Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2020 Jan. 4: North)

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 Updated on January 7, 2020
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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 T2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 9.7 mag (Dec. 27, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It brightens up to 8 mag in spring, and it is observable in good condition 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)  
Jan.  4   3 16.25   55 39.3   1.525   2.270   128    9.3  20:22 (180, 69)  
Jan. 11   2 56.43   56 28.1   1.541   2.210   120    9.2  19:35 (180, 68)

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is 11.5 mag (Dec. 27, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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)  
Jan.  4  23 29.46   39 52.2   3.023   3.168    89   11.9  18:31 (111, 67)  
Jan. 11  23 29.80   40 17.8   3.127   3.180    84   12.0  18:36 (112, 61)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is 14.5 mag (Dec. 27, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  4   0 29.71   12 53.3   5.715   5.784    89   13.5  18:31 ( 32, 65)  
Jan. 11   0 32.15   12 59.4   5.827   5.785    82   13.5  18:36 ( 46, 61)

* C/2018 F4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is bright as 13.8 mag (Dec. 28, 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)  
Jan.  4  23  8.40  -81 40.4   3.774   3.452    63   14.0  18:31 (  5,-28)  
Jan. 11  23 43.78  -78 48.1   3.781   3.458    63   14.0  18:36 (  7,-25)

* 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 14.9 mag (Dec. 28, 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)  
Jan.  4  22  4.43  -46 21.8   2.784   2.195    44   14.5  18:31 ( 32, -3)  
Jan. 11  22 11.99  -46 41.9   2.902   2.262    41   14.7  18:36 ( 35, -6)

* 114P/Wiseman-Skiff

Now it is 14.1 mag (Dec. 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)  
Jan.  4   2 49.82   24 55.9   0.805   1.583   124   14.5  19:57 (  0, 80)  
Jan. 11   3  2.46   22 46.3   0.843   1.580   119   14.6  19:42 (  0, 78)

* C/2019 Y1 ( ATLAS )

New bright comet. Now it is 14.8 mag (Dec. 30, Hidetaka Sato). It approaches to Sun down to 0.84 a.u. in March, then it brightens up to 12 mag. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time, although it becomes extremely low in March. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable only until late January. It seems to be a fragment of C/1988 A1 (Liller), like C/1996 Q1 (Tabur) and C/2015 F3 (SWAN). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  4  23 39.92  -26 57.2   1.661   1.510    63   14.9  18:31 ( 25, 24)  
Jan. 11  23 39.45  -21 44.2   1.662   1.418    58   14.6  18:36 ( 35, 25)

* 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)  
Jan.  4  18 19.11  -70 16.4   2.598   2.069    47   14.7   5:38 (337,-32)  
Jan. 11  19  8.41  -72 25.3   2.531   2.051    50   14.6   5:38 (339,-34)

* 68P/Klemola

Now it is 15.1 mag (Dec. 27, 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)  
Jan.  4  22 19.79  -10 38.9   2.355   1.882    50   14.8  18:31 ( 52, 27)  
Jan. 11  22 37.53   -9 27.5   2.426   1.905    47   15.0  18:36 ( 56, 26)

* C/2018 A6 ( Gibbs )

Now it is 14.6 mag (Dec. 28, 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)  
Jan.  4  22 11.11  -58 16.1   3.934   3.380    49   15.1  18:31 ( 24,-11)  
Jan. 11  22 20.42  -55 54.0   4.007   3.407    46   15.2  18:36 ( 28,-12)

* 2I/2019 Q4 ( Borisov )

Now it is 14.3 mag (Dec. 27, Shigeki Murakami). 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 unobservable in mid January. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable in excellent condition. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  4  12 10.13  -38 12.6   1.943   2.091    84   15.1   5:19 (  0, 17)  
Jan. 11  12 20.06  -42 58.6   1.962   2.140    86   15.3   5:01 (  0, 12)

* 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 14.7 mag (Dec. 31, 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)  
Jan.  4   6  0.07  -32 15.8   5.046   5.647   123   15.2  23:05 (  0, 23)  
Jan. 11   5 54.06  -31 21.1   5.116   5.703   122   15.3  22:32 (  0, 24)

* 160P/LINEAR

Now it is 14.8 mag (Dec. 23, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will fade out rapidly after this, and it will be fainter than 18 mag in March. 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)  
Jan.  4  22 21.05   -3 41.8   2.223   1.813    53   15.4  18:31 ( 58, 33)  
Jan. 11  22 36.91   -1 34.2   2.283   1.825    50   15.6  18:36 ( 63, 31)

