Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2019 Dec. 21: South)

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Updated on December 20, 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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* C/2017 T2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 9.7 mag (Dec. 18, Carlos Labordena). It is expected to brighten up to 8 mag in 2020. It stays observable in good condition for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until July.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21   4  0.54   52 54.7   1.529   2.393   143    9.5  22:01 (180,  2)  
Dec. 28   3 38.07   54 29.6   1.520   2.331   136    9.4  21:11 (180,  0)  

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is 11.8 mag (Dec. 18, Maik Meyer). It stays bright as 11 mag until January. It stays observable in good condition for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere. 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. 21  23 32.70   39 21.3   2.812   3.149   100   11.7  20:59 (143,  2)  
Dec. 28  23 30.36   39 33.6   2.918   3.158    94   11.8  21:03 (138, -3)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is 14.5 mag (Dec. 4, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21   0 26.29   12 51.3   5.490   5.783   102   13.4  20:59 (136, 30)  
Dec. 28   0 27.74   12 50.6   5.602   5.783    95   13.5  21:03 (130, 26)  

* C/2018 W2 ( Africano )

It brightened up to 8.3 mag in September (Sept. 20, Maik Meyer). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 13.1 mag (Nov. 19, Chris Wyatt). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time after this. 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. 21  21 51.01  -45 39.1   2.512   2.063    52   13.9  20:59 ( 54, 33)  
Dec. 28  21 57.40  -46  1.2   2.654   2.128    48   14.2  21:03 ( 52, 29)  

* C/2018 F4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is bright as 13.5 mag (Dec. 4, Chris Wyatt). It stays 14 mag until spring. It stays observable for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere. It is not observable until August in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  19 57.05  -86  7.4   3.772   3.443    63   14.0  20:59 (  5, 34)  
Dec. 28  22  5.95  -84 17.6   3.771   3.447    63   14.0  21:03 (  7, 36)  

* 114P/Wiseman-Skiff

Now it is 14.5 mag (Nov. 28, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable at 14 mag in excellent 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. 21   2 29.05   30  2.4   0.748   1.598   134   14.4  20:59 (173, 25)  
Dec. 28   2 38.58   27 22.0   0.773   1.589   129   14.5  21:03 (168, 27)  

* 155P/Shoemaker 3

Now it is 15.4 mag (Dec. 4, Chris Wyatt). It is observable at 14.5 mag in good condition in winter. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  10 59.11   11 56.9   1.297   1.844   107   14.5   2:55 (219, 34)  
Dec. 28  11  8.50   11 44.4   1.255   1.862   111   14.5   2:59 (213, 37)  

* 68P/Klemola

Now it is 14.0 mag (Nov. 29, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading slowly after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  21 43.46  -12 46.1   2.217   1.844    55   14.5  20:59 ( 86, 17)  
Dec. 28  22  1.75  -11 45.4   2.285   1.862    52   14.7  21:03 ( 85, 14)  

* 260P/McNaught

It brightened up to 11.4 mag in autumn (Nov. 10, Carlos Labordena). It will fade out rapidly after this. It has already faded down to 13.2 mag (Dec. 5, Thomas Lehmann). It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It stays locating extremely low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21   2 34.86   45 25.2   0.966   1.798   134   14.7  20:59 (176,  9)  
Dec. 28   2 42.28   44 19.6   1.046   1.842   130   15.2  21:03 (172, 10)  

* C/2019 K1 ( ATLAS )

In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable at 14.5 mag from winter to spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until August when it fades down to 17 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  17 12.04  -65 15.0   2.735   2.115    42   14.9   2:55 (339, 19)  
Dec. 28  17 41.36  -67 48.6   2.667   2.091    44   14.8   2:59 (341, 21)  

* C/2018 A6 ( Gibbs )

Now it is 14.2 mag (Dec. 2, Chris Wyatt). It will be fading slowly after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it becomes low from February to March, but it stays observable for a long time. 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)  
Dec. 21  21 50.69  -63 20.6   3.784   3.328    55   14.9  20:59 ( 33, 37)  
Dec. 28  22  1.25  -60 45.0   3.859   3.353    52   15.0  21:03 ( 36, 34)  

* 2I/2019 Q4 ( Borisov )

Now it is 14.7 mag (Nov. 29, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). The orbit is extremely hyperbolic with e=3.35. It is the first interstellar comet in history. It stays 15 mag until January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be getting lower after this, and it will be unobservable in mid January. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be getting higher gradually. Then it will be observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  11 48.67  -27 53.8   1.944   2.026    80   15.0   2:55 (272, 52)  
Dec. 28  11 59.63  -33  9.5   1.937   2.053    82   15.1   2:59 (278, 58)  

