Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2016 Mar. 26: North)

Japanese version
Home page
Updated on March 27, 2016
Last week South Next week

Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Northern Hemisphere.
Azimuth indicates 0 for south, 90 for west, 180 for north, 270 for east.

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

* 252P/LINEAR

It passed only 0.036 a.u. from the earth on Mar. 21-22, and brightened up to 3.9 mag (Mar. 21, Thomas Lehmann). It keeps observable in good condition after this both in the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. It may fade out very rapidly. 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)  
Mar. 26  17 29.10  -35 50.4   0.045   1.008   101    4.9   4:30 (351, 17)  
Apr.  2  17 33.96   -9 55.5   0.078   1.027   108    6.5   4:19 (349, 44)  

* 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)  
Mar. 26  23 34.61    3 52.7   2.332   1.370    11    7.5   4:30 (259, -8)  
Apr.  2  23 34.31    3  0.3   2.259   1.344    17    7.4   4:19 (263, -5)  

* C/2014 S2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is so bright as 9.1 mag (Mar. 22, Seiichi Yoshida). It will be fading slowly after this. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable now in the Southern Hemisphere, but it will be observable after May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26  12 21.94   67 19.1   1.908   2.443   110    9.4   0:10 (180, 58)  
Apr.  2  11 53.26   64 20.6   1.957   2.484   110    9.5  23:06 (180, 61)  

* C/2013 US10 ( Catalina )

Now it is 9.7 mag (Mar. 22, Seiichi Yoshida). It was expected to brighten up to 4-5 mag from autumn to winter. But actually, it was 6 mag at best. Now it is fading rapidly. 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)  
Mar. 26   4 19.27   50 53.6   2.446   2.298    69   10.6  19:41 (130, 48)  
Apr.  2   4 24.45   49 46.2   2.650   2.388    64   10.9  19:48 (128, 44)  

* 333P/LINEAR

First return of an object discovered as an asteroid 2007 VA85 in 2007. It brightened very rapidly since mid February, and now it is so bright as 12.0 mag (Mar. 22, Seiichi Yoshida). It is alreay unobservable in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be unobservable in late April also in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26   3 33.77   29 17.4   1.384   1.122    53   11.2  19:41 (104, 35)  
Apr.  2   3 26.86   31 54.0   1.540   1.115    46   11.2  19:48 (111, 28)  

* C/2014 W2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 13.1 mag (Mar. 10, Thomas Lehmann). It keeps 12-13 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 until July in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26  20 29.03   67  7.4   2.736   2.675    75   12.2   4:30 (207, 45)  
Apr.  2  20 22.07   68  7.1   2.729   2.681    76   12.2   4:19 (205, 47)  

* 81P/Wild 2

Now it is 12.6 mag (Mar. 9, Thomas Lehmann). It will brighten up to 11 mag from spring to summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be getting lower after this, and will be unobservable in June. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere, but it keeps observable until August.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26   5 43.05   22 13.7   1.845   1.948    80   12.4  19:41 ( 75, 58)  
Apr.  2   5 54.75   22 28.9   1.883   1.912    76   12.3  19:48 ( 80, 54)  

* 9P/Tempel 1

Now it is 14.3 mag (Mar. 18, P. Bacci, L. Tesi, G. Fagioli). Brightening very rapidly. 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)  
Mar. 26  12  6.34   20 37.4   1.006   1.963   156   13.3  23:48 (  0, 76)  
Apr.  2  11 59.36   20 58.1   0.987   1.926   151   13.1  23:14 (  0, 76)  

* 116P/Wild 4

Now it is 13.4 mag (Mar. 3, Hiroshi Abe). It keeps 13 mag for a while. 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)  
Mar. 26  15 58.41  -22 17.4   1.540   2.249   123   13.2   3:44 (  0, 33)  
Apr.  2  16  0.06  -22 39.5   1.486   2.261   129   13.2   3:18 (  0, 32)  