* C/2017 B3 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 14.8 mag (Dec. 28, Chris Wyatt). It will be fading slowly after this. 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)  
Jan.  4  23  5.84  -24 17.4   5.320   4.853    56   15.4  18:31 ( 34, 22)  
Jan. 11  23  9.69  -22 59.0   5.441   4.887    51   15.5  18:36 ( 41, 20)

* 155P/Shoemaker 3

Now it is 15.6 mag (Dec. 27, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will fade out rapidly 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)  
Jan.  4  11 16.36   11 41.8   1.217   1.882   117   15.4   4:25 (  0, 67)  
Jan. 11  11 22.59   11 49.7   1.183   1.905   122   15.6   4:04 (  0, 67)

* 78P/Gehrels 2

Now it is 15.6 mag (Dec. 28, 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)  
Jan.  4   9 35.23    5 21.8   2.091   2.896   137   15.5   2:45 (  0, 60)  
Jan. 11   9 31.42    5 30.5   2.064   2.928   145   15.6   2:13 (  0, 60)

* 246P/NEAT

Now it is 16.0 mag (Jan. 1, 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)  
Jan.  4  13  2.81   11 36.4   3.358   3.546    92   15.7   5:38 (340, 65)  
Jan. 11  13  7.18   11 41.3   3.243   3.528    98   15.6   5:38 (354, 66)

* 260P/McNaught

It brightened up to 11.4 mag in autumn (Nov. 10, Carlos Labordena). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 14.8 mag (Dec. 28, Chris Wyatt). 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)  
Jan.  4   2 51.09   43 18.6   1.132   1.887   126   15.6  19:58 (180, 82)  
Jan. 11   3  1.01   42 23.1   1.225   1.933   121   16.0  19:41 (180, 83)

* C/2019 N1 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 15.6 mag (Jan. 4, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Jan.  4  17 51.90   60 20.2   4.216   4.231    84   15.9   5:38 (216, 34)  
Jan. 11  17 59.68   60 26.9   4.149   4.167    84   15.8   5:38 (217, 37)

* 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 18.0 mag (Dec. 29, Michael Jager). Michael Jager reported it has a faint coma with a diameter of 50-60 arcsec. 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)  
Jan.  4  23 39.00   28 16.5   0.104   0.980    85   16.7  18:31 ( 83, 68)  
Jan. 11   0 45.14   53 43.8   0.091   1.006   101   15.9  18:36 (156, 67)

* C/2017 K2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 15.3 mag (Jan. 5, 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 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)  
Jan.  4  17 51.12   45 23.6  10.397  10.100    69   16.1   5:38 (233, 30)  
Jan. 11  17 54.84   45 26.2  10.336  10.051    70   16.1   5:38 (235, 34)

* 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. 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)  
Jan.  4  14 32.79  -62 36.9   5.020   4.588    58   16.1   5:38 (346,-11)  
Jan. 11  14 32.47  -64 16.6   4.991   4.631    63   16.1   5:38 (350,-11)

* 101P/Chernykh

Now it is 15.4 mag (Dec. 23, 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)  
Jan.  4   0 31.39   -2 20.5   2.244   2.346    83   16.2  18:31 ( 21, 51)  
Jan. 11   0 41.06   -1  5.0   2.323   2.345    79   16.3  18:36 ( 30, 50)

* C/2019 F1 ( ATLAS-Africano )

Now it is 17.0 mag (Jan. 3, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Jan.  4  14 50.37  -11 57.8   6.295   5.852    59   16.7   5:38 (318, 32)  
Jan. 11  14 53.39  -12 33.2   6.149   5.808    65   16.6   5:38 (325, 35)

* C/2010 U3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Dec. 28, 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)  
Jan.  4  13 28.04   52 47.5   8.364   8.643   103   16.8   5:38 (206, 69)  
Jan. 11  13 29.59   53  8.7   8.314   8.652   106   16.8   5:38 (195, 71)

* C/2015 O1 ( PanSTARRS )

Fading. Now it is 17.6 mag (Dec. 27, 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)  
Jan.  4   8 43.23   23 53.0   5.889   6.795   155   17.0   1:53 (  0, 79)  
Jan. 11   8 36.82   23 55.3   5.889   6.839   163   17.0   1:19 (  0, 79)

* 88P/Howell

Now it is 18.2 mag (Jan. 1, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten very rapidly after this. 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)  
Jan.  4  13 11.30   -3 20.0   2.703   2.796    85   17.5   5:38 (343, 50)  
Jan. 11  13 17.80   -3 53.5   2.564   2.754    90   17.2   5:38 (352, 51)

