Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2018 Dec. 15: South)

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 Updated on December 21, 2018
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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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* 46P/Wirtanen

Now it is very bright as 3.6 mag (Dec. 16, Marco Goiato). Visible with naked eyes. It is approaching to Earth down to 0.08 a.u., and it looks so large as 3 times of Moon. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be getting lower rapidly after this, and it will be unobservable in late December. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   3 47.37   16 29.0   0.078   1.056   155    3.2  22:16 (180, 36)  
Dec. 22   4 59.09   40 49.9   0.084   1.063   158    3.3  23:03 (180, 12)

* 38P/Stephan-Oterma

Now it is bright as 9.5 mag (Dec. 14, Marco Goiato). It stays 9-10 mag until January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time until it fades out. It locates low in the Southern Hemispehre. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   8 26.18   34 14.6   0.766   1.645   139    9.3   2:53 (180, 21)  
Dec. 22   8 31.50   37  3.9   0.768   1.670   144    9.5   2:31 (180, 18)

* 64P/Swift-Gehrels

Now it is very bright as 9.0 mag (Dec. 14, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It stays low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   2 15.84   32 22.7   0.597   1.478   136   10.5  20:56 (177, 23)  
Dec. 22   2 33.03   31 18.3   0.648   1.507   133   10.9  21:01 (173, 23)

* C/2018 L2 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 11.3 mag (Nov. 30, Seiichi Yoshida). It stays at 11 mag until February. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time until it fades out. But it stays extremely low. It will never be observable again in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  18  5.91   13 10.3   2.392   1.719    37   10.8  20:56 ( 80,-37)  
Dec. 22  18 25.57   15 24.4   2.374   1.731    39   10.8  21:01 ( 80,-41)

* C/2016 M1 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened up to 7.7 mag in June (June 19, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. But it is still bright as 10.6 mag (Dec. 7, Chris Wyatt). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time until the comet will fade out. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable for a long time until autumn in 2019 when the comet fades out down to 16 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  16 38.97  -81 50.5   3.011   2.640    58   11.2   2:53 (352, 30)  
Dec. 22  17 37.39  -84  9.7   3.022   2.683    60   11.3   2:55 (355, 31)

* C/2018 V1 ( Machholz-Fujikawa-Iwamoto )

New bright comet discovered by three amateur comet hunters. It brightened rapidly from 10 mag up to 8 mag just after the discovery. But after that, the brightness evolution became slow. Now it is 9.5 mag (Dec. 9, Alan Hale). In the Northern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky in February. But it may be fainter than 18 mag at that time. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  19  1.70  -14 33.3   1.200   0.496    23   11.4  20:56 ( 65, -9)  
Dec. 22  19 20.82  -18 14.6   1.450   0.621    19   13.0  21:01 ( 60, -9)

* C/2016 N6 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 11.5 mag (Dec. 14, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It stays 12 mag for a long time until spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   7 58.37  -13 22.2   2.383   3.089   128   12.2   2:26 (180, 68)  
Dec. 22   7 43.60  -15 36.2   2.367   3.125   133   12.3   1:44 (180, 71)

* C/2016 R2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 12.8 mag (Nov. 14, Sandor Szabo). It will be fading slowly after this. It is observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until summer in 2019. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  14 59.81   40 35.5   3.619   3.454    72   12.8   2:53 (238,-28)  
Dec. 22  15 10.32   40 30.9   3.622   3.500    75   12.8   2:55 (236,-24)

* 78P/Gehrels 2

Now it is 13.3 mag (Dec. 5, Sandor Szabo). It stays at 12-13 mag for a long time until autumn in 2019. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  22 24.17   -6 45.2   2.280   2.198    72   13.0  20:56 (101, 27)  
Dec. 22  22 35.57   -5 58.7   2.336   2.176    68   13.0  21:01 ( 99, 22)

* 21P/Giacobini-Zinner

It brightened up to 6.8 mag in September (Sept. 17, Seiichi Yoshida). Now it is fading rapidly. It has already faded down to 13.8 mag (Dec. 15, R. Ramlow). It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates low after this in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   6 47.61  -39 36.6   0.954   1.630   114   13.5   1:15 (  0, 85)  
Dec. 22   6 37.37  -39  1.5   1.005   1.695   116   14.0   0:37 (  0, 86)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is bright as 12.9 mag (Dec. 5, Sandor Szabo). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  22 51.59   -0 36.6   5.833   5.768    81   13.5  20:56 (111, 28)  
Dec. 22  22 54.40   -0 22.7   5.943   5.768    75   13.6  21:01 (106, 22)