* 104P/Kowal 2

Now it is bright as 14.0 mag (Mar. 19, Ken-ichi Kadota). Although it was faint as 19.0 mag in January (Jan. 10, B. Lutkenhoner), it brightened rapidly in February. It keeps observable until May in the Northern Hemisphere, or until July in the Southern Hemisphere. But it keeps extremely low. 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)  
Mar. 26   2 44.11   13 40.1   1.806   1.180    37   13.5  19:41 ( 95, 18)  
Apr.  2   3 11.92   14 53.4   1.809   1.181    37   13.5  19:48 ( 97, 17)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It brightened in outburst on Mar. 14 up to 14.8 mag (Jean-Francois Soulier).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26  19 43.49  -25 42.3   6.177   5.951    72   13.8   4:30 (319, 16)  
Apr.  2  19 46.81  -25 34.9   6.067   5.949    78   13.7   4:19 (321, 18)  

* P/2016 BA14 ( PanSTARRS )

It passed only 0.024 a.u. from the earth on Mar. 23, and brightened up to 12.8 mag (Mar. 22, Paul Camilleri). Almost stellar. It will fade out rapidly after this. It has already faded down to 14.0 mag (Mar. 26, Jean-Francois Soulier). It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps low after this in the Southern Hemisphere. The orbital elements are similar to those of 252P/LINEAR.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26  13 24.34   49 59.8   0.036   1.019   126   13.8   0:52 (180, 76)  
Apr.  2  15 55.43   46 30.1   0.087   1.038   113   16.0   3:11 (180, 78)  

* 77P/Longmore

Now it is 14.6 mag (Mar. 10, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Mar. 26  13 25.31   -9 50.3   1.388   2.358   162   14.7   1:12 (  0, 45)  
Apr.  2  13 17.63  -10 47.6   1.360   2.351   170   14.6   0:37 (  0, 44)  

* 10P/Tempel 2

It is not observable now. 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)  
Mar. 26   1 32.03    0 54.1   2.863   1.938    17   14.7  19:41 ( 94, -4)  
Apr.  2   1 47.60    2 26.8   2.925   1.981    15   14.9  19:48 ( 98, -7)  

* 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)  
Mar. 26   0 11.57   -1 46.9   3.133   2.140     4   14.7   4:30 (259,-19)  
Apr.  2   0 25.39   -0 22.9   3.169   2.181     7   14.9   4:19 (258,-17)  

* 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)  
Mar. 26  23 19.55   -2 15.0   5.856   4.904    15   14.7   4:30 (267, -8)  
Apr.  2  23 26.61   -1 44.5   5.821   4.900    20   14.7   4:19 (268, -6)  

* 53P/Van Biesbroeck

Now it is 15.4 mag (Mar. 15, Yuji Ohshima). 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)  
Mar. 26  19 42.64  -16  0.8   2.584   2.446    70   14.9   4:30 (313, 24)  
Apr.  2  19 54.36  -15 28.3   2.501   2.440    74   14.8   4:19 (313, 25)  

* 321P/SOHO

It will graze the surface of the sun on Apr. 10. It passed only 0.16 a.u. from the earth on Mar. 13, and it was observable in excellent condition. However, it was not visible, fainter than 19 mag (Mar. 17, Jean-Francois Soulier).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26  23 58.62   12 42.7   0.393   0.618    11   15.9   4:30 (249, -7)  
Apr.  2   0 31.87   10 41.6   0.606   0.404     6   15.0   4:19 (248,-12)  

* 43P/Wolf-Harrington

It will brighten up to 11 mag from summer to autumn. It will appear in the morning sky in summer, but it keeps low for some time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26  23 43.42    9 27.6   3.022   2.055    11   15.2   4:30 (254, -6)  
Apr.  2  23 58.64   10 53.6   2.968   2.007    13   15.0   4:19 (253, -5)  

* 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4

Now it is 16.0 mag (Mar. 2, Hiroshi Abe). It will brighten up to 14 mag in summer. But it is not observable at the highlight. It will be unobservable soon.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26   2 50.23    9 40.3   2.780   2.086    37   15.4  19:41 ( 91, 16)  
Apr.  2   3  4.89   10 52.0   2.809   2.070    34   15.2  19:48 ( 94, 13)  

