Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2017 Oct. 7: North)

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 Updated on October 9, 2017
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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/2017 O1 ( ASASSN )

Now it is bright as 8.3 mag (Sept. 25, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It stays 8 mag within October. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable soon. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   4 32.31   41 51.6   0.739   1.503   118    8.3   3:30 (180, 83)  
Oct. 14   4 40.58   49 57.7   0.722   1.499   120    8.4   3:11 (180, 75)

* 96P/Machholz 1

Now it is 17.5 mag (Aug. 6, Jean-Francois Soulier). It will pass the perihelion on Oct. 27. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable while the comet will be brightening, until early October when the comet will brighten up to 9 mag. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable at all in this apparition. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  13 41.24  -45 46.5   0.981   0.708    41   10.9  18:59 ( 52,-28)  
Oct. 14  13 36.68  -39  7.0   0.932   0.526    31    9.2  18:50 ( 61,-29)

* C/2015 V2 ( Johnson )

It brightened up to 7.1 mag from May to June (June 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 10.9 mag (Sept. 22, Chris Wyatt). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time after this. It will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  16 38.87  -53 26.1   2.435   2.235    66   11.1  18:59 ( 28, -9)  
Oct. 14  16 59.05  -54 31.1   2.549   2.295    64   11.3  18:50 ( 27,-10)

* 24P/Schaumasse

Now it is bright as 10.9 mag (Oct. 3, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It stays 10 mag until December. It is observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates very low for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   9 28.15   18 30.1   1.601   1.318    55   12.4   4:35 (272, 37)  
Oct. 14   9 56.85   17  4.9   1.558   1.285    55   11.9   4:41 (275, 37)

* 62P/Tsuchinshan 1

Now it is 12.9 mag (Oct. 1, Artyom Novichonok). It stays 11 mag until winter. It is observable in good 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)  
Oct.  7   8 46.50   18  3.4   1.572   1.455    64   12.4   4:35 (280, 45)  
Oct. 14   9 11.06   17 10.1   1.521   1.433    65   11.9   4:41 (282, 46)

* C/2016 R2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 13.2 mag (Oct. 3, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will stay bright as 11 mag for a long time from winter to next spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition until next February. In the Northern Hemispehre, it stays observable for a long time after this until the comet fades out. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   5 36.80   -1 34.3   2.978   3.423   108   12.7   4:35 (  0, 53)  
Oct. 14   5 36.62   -1  6.4   2.842   3.378   114   12.6   4:07 (  0, 54)

* 71P/Clark

It brightened up to 10 mag from spring to summer. Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 12.2 mag (Sept. 22, Chris Wyatt). It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  19 29.05  -33 51.0   1.455   1.835    94   12.7  18:59 (  7, 21)  
Oct. 14  19 45.91  -32 47.6   1.546   1.867    91   13.0  18:50 (  8, 22)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Outburst occured on Aug. 27. Now it is very bright as 11.9 mag (Sept. 27, Chris Wyatt). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  21  4.32  -14 47.0   5.245   5.816   120   13.3  20:00 (  0, 40)  
Oct. 14  21  4.10  -14 44.7   5.344   5.814   113   13.4  19:32 (  0, 40)

* C/2015 ER61 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened up to 6.2 mag in April (Apr. 7, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading rapidly. It has already faded down to 13.0 mag (Sept. 21, Toshiyuki Takahashi). It stays observable for a long time after this. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   3 47.54   22  2.9   1.676   2.478   134   13.5   2:46 (  0, 77)  
Oct. 14   3 41.06   21 29.2   1.695   2.560   142   13.8   2:12 (  0, 77)

* 217P/LINEAR

It brightened up to 12.2 mag in August (Aug. 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is fading now. It has already faded down to 13.9 mag (Sept. 21, Chris Wyatt). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   7 41.60   10 38.9   1.467   1.601    78   13.9   4:35 (303, 53)  
Oct. 14   7 52.50   10 22.0   1.454   1.654    82   14.1   4:41 (311, 56)