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is 14.0 mag (Nov. 26, Chris Wyatt). It will brighten up to 10-11 mag in autumn in 2019. It stays observable in good condition for a while in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays extremely low for a long time. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   1 11.25  -38 30.3   4.232   4.409    93   13.6  20:56 ( 73, 74)  
Dec. 22   1  7.47  -36 44.7   4.275   4.366    88   13.6  21:01 ( 78, 66)

* 60P/Tsuchinshan 2

Now it is 13.7 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 14 mag in excellent condition until March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  10 52.59    3 40.7   1.137   1.623    99   14.1   2:53 (229, 38)  
Dec. 22  11  4.77    1 56.0   1.089   1.626   103   14.0   2:55 (226, 42)

* C/2017 M4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 14.0 mag (Nov. 14, Kunihiro Shima). It stays 13-14 mag until summer in 2019. It is not observable now. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  16 58.94   -7 23.2   4.195   3.268    17   14.3   2:53 (300,-25)  
Dec. 22  17  3.50   -8 39.5   4.170   3.262    19   14.2   2:55 (297,-20)

* (944) Hidalgo

Now it is 14.3 mag (Nov. 30, Seiichi Yoshida). It stays at 14 mag until winter. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until summer in 2019. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  12 43.00   77 33.6   1.463   2.009   108   14.4   2:53 (193,-29)  
Dec. 22  13  6.50   78  1.7   1.474   2.027   109   14.4   2:55 (192,-29)

* C/2015 O1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 14.4 mag (Dec. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading slowly after this. It is observable in excellent condition until spring in the Northern Hemispehre. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be hardly observable after this. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  11 50.48   37 26.8   4.283   4.554    99   14.4   2:53 (218,  3)  
Dec. 22  11 45.28   38 17.4   4.205   4.588   106   14.4   2:55 (212,  7)

* 123P/West-Hartley

Now it is 14.8 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 13-14 mag in winter, and it will be observable in excellent condition. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  11  5.14   27 20.6   1.688   2.166   105   14.7   2:53 (217, 17)  
Dec. 22  11 14.34   27 28.6   1.612   2.156   109   14.5   2:55 (212, 20)

* C/2017 B3 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 14.5 mag (Aug. 16, P. Camilleri, H. Williams). It stays 15 mag from 2018 to 2019, and it will be observable for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  18 48.07  -67 19.9   4.567   3.945    45   15.0  20:56 ( 22, 23)  
Dec. 22  19 13.56  -66 38.1   4.576   3.939    44   15.0  21:01 ( 23, 22)

* C/2018 A6 ( Gibbs )

Now it is bright as 15.1 mag (Nov. 21, Artyom Novichonok). It stays 14 mag for a long time in 2019. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable in excellent condition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable in low sky until early January, but it will be unobservable after that. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  11 30.39  -34 52.1   3.633   3.536    76   15.4   2:53 (284, 53)  
Dec. 22  11 30.08  -37 22.8   3.514   3.505    81   15.3   2:55 (286, 59)

* C/2018 A3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 15.2 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 15 mag until March. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable at all in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  11  3.98   61  2.0   2.775   3.288   113   15.4   2:53 (198,-11)  
Dec. 22  10 50.15   64 51.8   2.699   3.283   118   15.3   2:55 (192,-12)

* C/2017 T2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 15.0 mag (Dec. 5, Sandor Szabo). It is expected to brighten up to 7-8 mag in 2020. In 2018, it will be observable at 15-16 mag in good condition from autum to winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   3 15.71   -5 18.0   5.048   5.805   136   15.7  21:39 (180, 60)  
Dec. 22   3 11.68   -4 54.9   5.060   5.745   130   15.6  21:08 (180, 60)

* 48P/Johnson

Now it is 14.6 mag (Dec. 5, Sandor Szabo). It will be fading after this. It stays observable in excellent condition for a while in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  23 36.78  -16 43.8   2.078   2.226    85   15.8  20:56 (104, 47)  
Dec. 22  23 46.94  -15  9.9   2.177   2.249    81   16.0  21:01 (102, 42)

* C/2018 N1 ( NEOWISE )

It approached to Earth down to 0.3 a.u., and brightened up to 8.3 mag in July (July 22, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. It has faded down to 13.2 mag in September (Sept. 24, Thomas Lehmann). Appearing in the morning sky in the Northern Hemisphere. It will appear in the morning sky in January also in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  15 27.71   -3 18.7   3.038   2.305    35   16.0   2:53 (282,-11)  
Dec. 22  15 28.53   -2 37.4   3.018   2.379    41   16.2   2:55 (277, -5)

