Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2019 Apr. 27: South)

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 Updated on April 27, 2019
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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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* 78P/Gehrels 2

Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky again at 13-14 mag in August. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27   3  2.32   15 30.5   3.000   2.024    11   12.5  18:47 (102,-10)  
May   4   3 19.24   16 26.7   3.020   2.030     8   12.6  18:41 (103,-11)

* C/2018 Y1 ( Iwamoto )

It approached to Earth down to 0.3 a.u. in mid February, and brightened up to 5.5 mag (Feb. 13, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. But it is still bright as 11.7 mag (Apr. 21, Thomas Lehmann). In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable now. It will be unobservable soon also in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27   4 25.90   33 34.6   2.445   1.730    35   12.5  18:47 (128, -5)  
May   4   4 27.62   33 45.9   2.600   1.797    29   12.9  18:41 (126, -8)

* C/2016 M1 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened up to 7.7 mag in June in 2018 (June 19, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. But it is still bright as 12.8 mag (Apr. 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 when the comet fades out down to 16 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27   5  4.24  -40 25.5   3.883   3.605    66   12.7  18:47 ( 65, 43)  
May   4   5 12.97  -38 33.3   3.975   3.660    64   12.8  18:41 ( 66, 40)

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky in mid May in the Southern Hemisphere, or in late June in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27   1 52.54   -5 19.6   4.588   3.657    19   12.9   5:07 (278, -3)  
May   4   1 57.53   -3 49.6   4.535   3.623    22   12.9   5:12 (273,  2)

* C/2018 A6 ( Gibbs )

Now it is bright as 13.5 mag (Apr. 16, Thomas Lehmann). It stays 13 mag for a long time in 2019. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable in excellent condition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observasble until summer in 2020. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27   7 31.69  -55 21.6   2.841   3.097    95   13.1  18:47 ( 32, 64)  
May   4   7 27.48  -54 26.0   2.872   3.083    92   13.1  18:41 ( 38, 61)

* C/2017 M4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 12.6 mag (Apr. 12, Ken Harikae). It stays 13-14 mag until summer. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be getting lower gradually, and it will be unobservable in July. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  16 40.69  -35 47.8   2.546   3.385   140   13.3   2:24 (  0, 89)  
May   4  16 24.95  -37 40.9   2.504   3.404   148   13.3   1:41 (  0, 87)

* 123P/West-Hartley

Now it is 12.8 mag (Apr. 7, Chris Wyatt). It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  11  1.96   23 46.6   1.541   2.219   119   13.7  20:42 (180, 31)  
May   4  11  4.66   22  3.7   1.618   2.235   114   13.9  20:17 (180, 33)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

It is not observable now. It will appear in the morning sky in May. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27   0 19.92    9  4.8   6.630   5.767    28   13.8   5:07 (253,  8)  
May   4   0 24.75    9 42.3   6.576   5.767    34   13.8   5:12 (248, 13)

* C/2018 R3 ( Lemmon )

It will brighten up to 14 mag from May to June. However, it locates very low in the Northern Hemisphere, and it is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27   0 34.55   47 33.5   2.049   1.431    39   14.6   5:07 (224,-18)  
May   4   1 10.14   51 52.5   1.992   1.390    40   14.4   5:12 (220,-20)

* C/2017 T2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 13.6 mag (Feb. 27, S. Szabo). It is expected to brighten up to 7 mag in 2020. Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky in July. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27   3 31.66    8 36.8   5.567   4.629    19   14.5  18:47 (101,  0)  
May   4   3 36.83    9 25.3   5.533   4.565    14   14.5  18:41 ( 99, -4)

* C/2017 B3 ( LINEAR )

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. It has not been observed since last October. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  23 49.70  -47 30.5   4.232   3.988    69   14.8   5:07 (306, 40)  
May   4  23 57.34  -46 51.2   4.181   3.999    72   14.8   5:12 (304, 44)

* C/2016 N6 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 14.2 mag (Apr. 7, Chris Wyatt). It will be fading after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time until it fades out. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will not be observable after this. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27   5 39.59  -19 42.6   4.313   3.912    60   15.0  18:47 ( 94, 42)  
May   4   5 42.45  -19 44.9   4.422   3.960    56   15.1  18:41 ( 92, 38)

* C/2019 D1 ( Flewelling )