* 160P/LINEAR

Now it is 14.8 mag (Dec. 1, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays at 14.5-15 mag until December. It is observable in good 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)  
Dec. 21  21 49.35   -7 53.7   2.103   1.796    58   15.0  20:59 ( 91, 15)  
Dec. 28  22  5.19   -5 48.5   2.163   1.803    55   15.2  21:03 ( 91, 11)  

* C/2016 M1 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened up to 7.7 mag in June in 2018 (June 19, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 15.1 mag (Nov. 6, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time until the comet will fade out. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays low for a while.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21   6 13.30  -33 40.1   4.941   5.535   122   15.1   0:18 (180, 89)  
Dec. 28   6  6.53  -33  2.4   4.988   5.591   123   15.2  23:39 (180, 88)  

* 78P/Gehrels 2

Now it is 15.7 mag (Nov. 29, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading gradually after this. It will be fainter than 18 mag in April.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21   9 39.65    5 27.3   2.175   2.831   122   15.2   2:55 (199, 48)  
Dec. 28   9 38.02    5 20.7   2.129   2.863   130   15.3   2:59 (186, 50)  

* C/2017 B3 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 14.7 mag (Nov. 19, Chris Wyatt). In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable for a long time. It stays low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  22 59.19  -26 59.1   5.064   4.786    68   15.6  20:59 ( 82, 39)  
Dec. 28  23  2.32  -25 37.5   5.194   4.819    62   15.7  21:03 ( 80, 33)  

* 246P/NEAT

Now it is 17.2 mag (Nov. 28, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 13.5-14 mag from 2020 to 2021. It stays observable in good condition for a long time after this until 2020 summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  12 52.29   11 43.4   3.591   3.581    81   16.0   2:55 (243, 16)  
Dec. 28  12 57.83   11 37.2   3.475   3.564    87   15.8   2:59 (238, 21)  

* C/2019 N1 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Nov. 1, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will brighten up to 10.5 mag from 2020 December to 2021 January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition while the comet will be brightening gradually, but it is not observable at the high light. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable for a long time, but it will be observable in good condition after the high light.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  17 35.95   60 36.4   4.348   4.359    84   16.1   2:55 (215,-50)  
Dec. 28  17 43.97   60 23.5   4.283   4.295    84   16.0   2:59 (216,-47)  

* C/2017 M4 ( ATLAS )

It will be fading slowly after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time, although it becomes low from October to November. It will never be observable after this in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  14 30.07  -59 26.0   5.064   4.502    50   16.1   2:55 (323, 32)  
Dec. 28  14 31.90  -60 59.9   5.045   4.545    54   16.1   2:59 (324, 36)  

* 101P/Chernykh

Now it is 16.0 mag (Nov. 28, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 15-16 mag until December, and it is observable in good condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21   0 14.01   -4 41.0   2.090   2.353    92   16.1  20:59 (119, 41)  
Dec. 28   0 22.34   -3 32.8   2.167   2.349    88   16.1  21:03 (116, 37)  

* C/2017 K2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Nov. 14, Thomas Lehmann). 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 high light 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 high light.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  17 43.50   45 30.5  10.508  10.197    68   16.2   2:55 (239,-53)  
Dec. 28  17 47.33   45 25.0  10.455  10.148    69   16.2   2:59 (239,-48)  

* C/2019 F1 ( ATLAS-Africano )

It will brighten up to 13 mag in 2021. In 2020, it is observable at 15 mag in good condition from spring to summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  14 43.49  -10 44.4   6.567   5.939    46   16.8   2:55 (278,  8)  
Dec. 28  14 47.05  -11 21.5   6.435   5.895    52   16.7   2:59 (275, 14)  

* C/2010 U3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Dec. 4, 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 hardly observable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  13 23.27   52 12.3   8.472   8.626    95   16.8   2:55 (216,-15)  
Dec. 28  13 25.92   52 28.6   8.416   8.634    99   16.8   2:59 (213,-12)  

* C/2015 O1 ( PanSTARRS )

Fading. Now it is 17.6 mag (Nov. 28, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 17 mag from autumn to 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)  
Dec. 21   8 55.09   23 46.6   5.937   6.707   138   17.0   2:55 (181, 31)  
Dec. 28   8 49.36   23 50.0   5.905   6.751   146   17.0   2:27 (180, 31)  

* C/2019 K5 ( Young )