* 240P/NEAT

It brightened very rapidly from July to August. Now it is very bright as 14.1 mag (Sept. 27, Chris Wyatt). It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It stays low for a while in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   0 12.23  -36 27.9   1.879   2.699   137   14.3  23:06 (  0, 19)  
Oct. 14   0  6.20  -36  8.4   1.889   2.670   132   14.2  22:33 (  0, 19)

* C/2015 VL62 ( Lemmon-Yeung-PanSTARRS )

Now it is 14.4 mag (Sept. 19, Toshiyuki Takahashi). It will be fading after this. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  19 27.50  -11 29.3   2.428   2.751    97   14.5  18:59 ( 12, 43)  
Oct. 14  19 19.51  -12 51.0   2.593   2.763    89   14.7  18:50 ( 20, 40)

* C/2015 O1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 14.2 mag (Sept. 22, Sandor Szabo). It will be observable at 14 mag for a long time from 2017 to 2018. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be hardly observable after this. It will be extremely low from November to December in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  16  6.52   19 32.3   4.416   3.917    54   14.7  18:59 ( 90, 36)  
Oct. 14  16  7.11   19 15.7   4.462   3.899    50   14.7  18:50 ( 92, 32)

* C/2016 M1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 14.5 mag (Sept. 22, Sandor Szabo). It is expected to brighten up to 10 mag in summer in 2018. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable until 2018 summer while the comet will be brightening. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is hardly observable in 2017, but it will be observable in good condition in 2018. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  17  9.02   27 18.0   4.209   3.986    70   14.7  18:59 ( 90, 52)  
Oct. 14  17 12.33   25 15.2   4.222   3.930    66   14.7  18:50 ( 90, 48)

* C/2016 N6 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 13.7 mag (Sept. 22, Sandor Szabo). It is expected to brighten up to 12 mag from 2018 to 2019. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition while the comet will be brightening gradually. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until 2018 October. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  14 56.35   48 53.5   4.310   3.922    60   15.0  18:59 (130, 34)  
Oct. 14  14 58.72   48 15.6   4.263   3.873    60   14.9  18:50 (130, 31)

* C/2015 V1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 14.7 mag (Oct. 1, Catalina Sky Survey). It stays observable at 15-16 mag for a long time from 2017 to 2018. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   1 36.20   20 29.9   3.350   4.308   161   15.0   0:35 (  0, 76)  
Oct. 14   1 25.26   18 33.9   3.317   4.301   169   14.9  23:51 (  0, 73)

* C/2016 N4 ( MASTER )

Now it is 14.6 mag (Sept. 25, Seiichi Yoshida). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays 15 mag until winter, and it is observable in excellent condition. It is not observable at all after this in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  21  0.61   70 19.1   2.788   3.205   105   15.0  19:53 (180, 55)  
Oct. 14  20 36.80   69 26.7   2.811   3.210   104   15.1  19:03 (180, 56)

* 145P/Shoemaker-Levy 5

Now it is 15.4 mag (Sept. 2, Ken-ichi Kadota). It brightened rapidly. It is observable at 15 mag in autumn in good 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)  
Oct.  7   5 24.32   30 35.6   1.331   1.932   111   15.4   4:22 (  0, 86)  
Oct. 14   5 31.53   31 49.8   1.284   1.944   116   15.3   4:02 (  0, 87)

* C/2011 KP36 ( Spacewatch )

Now it is 15.3 mag (Sept. 17, Artyom Novichonok). It stays observable at 16 mag unil the end of 2017. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   3 37.64    1 14.3   5.252   6.032   138   15.4   2:36 (  0, 56)  
Oct. 14   3 36.11    0 48.5   5.221   6.060   144   15.4   2:07 (  0, 56)