* C/2019 L3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 16.6 mag (Dec. 27, 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)  
Jan.  4  22 18.68   40 39.8   7.246   7.125    79   17.3  18:31 (113, 53)  
Jan. 11  22 22.96   40 30.0   7.275   7.080    74   17.3  18:36 (114, 48)

* 76P/West-Kohoutek-Ikemura

Now it is 17.5 mag (Jan. 5, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is brightening even after the perihelion passage. It will be fainter than 18 mag in January. However, it may stay bright for some more time. 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)  
Jan.  4  10 42.34   48  1.4   0.952   1.745   128   17.5   3:51 (180, 77)  
Jan. 11  10 48.43   51 16.2   0.962   1.773   131   17.7   3:30 (180, 74)

* 173P/Mueller 5

Now it is 17.9 mag (Dec. 5, R. L. Flynn). 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)  
Jan.  4   2 52.06    1 41.0   4.552   5.079   117   17.5  19:58 (  0, 57)  
Jan. 11   2 51.53    2  5.5   4.637   5.066   110   17.6  19:30 (  0, 57)

* C/2019 T3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Dec. 28, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable at 16.5 mag for a long time from 2020 to 2021. In the Northern Hemipshere, it is observable in excellent condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until 2021 summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  4   1 17.13   79 31.2   6.189   6.641   113   17.6  18:31 (180, 45)  
Jan. 11   1  5.99   78  5.7   6.212   6.620   110   17.6  18:36 (176, 47)

* C/2019 K5 ( Young )

Now it is 17.0 mag (Dec. 27, 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)  
Jan.  4   3 10.38   -0 28.0   2.407   3.028   120   17.6  20:17 (  0, 55)  
Jan. 11   3 12.66    0  9.1   2.542   3.084   114   17.8  19:52 (  0, 55)

* A/2019 C1

Asteroid moving along a comet-like orbit. Now it is 16.5 mag (Dec. 27, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable at 17 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)  
Jan.  4  10 59.84  -24 47.0   6.325   6.632   104   17.7   4:09 (  0, 30)  
Jan. 11  11  0.04  -25  2.7   6.225   6.627   110   17.6   3:41 (  0, 30)

* 124P/Mrkos

Now it is 17.8 mag (Dec. 28, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 16 mag in March, and it will be observable in good condition. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  4  11 55.10   44  0.1   1.307   1.953   116   17.8   5:04 (180, 81)  
Jan. 11  11 59.35   44  3.8   1.225   1.921   120   17.7   4:41 (180, 81)

* C/2014 B1 ( Schwartz )

Now it is 17.7 mag (Dec. 31, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fainter than 18 mag in 2020 spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  4  12 43.62    7  5.2  10.494  10.633    95   17.8   5:38 (352, 62)  
Jan. 11  12 44.49    7 15.4  10.396  10.650   102   17.8   5:26 (  0, 62)

* (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)  
Jan.  4  13 45.27   -1 25.7   4.266   4.175    78   17.8   5:38 (330, 49)  
Jan. 11  13 47.24   -1 52.0   4.196   4.216    84   17.8   5:38 (340, 51)

* 203P/Korlevic

Now it is 16.5 mag (Dec. 28, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 17 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)  
Jan.  4   3 55.99   22 50.0   2.411   3.216   138   17.8  21:02 (  0, 78)  
Jan. 11   3 54.87   22 38.1   2.477   3.213   131   17.9  20:34 (  0, 78)

* C/2018 A3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.8 mag (Dec. 27, 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)  
Jan.  4   0 57.15   26 48.5   4.340   4.620   100   17.8  18:31 ( 37, 80)  
Jan. 11   0 56.18   25 32.6   4.507   4.663    92   18.0  18:36 ( 58, 74)

* C/2016 N6 ( PanSTARRS )

Fading now. Now it is 16.3 mag (Dec. 26, Martin 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)  
Jan.  4   4 50.75  -55 43.1   5.553   5.758    97   17.9  21:55 (  0, -1)  
Jan. 11   4 41.30  -55 20.0   5.639   5.810    95   18.0  21:19 (  0,  0)

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

It will brighten up to 13 mag in 2022. In 2020, it is observable at 17.5 mag in good condition in spring. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  4  10 55.54   17 45.4   4.014   4.635   123   18.0   4:05 (  0, 73)  
Jan. 11  10 54.60   18  6.0   3.917   4.623   131   17.9   3:36 (  0, 73)

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