* 59P/Kearns-Kwee

Now it is 17.4 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It was predicted to be observable at 16.5 mag in good condition from autumn to winter. But recently, it is a bit fainter than predicted actually. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   8 36.44   24 21.6   1.641   2.456   137   16.4   2:53 (183, 31)  
Dec. 22   8 34.23   24  9.5   1.602   2.471   144   16.4   2:34 (180, 31)

* 171P/Spahr

Now it is 16.7 mag (Nov. 29, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 16.5 mag in good condition in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   4 33.27    0 14.3   0.858   1.793   153   16.5  22:57 (180, 55)  
Dec. 22   4 27.84    2 54.8   0.864   1.784   149   16.5  22:24 (180, 52)

* C/2016 A1 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened up to 14.7 mag in early 2018 (Jan. 25, Catalina Sky Survey). Now it is fading slowly. Now it is 16.4 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time until the comet fades out. It is never observable again in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   7 19.54   70 50.2   5.366   6.043   129   16.6   1:49 (180,-16)  
Dec. 22   6 59.55   71 49.2   5.378   6.067   130   16.6   1:02 (180,-17)

* C/2010 U3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 16.1 mag (Dec. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 16-17 mag for a long time until 2020. It is observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable at all in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  11 51.52   70 17.0   8.071   8.457   109   16.7   2:53 (197,-21)  
Dec. 22  11 55.01   70 46.7   8.031   8.455   112   16.7   2:55 (194,-20)

* 300P/Catalina

Now it is 16.3 mag (Dec. 8, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be getting higher gradually after this. But it will be fading, and will be fainter than 18 mag in January. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  21 54.32  -18 31.4   1.068   1.057    61   16.7  20:56 ( 86, 28)  
Dec. 22  22 32.14  -14 58.4   1.108   1.120    64   17.4  21:01 ( 90, 27)

* 164P/Christensen

Now it is 17.3 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 17 mag in good condition in winter. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  11 11.94   21 12.9   2.054   2.451   101   17.0   2:53 (222, 21)  
Dec. 22  11 16.35   21 52.5   2.008   2.492   107   17.0   2:55 (216, 24)

* C/2015 V2 ( Johnson )

It brightened up to 7 mag from May to June in 2017. Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 16.0 mag (Sept. 30, J. Drummond). 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)  
Dec. 15   0 50.29  -48 34.4   6.176   6.173    85   17.1  20:56 ( 47, 67)  
Dec. 22   0 50.37  -47 32.5   6.309   6.232    81   17.2  21:01 ( 53, 62)

* 361P/2017 S4 ( Spacewatch )

Now it is 16.0 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It was observed at 18 mag in last winter. It will be observable in good condition at 16-17 mag also in this winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   7 21.84    2 33.5   2.131   2.995   145   17.2   1:49 (180, 52)  
Dec. 22   7 17.96    2 17.4   2.111   3.012   151   17.2   1:18 (180, 53)

* C/2014 B1 ( Schwartz )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Dec. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). Fading slowly. It stays observable at 17 mag in good condition until summer in 2019. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  11 40.95    5 44.2   9.855   9.892    89   17.2   2:53 (239, 29)  
Dec. 22  11 42.10    5 49.1   9.748   9.903    96   17.2   2:55 (232, 34)

* 369P/2018 P1 ( Hill )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 17.5 mag in 2010. Now it is 17.0 mag (Nov. 29, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in late January. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   6  2.83   36  4.6   1.067   2.034   165   17.2   0:31 (180, 19)  
Dec. 22   5 57.33   36 45.7   1.082   2.052   166   17.3  23:53 (180, 18)

* 247P/LINEAR

Now it is 17.9 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 17 mag in good condition in winter 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)  
Dec. 15  10 30.11   32 51.6   0.795   1.496   114   17.4   2:53 (207, 16)  
Dec. 22  10 46.20   33 33.2   0.774   1.505   117   17.3   2:55 (204, 17)

* C/2014 OE4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Nov. 30, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading gradually after this, and it will be fainter than 18 mag in winter. 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)  
Dec. 15  22 59.00   67 32.6   7.590   7.960   108   17.4  20:56 (161,-20)  
Dec. 22  23  5.14   66 38.7   7.656   7.988   106   17.4  21:01 (158,-21)

* C/2015 XY1 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Nov. 29, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It was observed at 17 mag in last winter. It will be observable in good condition at 17.5 mag also in this winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   4 57.59    5 16.2   7.116   8.051   160   17.4  23:21 (180, 50)  
Dec. 22   4 52.16    4 57.8   7.153   8.058   155   17.4  22:48 (180, 50)

