ( Gibbs )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Feb. 11, Yuji Ohshima). It keeps observable at 17-18 mag until summer in the Northern Hemispehre. It is not observable after March in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   6 11.76   44 52.3   1.850   2.413   112   17.2  19:45 (180, 80)  
Mar.  5   6  0.98   46 49.2   1.938   2.384   104   17.2  19:22 (167, 78)  

* 211P/Hill

It brightened up to 15.7 mag in winter (Jan. 14, Toshiyuki Takahashi). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 17.2 mag (Feb. 15, H. Boussier). It will be fainter than 18 mag in April. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   7 47.51   28 10.3   1.547   2.359   135   17.2  21:21 (  0, 83)  
Mar.  5   7 47.94   28 54.2   1.614   2.363   128   17.3  20:54 (  0, 84)  

* C/2010 S1 ( LINEAR )

It was observed as bright as 13-14 mag for a long time from 2011 to 2014. Now it is fading. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates extremely low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27  18 13.27  -31 54.1   9.425   9.052    65   17.2   5:09 (326, 13)  
Mar.  5  18 13.81  -32 13.9   9.344   9.085    71   17.2   5:00 (329, 15)  

* C/2014 R3 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.1 mag (Jan. 17, K. Sarneczky, P. Szekely, T. Szalai). It brightened rapidly, and became brighter than originally expected. It keeps 17 mag until 2017. It is observable in excellent 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)  
Feb. 27  17 18.27   67 44.5   7.210   7.349    94   17.3   5:09 (197, 54)  
Mar.  5  17 14.98   68 49.8   7.196   7.343    94   17.3   5:00 (193, 54)  

* 332P/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 faint; the fragment A is 17.8 mag (Feb. 24, Michael Jager), the fragment C is 17.8 mag (Feb. 24, Michael Jager), the fragment H is 18.5 mag (Feb. 24, Michael Jager). It will be 17 mag at best in this apparition. Fragments B to I are also observed in early February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   8 46.75   32 39.1   0.667   1.584   145   17.3  22:20 (  0, 87)  
Mar.  5   8 46.85   30 50.4   0.685   1.577   139   17.3  21:53 (  0, 86)  

* 194P/LINEAR

Now it is 18.7 mag (Jan. 14, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). 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)  
Feb. 27   5 44.99   36 58.8   1.098   1.698   108   17.4  19:20 (180, 88)  
Mar.  5   5 59.86   35 42.2   1.145   1.698   104   17.4  19:22 (102, 87)  

* C/2014 Y1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Feb. 27  16  0.57  -26 11.7   1.992   2.290    94   17.4   5:09 (353, 28)  
Mar.  5  16  9.78  -27 37.5   1.935   2.307    98   17.4   5:00 (356, 27)  

* 329P/2015 T1 ( LINEAR-Catalina )

First return of a periodic comet discovered in 2003. It brightened up to 15.1 mag in December (Dec. 17, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 17.7 mag (Feb. 18, D. Buczynski). It will be fainter than 18 mag in March. 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)  
Feb. 27   5 33.12   37 10.5   1.354   1.889   106   17.5  19:16 (143, 87)  
Mar.  5   5 47.00   37 56.7   1.452   1.925   102   17.9  19:22 (120, 84)  

* C/2015 ER61 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Feb. 16, H. Nohara). The cometary activity is confirmed recently. It is expected to brighten up to 7 mag in 2017 spring. But it locates somewhat low at the high light.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27  11 45.33   -5 38.9   4.552   5.481   157   17.7   1:22 (  0, 49)  
Mar.  5  11 41.50   -5 17.1   4.451   5.415   165   17.6   0:51 (  0, 50)  

* 321P/SOHO

It will graze the surface of the sun on Apr. 10. It will pass only 0.16 a.u. from the earth on Mar. 13, and will be observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27  14 56.50   -4 57.0   0.440   1.236   113   19.1   4:31 (  0, 50)  
Mar.  5  15 55.37   -1 22.0   0.273   1.102   106   17.6   5:00 (359, 53)  

* P/2013 YG46 ( Spacewatch )

It was discovered around the aphelion in 2013 December. It keeps observable at 17 mag in good condition from 2016 to 2017. No observations have been reported since 2014 March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27  12 59.88    2 19.1   2.206   3.063   143   17.8   2:36 (  0, 57)  
Mar.  5  12 56.59    2 44.8   2.121   3.030   151   17.6   2:06 (  0, 58)  

* C/2013 G9 ( Tenagra )

It brightened up to 16 mag in early 2015. Now it is 17.7 mag (Feb. 9, La Silla--TRAPPIST). It is observable at 18 mag from winter to spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27   9 21.88  -22 57.0   5.301   6.124   143   17.7  22:54 (  0, 32)  
Mar.  5   9 14.04  -22 13.2   5.346   6.149   141   17.7  22:19 (  0, 33)  

* 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 18.5 mag now (Feb. 5, La Silla--TRAPPIST). . 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)  
Feb. 27  13 32.37  -26 23.7   8.554   9.156   124   17.8   3:09 (  0, 29)  
Mar.  5  13 31.36  -26 23.0   8.469   9.158   131   17.8   2:40 (  0, 29)  

* 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)  
Feb. 27  11 32.29   -5 42.7   3.877   4.820   160   17.8   1:09 (  0, 49)  
Mar.  5  11 29.09   -5 23.7   3.868   4.839   166   17.8   0:38 (  0, 49)  

* C/2014 OE4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Feb. 11, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). It keeps 17.5 mag from 2016 to 2017. It is observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it locates low in 2016, and it is not observable in 2017.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27  17 24.81   16 37.2   6.626   6.548    81   17.8   5:09 (299, 59)  
Mar.  5  17 26.72   17 48.0   6.522   6.534    86   17.8   5:00 (303, 63)  

* 162P/Siding Spring

Now it is 17.1 mag (Feb. 11, Y. Sugiyama). 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)  
Feb. 27  10 17.40   53 12.4   1.800   2.599   135   17.9  23:49 (180, 72)  
Mar.  5  10  6.14   52 24.1   1.875   2.645   132   18.0  23:11 (180, 73)  

* (347449) 2012 TW236

First return of a peculiar asteroid 1998 HO121. It brightened up to 16.5 mag in early 2015 (Jan. 4, M. Jaeger, E. Prosperi, S. Prosperi, W. Vollmann). It is observable at 17.5 mag again in 2016 spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 27  14  1.93   -7 36.2   2.806   3.486   126   18.0   3:38 (  0, 47)  
Mar.  5  14  1.69   -7  7.7   2.753   3.511   133   17.9   3:10 (  0, 48)  

* C/2012 K8 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 18.2 mag (Jan. 17, K. Sarneczky, P. Szekely, T. Szalai). 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)  
Feb. 27  13 55.47   62 12.4   6.976   7.458   115   17.9   3:32 (180, 63)  
Mar.  5  13 45.96   62 56.2   6.994   7.481   115   18.0   2:55 (180, 62)  

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