Now it is 16.0 mag (Nov. 29, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays bright even after the perihelion passage. It will fade out rapidly after this, and it will be fainter than 18 mag in January. However, it may stay bright for some more time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21   3  8.45   -1 28.2   2.159   2.918   132   17.2  21:10 (180, 56)  
Dec. 28   3  8.97   -1  0.9   2.279   2.972   126   17.4  21:03 (171, 56)  

* C/2018 DO4 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 16.5 mag (Nov. 29, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading after this, and it will be fainter than 18 mag in January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21   1 14.95   -7 13.4   2.303   2.734   105   17.2  20:59 (133, 53)  
Dec. 28   1  5.82   -7 52.0   2.484   2.769    96   17.4  21:03 (121, 47)  

* C/2019 L3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.3 mag (Nov. 30, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 12 mag in winter in 2022.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  22 11.32   41 12.5   7.184   7.216    87   17.4  20:59 (133,-11)  
Dec. 28  22 14.79   40 54.1   7.215   7.170    83   17.3  21:03 (130,-15)  

* 289P/Blanpain

It brighted rapidly from 20.5 mag up to 18.5 mag in September. However, the brightness evolution has stopped since October. Now it is very faint as 18.9 mag (Nov. 21, Katsumi Yoshimoto). It will approaches to Earth down to 0.09 a.u. in early January, and it will brighten up to 15.5 mag. It will be obesrvable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will not be observable at the high light.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  22 56.13   -0 34.1   0.169   0.959    76   17.9  20:59 (108, 24)  
Dec. 28  23 11.80   10 27.1   0.133   0.964    77   17.4  21:03 (115, 14)  

* 173P/Mueller 5

Now it is 17.4 mag (Oct. 31, Ken-ichi Kadota). It is observable at 17-18 mag for a long time from late 2019 to early 2021. It will fade out before it passes the perihelion.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21   2 54.99    1  2.7   4.403   5.106   131   17.5  20:59 (179, 54)  
Dec. 28   2 53.22    1 20.0   4.473   5.093   124   17.5  21:03 (165, 53)  

* C/2018 A3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.3 mag (Nov. 29, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading after this. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays extremely low for a long time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21   1  2.10   29 50.9   4.023   4.536   115   17.6  20:59 (153, 20)  
Dec. 28   0 59.08   28 14.6   4.178   4.578   107   17.7  21:03 (146, 18)  

* C/2016 N6 ( PanSTARRS )

Fading now. Now it is 17.1 mag (Oct. 5, M. Masek). 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)  
Dec. 21   5 12.35  -55 56.1   5.397   5.654   100   17.7  23:12 (  0, 69)  
Dec. 28   5  1.19  -55 55.7   5.472   5.706    98   17.8  22:33 (  0, 69)  

* 88P/Howell

It will brighten up to 8-9 mag from summer to autumn. It will be observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates very low around the high light in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  12 57.11   -2  2.7   2.980   2.880    74   18.0   2:55 (255, 24)  
Dec. 28  13  4.38   -2 42.9   2.842   2.838    79   17.7   2:59 (251, 29)  

* A/2019 C1

Asteroid moving along a comet-like orbit. Now it is 16.9 mag (Dec. 3, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable at 17.5 mag from 2020 to 2021. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  10 58.07  -24  4.7   6.532   6.643    92   17.8   2:55 (257, 60)  
Dec. 28  10 59.20  -24 27.5   6.427   6.637    98   17.7   2:59 (250, 67)  

* 203P/Korlevic

Now it is 17.2 mag (Dec. 2, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 17-18 mag in good condition in winter. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21   4  1.34   23 21.5   2.310   3.225   154   17.8  22:02 (180, 32)  
Dec. 28   3 58.18   23  4.7   2.355   3.221   146   17.8  21:32 (180, 32)  

* (944) Hidalgo

It brightened up to 14 mag from autumn to winter in 2018. Now it is fading. It is observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from winter to spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21  13 39.46   -0 22.0   4.396   4.091    65   17.8   2:55 (260, 15)  
Dec. 28  13 42.66   -0 55.6   4.334   4.133    71   17.8   2:59 (256, 21)  

* 200P/Larsen

Now it is very faint as 19.7 mag (Oct. 25, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It brightened up to 15.5 mag in 1997, and 17 mag in 2008, however, it is much fainter in this apparition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 21   1  9.34   12 17.5   2.896   3.390   112   20.6  20:59 (147, 36)  
Dec. 28   1 12.47   12  8.5   3.000   3.399   105   20.7  21:03 (139, 33)  

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