Now it is 15.3 mag (Apr. 6, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 15 mag from May to June, and it will be observable in good condition. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  21 24.45   14 55.4   1.618   1.590    70   15.1   5:07 (215, 33)  
May   4  21 44.18   18 36.7   1.595   1.580    70   15.0   5:12 (210, 31)

* C/2018 W2 ( Africano )

It is expected to brighten up to 10 mag in autumn. Now it is 15.3 mag (Apr. 21, Thomas Lehmann). 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 mid September. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27   3 30.82   71 40.5   2.653   2.305    59   15.2  18:47 (159,-31)  
May   4   3 39.20   69 51.5   2.661   2.238    54   15.1  18:41 (156,-32)

* C/2016 R2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 14.6 mag (Apr. 7, Thomas Lehmann). It will be fading slowly after this. It is observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays extremely low for a while. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  15 29.21   48 14.1   3.855   4.391   116   15.2   1:12 (180,  7)  
May   4  15 21.82   47 53.2   3.910   4.442   115   15.2   0:37 (180,  7)

* C/2015 O1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 15.2 mag (Apr. 2, 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)  
Apr. 27   8 48.55   38 32.7   5.204   5.264    87   15.5  18:47 (176, 16)  
May   4   8 46.20   37 40.0   5.363   5.304    81   15.6  18:41 (171, 17)

* C/2018 L2 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 14.4 mag (Apr. 2, Ken Harikae). It stayed at 10-12 mag from autum to winter. But it is fading now. 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)  
Apr. 27   1  5.27   46  4.9   3.254   2.506    35   15.5   5:07 (228,-21)  
May   4   1 22.78   46 35.3   3.327   2.567    34   15.8   5:12 (226,-19)

* 60P/Tsuchinshan 2

It brightened up to 13.2 mag from December to March (Dec. 30, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 15.2 mag (Apr. 22, Thomas Lehmann). It will be fainter than 18 mag in June. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  11 22.77   -2 24.1   1.231   2.075   135   15.7  21:03 (180, 57)  
May   4  11 25.90   -2 20.3   1.320   2.113   129   16.0  20:38 (180, 57)

* 46P/Wirtanen

It approached to Earth down to 0.08 a.u. in mid December, and it brightened up to 3.4 mag (Dec. 14, Seiichi Yoshida). it looked so large as 3 times of Moon. Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 14.4 mag (Apr. 2, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays 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)  
Apr. 27  10 26.06   28  8.2   1.345   1.942   110   15.8  20:07 (180, 27)  
May   4  10 34.04   26 17.3   1.466   2.002   106   16.4  19:47 (180, 29)

* (944) Hidalgo

It brightened up to 14 mag from autumn to winter in 2018. Now it is fading. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27   9 43.61   53 16.1   2.385   2.616    91   15.9  19:24 (180,  2)  
May   4   9 50.25   50 30.8   2.490   2.658    88   16.0  19:03 (180,  5)

* C/2018 F4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Jan. 3, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 16 mag for a long time from 2019 to 2020. It is 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)  
Apr. 27  12 20.79  -58 20.5   3.265   3.991   130   16.1  21:59 (  0, 67)  
May   4  12  4.02  -58 17.1   3.254   3.960   128   16.0  21:15 (  0, 67)

* 38P/Stephan-Oterma

It brightened up to 9.5 mag from autumn to winter (Dec. 14, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 14.9 mag (Apr. 21, Thomas Lehmann). 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)  
Apr. 27   9 24.83   36 46.9   2.248   2.545    95   16.4  19:06 (180, 18)  
May   4   9 33.82   35 27.9   2.383   2.604    91   16.8  18:47 (180, 20)

* A/2017 U7

Asteroid, but it brightened rapidly. Now it is 17.3 mag (Nov. 14, Kunihiro Shima). It is 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)  
Apr. 27  22 28.30  -36 24.7   6.703   6.485    73   16.5   5:07 (286, 53)  
May   4  22 27.63  -36 40.2   6.584   6.478    79   16.4   5:12 (284, 60)

* 64P/Swift-Gehrels

It brightened up to 9.0 mag from autumn to winter (Nov. 16, Maik Meyer). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 15.4 mag (Apr. 2, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Apr. 27   7  2.46   21 31.5   2.550   2.371    68   16.5  18:47 (148, 26)  
May   4   7 15.14   20 56.9   2.681   2.425    64   16.9  18:41 (146, 26)