* C/2018 E1 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 18.7 mag (Dec. 14, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It brightened up to 16 mag in 2018 spring. It stays observable in good condition until 2019 spring when the comet will be fainter than 18 mag. It is fainter than this ephemeris recently. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  10 56.28    7 16.1   3.305   3.611   100   17.5   2:53 (228, 35)  
Dec. 22  10 57.06    8 36.3   3.235   3.654   107   17.5   2:55 (219, 38)

* 159P/LONEOS

Now it is 17.2 mag (Nov. 29, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 17.5 mag until January, 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)  
Dec. 15   6 20.04   42 26.3   2.869   3.800   157   17.6   0:48 (180, 13)  
Dec. 22   6 14.21   42 59.1   2.871   3.811   160   17.6   0:15 (180, 12)

* 239P/LINEAR

Now it is 17.8 mag (Dec. 14, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 17.5 mag in excellent condition in January. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   8 11.27    9 49.6   0.801   1.673   138   17.8   2:38 (180, 45)  
Dec. 22   8 13.98    7 35.9   0.762   1.662   144   17.6   2:14 (180, 47)

* 232P/Hill

It was expected to be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition in winter in the Northern Hemisphere. But actually, it is so faint as 21.0 mag (Oct. 5, K. Sarneczky, et. al). It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   5 36.65   33 42.8   2.081   3.053   169   17.7   0:05 (180, 21)  
Dec. 22   5 30.52   34  7.7   2.077   3.045   167   17.7  23:26 (180, 21)

* P/2014 C1 ( TOTAS )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 2014. It has not been recovered yet. Now it is not detected, fainter than 20.0 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). The condition of this apparition is excelllent. It will brighten rapidly, and will be observable at 15.5 mag in excellent condition in March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  10 56.73    4 42.0   1.559   1.970    99   17.9   2:53 (229, 37)  
Dec. 22  11  7.09    3 40.6   1.461   1.941   103   17.7   2:55 (225, 41)

* 373P/2018 R2 ( Rinner )

Now it is 17.7 mag (Dec. 8, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 16 mag in 2011. It is observable at 17.5 mag in good condition in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   2 35.96   13 31.8   1.627   2.450   138   17.7  21:00 (180, 41)  
Dec. 22   2 35.79   12 49.5   1.675   2.434   130   17.7  21:01 (171, 42)

* (3552) Don Quixote

Now it is 17.0 mag (Nov. 27, MASTER-II Observatory, Tunka). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in December. It is observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere. Its cometary activity was observed on Mar. 26 (M. Mommert, D. Polishook, N. Moskovitz). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   0 55.73   47 36.3   2.104   2.749   121   17.7  20:56 (164,  5)  
Dec. 22   0 58.30   46 38.9   2.221   2.805   116   17.9  21:01 (159,  4)

* 240P/NEAT

It brightened very rapidly up to 13.8 mag in August in 2017 (Aug. 22, Kunihiro Shima). Although it was faint as 16-17 mag in November, it brightened up to 14.7 mag in December (Dec. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition after this. It stays extremely low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  11 14.00   31 50.7   2.239   2.667   104   17.8   2:53 (216, 13)  
Dec. 22  11 19.16   32 47.0   2.190   2.696   110   17.8   2:55 (211, 14)

* C/2018 W2 ( Africano )

It is expected to brighten up to 10 mag in autumn in 2019. Now it is 17.4 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time while the comet is brightening. In the Southern Hemisphere, it it not observable until late September in 2019. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15  13 19.60   48 26.4   3.564   3.707    90   18.0   2:53 (221,-16)  
Dec. 22  13 27.81   50 33.4   3.420   3.640    95   17.8   2:55 (218,-14)

* 368P/2018 L3 ( NEAT )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 16.5 mag in 2005. Now it is 17.8 mag (Dec. 14, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in December. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   1 58.02   22 28.5   1.459   2.239   131   17.8  20:56 (171, 32)  
Dec. 22   2  3.36   21 30.2   1.543   2.264   125   18.0  21:01 (163, 32)

* 243P/NEAT

It brightened rapidly. Now it is 17.5 mag (Nov. 30, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in December. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   1 41.50    2 50.7   1.902   2.559   121   17.9  20:56 (160, 50)  
Dec. 22   1 43.67    3 37.5   1.992   2.572   115   18.1  21:01 (150, 47)

* 31P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 2

Now it is 18.8 mag (Nov. 29, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 18 mag in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 15   7  2.89   20 59.6   2.590   3.522   157   18.0   1:31 (180, 34)  
Dec. 22   6 58.44   21 12.0   2.553   3.516   166   17.9   0:59 (180, 34)

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