* 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 14.2 mag still now (Mar. 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)  
Mar. 26  14 10.99  -30 13.0   3.174   4.004   141   15.7   1:57 (  0, 25)  
Apr.  2  14  7.93  -30 12.1   3.146   4.030   148   15.7   1:27 (  0, 25)  

* C/2015 V2 ( Johnson )

Now it is 14.8 mag (Mar. 7, Tsutomu Seki). 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)  
Mar. 26   6 42.29   61 41.1   5.142   5.249    90   15.8  19:41 (162, 61)  
Apr.  2   6 43.81   61  9.4   5.170   5.187    85   15.7  19:48 (155, 59)  

* 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 15.8 mag (Mar. 15, Yuji Ohshima). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time until the comet fades out. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26  18 32.06   23 43.2   5.152   5.186    86   15.8   4:30 (289, 64)  
Apr.  2  18 31.61   24 17.2   5.134   5.251    91   15.9   4:19 (293, 68)  

* 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

It brightened up to 11.1 mag in 2015 autumn (Sept. 21, Seiichi Yoshida). Now it is 14.6 mag (Mar. 9, 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)  
Mar. 26  11 30.02   13 11.3   1.700   2.660   160   15.9  23:12 (  0, 68)  
Apr.  2  11 24.09   13 22.0   1.783   2.710   152   16.1  22:39 (  0, 68)  

* C/2013 V4 ( Catalina )

Now it is 15.4 mag (Mar. 10, D. Buczynski). It keeps 16 mag until autumn. It keeps observable in good condition for a long time 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)  
Mar. 26   3 23.98   72 19.5   5.501   5.342    75   16.0  19:41 (159, 40)  
Apr.  2   3 35.74   72 28.7   5.573   5.355    72   16.0  19:48 (159, 38)  

* 65P/Gunn

Now it is 15.8 mag (Mar. 13, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Mar. 26  11 39.19   14 56.4   2.876   3.829   160   16.1  23:21 (  0, 70)  
Apr.  2  11 34.71   15 12.9   2.894   3.813   153   16.1  22:49 (  0, 70)  

* C/2015 Y1 ( LINEAR )

It brightened rapidly, and reached up to 15.5 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). It will be fading after this. It has already faded down to 16.5 mag (Mar. 7, Yasukazu Ikari). It keeps observable until August when the comet becomes fainter than 18 mag in the Northern Hemisphere. It will be unobservable in May in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26   8  3.33   29 31.8   2.039   2.572   111   16.3  19:47 (  0, 85)  
Apr.  2   8  3.31   31 49.6   2.130   2.557   103   16.3  19:48 ( 65, 83)  

* 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 for a long time. It will be unobservable after this in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26   3 50.20  -29 14.6   2.842   2.483    59   16.4  19:41 ( 50,  3)  
Apr.  2   3 55.65  -29 33.6   2.851   2.455    57   16.4  19:48 ( 54, -2)  

* C/2014 B1 ( Schwartz )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Mar. 4, Yuji Ohshima). 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)  
Mar. 26   7 56.99    2 16.7   9.557  10.005   114   16.4  19:41 (  0, 57)  
Apr.  2   7 57.27    2 35.3   9.646   9.993   107   16.4  19:48 ( 16, 57)  

* 100P/Hartley 1

Now it is 17.4 mag (Mar. 16, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). It will brighten up to 16 mag from April to May. 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)  
Mar. 26  15 55.53  -19 38.7   1.269   2.011   124   16.7   3:41 (  0, 35)  
Apr.  2  15 56.03  -21 44.8   1.208   2.011   131   16.5   3:14 (  0, 33)  

* C/2015 B2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.3 mag (Feb. 24, 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)  
Mar. 26   3 30.67  -45 45.3   3.714   3.392    63   16.7  19:41 ( 41,-11)  
Apr.  2   3 29.83  -44  8.2   3.749   3.385    61   16.7  19:48 ( 46,-15)  

* P/2003 T12 ( SOHO )