* 68P/Klemola

Now it is 18.4 mag (Apr. 4, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten rapidly after this. It will be observable at 13.5 mag in good condition in autumn. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  17 49.38   -8 23.8   1.867   2.604   127   16.8   3:32 (180, 63)  
May   4  17 50.75   -7 37.7   1.762   2.560   133   16.6   3:06 (180, 63)

* C/2010 U3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 17.1 mag (Apr. 3, 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)  
Apr. 27  10 48.08   70 57.9   8.419   8.453    88   16.8  20:28 (180,-16)  
May   4  10 47.26   70 12.1   8.481   8.455    85   16.8  20:00 (180,-15)

* C/2018 KJ3 ( Lemmon )

It will brighten up to 16.5 mag in June. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates low in the Northern Hemisphere. It has not been observed since last October. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  18 31.28  -32 23.4   3.235   3.827   119   16.9   4:14 (180, 87)  
May   4  18 21.22  -33 53.3   3.106   3.807   127   16.8   3:37 (180, 89)

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

Now it is 17.3 mag (Apr. 1, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 17 mag in good condition in 2019. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  15 46.76  -16  8.3   2.900   3.851   157   16.9   1:30 (180, 71)  
May   4  15 42.54  -16  0.2   2.875   3.859   165   16.9   0:58 (180, 71)

* C/2017 K2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Apr. 3, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is expected to be observable at 5-6 mag for a long time from 2022 to 2023. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable at the highlight from 2022 summer to 2023 summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays unobservable for a while. But it will be observable in good condition at the highlight. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  18  8.82   57 17.5  11.673  11.795    94   17.1   3:51 (180, -2)  
May   4  18  6.27   57 40.3  11.611  11.749    95   17.0   3:21 (180, -3)

* C/2014 B1 ( Schwartz )

Now it is 17.1 mag (Apr. 1, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). Fading slowly. It stays observable at 17 mag in good condition until summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  11 27.93   10 32.7   9.406  10.106   131   17.4  21:08 (180, 45)  
May   4  11 27.40   10 41.6   9.507  10.119   125   17.4  20:40 (180, 44)

* P/2018 X1 ( LONEOS )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 16.5 mag in 2005. Now it is 17.8 mag (Apr. 1, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 17.5 mag until early summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  12 57.01   -7 50.7   2.082   3.047   159   17.4  22:36 (180, 63)  
May   4  12 53.86   -7 30.6   2.100   3.029   152   17.4  22:06 (180, 63)

* 240P/NEAT

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). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 16.9 mag (Apr. 2, 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)  
Apr. 27  10 30.02   38 55.5   2.821   3.242   105   17.5  20:10 (180, 16)  
May   4  10 31.76   37 50.1   2.934   3.272   100   17.7  19:44 (180, 17)

* 186P/Garradd

In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from spring to summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable at all. It has not been observed since last September. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  17 14.17  -56 13.6   3.729   4.390   125   17.8   2:58 (  0, 69)  
May   4  17 10.71  -56 40.6   3.668   4.389   130   17.7   2:27 (  0, 68)

* C/2019 F1 ( ATLAS-Africano )

Now it is 17.7 mag (Apr. 6, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is expected to brighten up to 13.5 mag in 2021, and it will be observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable at the highlight. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  13 58.99    8 28.1   6.520   7.460   157   17.8  23:38 (180, 47)  
May   4  13 55.45    8 25.0   6.501   7.415   153   17.8  23:07 (180, 47)

* 149P/Mueller 4

Now it is 18.3 mag (Apr. 1, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It brightens up to 18 mag and it is observable in good condition from April to June. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  14  3.40   29 56.5   1.852   2.673   136   17.9  23:42 (180, 25)  
May   4  13 59.74   30 15.7   1.891   2.681   132   17.9  23:11 (180, 25)

* (6478) Gault

Main-belt asteroid. But it shows a straight tail like a comet. Now it is 17.6 mag (Apr. 6, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable in excellent condition until early summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 27  10  3.10    6 32.4   1.631   2.240   114   17.9  19:43 (180, 48)  
May   4  10  7.04    7 31.7   1.695   2.225   108   18.1  19:20 (180, 48)

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