* 65P/Gunn

Now it is 15.9 mag (Aug. 26, Hiroshi Abe). It will be unobservable in late October in the Northerm Hemisphere, or in late November in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  16 54.46  -26 53.0   3.246   2.910    61   15.5  18:59 ( 42, 14)  
Oct. 14  17  5.12  -27 12.7   3.325   2.910    57   15.5  18:50 ( 43, 12)

* 47P/Ashbrook-Jackson

Now it is 15.4 mag (Sept. 28, Yasukazu Ikari). It will be fading after this, and it will be fainter than 18 mag in March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   1 24.63   17 58.5   1.923   2.899   164   15.6   0:23 (  0, 73)  
Oct. 14   1 18.95   17 59.4   1.921   2.909   170   15.7  23:46 (  0, 73)

* C/2017 K4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 15.3 mag (Sept. 18, Yuji Ohshima). It stays 16 mag for a long time until summer in 2018. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition until autumn. It locates low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  17 43.76  -26 57.8   2.936   2.807    72   15.8  18:59 ( 33, 20)  
Oct. 14  17 54.42  -26 23.4   2.997   2.785    68   15.8  18:50 ( 35, 19)

* C/2017 K6 ( Jacques )

Now it is 15.7 mag (Sept. 13, Martin Masek). It stays 15 mag until winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition until spring in 2018. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays unobservable until 2018. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   3  0.80  -80 52.5   1.993   2.265    92   16.0   1:58 (  0,-26)  
Oct. 14   2 38.95  -80 22.0   1.975   2.228    90   15.9   1:09 (  0,-25)

* 213P/Van Ness

It brightened up to 13.5 mag in July (July 5, Chris Wyatt). But it is fading after that, even before the perihelion passage. It has already faded down to 15.9 mag (Sept. 11, Alexander Baransky). 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)  
Oct.  7  19 33.79  -19 13.1   1.576   1.986    98   16.0  18:59 (  9, 35)  
Oct. 14  19 44.73  -18 15.4   1.650   1.989    94   16.2  18:50 ( 11, 36)

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

Appearing in the morning sky. It will be observable at 15 mag in good condition from winter to spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  10 39.97   13 59.9   4.296   3.558    37   16.2   4:35 (266, 20)  
Oct. 14  10 48.29   13 18.0   4.227   3.556    42   16.1   4:41 (271, 24)

* C/2014 B1 ( Schwartz )

Appearing in the morning sky. It stays 16-17 mag for a long time from 2016 to 2019. It stays near by the equator. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  10 14.79    4 49.2  10.300   9.558    40   16.2   4:35 (278, 20)  
Oct. 14  10 17.77    4 38.5  10.221   9.558    46   16.2   4:41 (283, 26)

* 352P/2017 L1 ( Skiff )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 2000. Now it is 15.8 mag (Sept. 21, Toshiyuki Takahashi). Although it has been brightening even after the perihelion passage, it will be fading after this. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   0 47.87   -6 20.8   1.706   2.692   168   16.2  23:42 (  0, 49)  
Oct. 14   0 42.01   -5 42.5   1.740   2.712   163   16.4  23:09 (  0, 49)

* 355P/2017 M2 ( LINEAR-NEAT )

Now it is 16.1 mag (Sept. 27, Mt. Lemmon Survey). Return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 13 mag in 2004. It will be observable in excellent condition in autumn. It was expected to brighten up to 14 mag, if the comet is as bright as when it was discovered. But actually, it is much fainter than expected. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   2 45.75    4 26.7   0.772   1.717   151   16.5   1:44 (  0, 59)  
Oct. 14   2 43.25    5 29.9   0.749   1.716   158   16.4   1:14 (  0, 61)

* C/2016 A1 ( PanSTARRS )

It stays 16 mag for a long time from 2017 to 2018. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates very low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   9 14.11   20  6.8   5.787   5.340    58   16.6   4:35 (273, 40)  
Oct. 14   9 15.76   20 44.5   5.670   5.336    65   16.5   4:41 (277, 47)