STEREO spacecraft observed it at 8-9 mag on Feb. 21-22. It approached to the sun down to 0.58 a.u. on Mar. 9, but it was not observable around the perihelion passage. It is appearing in the evening sky now. But it will fade out very rapidly.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26   2 11.87    7 21.6   1.342   0.662    28   16.7  19:41 ( 94,  8)  
Apr.  2   2 58.14   10 22.5   1.326   0.735    33   17.8  19:48 ( 95, 12)  

* 19P/Borrelly

Now it is 17.9 mag (Mar. 7, 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)  
Mar. 26  13 59.11   30 11.2   2.331   3.160   139   16.7   1:45 (  0, 85)  
Apr.  2  13 51.61   30 35.6   2.364   3.204   141   16.9   1:10 (  0, 85)  

* C/2015 ER61 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Mar. 17, P. C. Sherrod, L. P. Sherrod). 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)  
Mar. 26  11 28.75   -3 54.4   4.241   5.218   167   16.9  23:11 (  0, 51)  
Apr.  2  11 24.50   -3 23.6   4.202   5.151   159   16.8  22:39 (  0, 52)  

* 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)  
Mar. 26  15 13.97    3 14.0   1.764   2.578   136   17.0   3:00 (  0, 58)  
Apr.  2  15 11.77    3 28.5   1.724   2.590   142   16.9   2:30 (  0, 58)  

* 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)  
Mar. 26  12 41.27    4 16.7   1.942   2.932   171   17.1   0:28 (  0, 59)  
Apr.  2  12 35.03    4 46.4   1.910   2.899   169   17.1  23:49 (  0, 60)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

It brightened up to 11-12 mag in 2012. It has already faded down to 17.0 mag (Mar. 11, Catalina Sky Survey). It is 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)  
Mar. 26  10 36.67   -4 34.8  10.260  11.165   154   17.1  22:19 (  0, 50)  
Apr.  2  10 33.83   -4 14.7  10.350  11.202   147   17.1  21:49 (  0, 51)  

* C/2015 X7 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.0 mag (Mar. 1, Yasukazu Ikari). It keeps 17-18 mag for a long time until 2017 spring. It will be getting lower gradually after this. It will be unobservable in May in the Northern Hemisphere, or in June inthe Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26   6 40.06   -8 26.3   3.633   3.853    95   17.2  19:41 ( 27, 43)  
Apr.  2   6 43.61   -6 38.3   3.703   3.836    90   17.2  19:48 ( 37, 41)  

* C/2014 R3 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.0 mag (Mar. 17, Jean-Francois Soulier). 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)  
Mar. 26  16 53.74   72  2.0   7.181   7.326    94   17.2   4:30 (181, 53)  
Apr.  2  16 41.99   72 59.2   7.185   7.321    93   17.2   3:59 (180, 52)  

* 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. No observations have been reported since August, 2015.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26  18 12.93  -33 17.5   9.084   9.186    92   17.2   4:30 (341, 19)  
Apr.  2  18 11.74  -33 39.9   8.997   9.220    99   17.2   4:19 (344, 19)  

* C/2015 X4 ( Elenin )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Mar. 12, A. Diepvens). It will be fading and getting lower gradually after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26   5 55.64   11  3.6   3.574   3.601    83   17.3  19:41 ( 57, 53)  
Apr.  2   6  1.52   10 48.5   3.690   3.620    78   17.4  19:48 ( 64, 48)  

* 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 in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26   5 43.60   51 22.3   2.218   2.311    82   17.4  19:41 (135, 61)  
Apr.  2   5 42.47   52 39.8   2.308   2.292    76   17.4  19:48 (134, 55)  

* C/2015 O1 ( PanSTARRS )

Appearing in the morning sky. It will be observable at 13 mag for a long time from 2017 to 2018. In 2016, it keeps observable at 16-17 mag in good condition until autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26  20 23.65  -15 50.6   7.290   6.865    61   17.5   4:30 (305, 17)  
Apr.  2  20 24.30  -15 26.3   7.135   6.821    67   17.4   4:19 (307, 20)  

* 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)  
Mar. 26  16 30.71  -31 43.3   1.783   2.375   114   17.4   4:16 (  0, 23)  
Apr.  2  16 35.03  -33  1.0   1.742   2.402   119   17.4   3:53 (  0, 22)  

* C/2015 YG1 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Mar. 17, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). 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)  
Mar. 26  10 41.51   24 35.1   1.967   2.836   144   17.5  22:23 (  0, 79)  
Apr.  2  10 32.77   22 44.1   2.069   2.885   137   17.7  21:47 (  0, 78)  

* 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 17.9 mag (Mar. 15, Catalina Sky Survey), the fragment C is 17.8 mag (Mar. 15, Catalina Sky Survey), the fragment H is 18.9 mag (Mar. 6, C. Rinner, F. Kugel). It will be 17 mag at best in this apparition. Fragments B to J are also observed.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26   9  0.28   24 30.5   0.778   1.575   124   17.6  20:44 (  0, 79)  
Apr.  2   9  8.47   22 15.9   0.819   1.580   120   17.7  20:25 (  0, 77)  

* (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)  
Mar. 26  13 56.12   -5 18.4   2.655   3.589   155   17.7   1:42 (  0, 50)  
Apr.  2  13 53.03   -4 37.7   2.647   3.616   163   17.6   1:12 (  0, 50)  

* C/2014 OE4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Mar. 13, Jean-Francois Soulier). 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)  
Mar. 26  17 29.57   21 37.6   6.230   6.494   100   17.7   4:30 (321, 73)  
Apr.  2  17 29.45   22 57.9   6.142   6.481   105   17.6   4:19 (331, 76)  

* 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 (Mar. 11, iTelescope Observatory, Mayhill). 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)  
Mar. 26   7 58.34   30  9.0   1.851   2.381   109   17.7  19:42 (  0, 85)  
Apr.  2   8  4.50   30 17.0   1.938   2.389   104   17.8  19:48 ( 52, 83)  

* 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 18.1 mag now (Mar. 18, W. Hasubick). 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)  
Mar. 26  13 26.79  -26  4.7   8.277   9.164   151   17.7   1:13 (  0, 29)  
Apr.  2  13 24.91  -25 53.3   8.238   9.167   157   17.7   0:44 (  0, 29)  

* C/2015 LC2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Mar. 19, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). It becomes brighter than at the discovery in 2015. It is observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from spring to summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26  15 21.97   -3 56.6   5.591   6.332   134   17.7   3:08 (  0, 51)  
Apr.  2  15 19.05   -2 50.7   5.535   6.350   141   17.7   2:37 (  0, 52)  

* 230P/LINEAR

It kept brightening even after the perihelion passage, and brightened up to 13.0 mag (Dec. 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading rapidly. It has already faded down to 17.1 mag (Mar. 12, A. Diepvens).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26   6 54.79   29 10.6   1.593   1.972    96   17.7  19:41 ( 70, 76)  
Apr.  2   7  8.65   29 18.3   1.705   2.014    92   18.0  19:48 ( 78, 72)  

* C/2016 C2 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 17.9 mag (Mar. 3, Hidetaka Sato). It will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from April to May in the Southern Hemisphere. It is not observable after April in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26  16 41.94  -40 14.3   0.949   1.595   110   17.9   4:27 (  0, 15)  
Apr.  2  16 58.61  -46 36.4   0.905   1.578   111   17.8   4:17 (  0,  9)  

* 204P/LINEAR-NEAT

It brightened up to 16.0 mag in January (Jan. 18, Catalina Sky Survey). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 17.4 mag (Mar. 15, Catalina Sky Survey). It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26   8 28.98   25 14.7   1.465   2.121   117   17.8  20:13 (  0, 80)  
Apr.  2   8 35.92   24 52.3   1.554   2.145   112   18.0  19:52 (  0, 80)  

* C/2016 A1 ( PanSTARRS )

It keeps 16 mag for a long time from 2017 to 2018. Now it is 17.6 mag (Mar. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until early summer. It will be unobservable in May in the Northern Hemispehre.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 26   9  7.60  -29 37.1   6.278   6.921   126   17.9  20:50 (  0, 25)  
Apr.  2   9  4.06  -28 21.6   6.301   6.890   122   17.9  20:19 (  0, 27)  

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

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