* C/2014 OE4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.5 mag (Sept. 26, ATLAS-MLO, Mauna Loa). It stays 16 mag from 2016 to 2017. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  17 58.65   61 37.7   6.521   6.574    88   16.7  18:59 (153, 57)  
Oct. 14  18  3.85   61  7.3   6.539   6.589    88   16.7  18:50 (151, 56)

* C/2017 M4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.1 mag (Sept. 2, Toshiyuki Takahashi). It is expected to brighten up to 13-14 mag from 2018 to 2019. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until summer in 2018. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  18 26.85   56 59.4   5.220   5.338    91   16.9  18:59 (151, 63)  
Oct. 14  18 25.86   55  9.4   5.205   5.291    89   16.8  18:50 (144, 62)

* C/2016 T3 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Sept. 20, Kunihiro Shima). It will be observable at 16.5 mag in good condition in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   8 54.78    9  0.9   3.015   2.668    60   16.9   4:35 (288, 38)  
Oct. 14   9  4.47    7 20.9   2.950   2.678    64   16.8   4:41 (294, 41)

* 90P/Gehrels 1

Now it is 16.8 mag (Sept. 17, Alexander Baransky). In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be observable at 17 mag in excellent condition from autumn to winter. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   5 39.55   32 34.9   2.618   3.075   107   17.0   4:35 (348, 88)  
Oct. 14   5 42.61   33  5.4   2.545   3.087   113   17.0   4:13 (  0, 88)

* C/2010 U3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Sept. 15, Yuji Ohshima). It will pass the perihelion in 2019. However, it has not been brightening since the discovery in 2010. It is observable in good conditioin in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   6 56.78   69 45.7   8.825   8.959    94   17.0   4:35 (192, 54)  
Oct. 14   7  0.10   70 28.1   8.736   8.945    98   17.0   4:41 (187, 54)

* (944) Hidalgo

Now it is 17.9 mag (June 2, MASTER-OAFA Observatory). It will brighten up to 14 mag from autumn to winter in 2018, and it will be observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. In 2017, it is observable at 17 mag in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  23 21.26  -45 16.9   3.206   3.874   125   17.0  22:16 (  0, 10)  
Oct. 14  23 14.31  -44 30.2   3.224   3.831   120   17.0  21:41 (  0, 11)

* 188P/LINEAR-Mueller

Now it is 17.3 mag (Sept. 24, E. Bryssinck). It is observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates very low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   7 10.50   33 35.0   2.845   2.996    88   17.3   4:35 (268, 71)  
Oct. 14   7 16.47   33 49.0   2.774   3.019    94   17.2   4:41 (270, 76)

* (457175) 2008 GO98

Hilda-type minor planet, but the cometary activity was detected on July 3. Now it is 18.1 mag (Sept. 18, Kunihiro Shima). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  20 51.67   -3 50.7   2.903   3.507   119   17.3  19:47 (  0, 51)  
Oct. 14  20 53.42   -4 24.0   3.009   3.525   113   17.4  19:21 (  0, 51)

* C/2017 D2 ( Barros )

It brightened up to 14.7 mag in summer (Aug. 12, Yasukazu Ikari). Now it is fading rapidly. It has already faded down to 17.0 mag (Sept. 28, Yasukazu Ikari). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7  21  6.68  -14 19.9   1.990   2.649   121   17.5  20:02 (  0, 41)  
Oct. 14  21  8.86  -12 45.6   2.095   2.676   115   17.7  19:37 (  0, 42)

* (3200) Phaethon

It will approach to Earth down to 0.07 a.u. in mid December, and it will brighten up to 10 mag. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition until mid December. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays low. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  7   6 37.35   33 33.5   1.446   1.837    95   17.8   4:35 (272, 77)  
Oct. 14   6 45.12   33 44.7   1.296   1.778   100   17.5   4:41 (278, 83)

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