Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2020 Aug. 22: South)

Japanese version
Home page
Updated on August 22, 2020
Last week North Next week

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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

* C/2020 F3 ( NEOWISE )

Great comet. It approached to Sun down to 0.29 a.u. on July 3, and it brightened up to 0.6 mag (Alan Hale). Now it is fading. But it is still bright as 7.7 mag (Aug. 20, Osamu Miyazaki). It stays observable in the evening sky until early October when it fades down to 12 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  14  4.99    2 34.3   1.394   1.250    60    8.3  18:58 (123, 34)  
Aug. 29  14 19.27   -1 34.7   1.618   1.381    57    9.1  19:03 (115, 34)  

* 88P/Howell

Now it is 9.3 mag (Aug. 19, Katsumi Yoshimoto). It stays bright as 8-9 mag until autumn. It will be observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates very low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  14 35.39  -17 34.7   1.322   1.409    72    9.4  18:58 (109, 53)  
Aug. 29  14 55.06  -19 21.0   1.335   1.390    71    9.3  19:03 (103, 52)  

* C/2017 T2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 10.9 mag (Aug. 15, Carlos Labordena). It stays observable in the evening sky until September when it fades down to 12 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  13 58.36    8  3.2   2.527   2.160    57   10.6  18:58 (125, 29)  
Aug. 29  14  8.37    4 48.2   2.653   2.219    54   10.8  19:03 (118, 28)  

* C/2020 K8 ( Catalina-ATLAS )

Now it is 14.2 mag (Aug. 18, Alan Hale). Small comet. But it approaches to Sun down to 0.47 a.u. in September, and it was expected to brighten up to 11 mag. But actually, it is much fainter than this ephemeris recently. It will be unobservable soon.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   6 54.36   18 34.4   0.634   0.735    46   11.7   5:07 (234, 14)  
Aug. 29   7 57.32   10 58.5   0.727   0.622    37   11.2   4:59 (247, 12)  

* C/2019 U6 ( Lemmon )

It brightened up to 6.0 mag in June (June 13, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 10.6 mag (Aug. 19, Osamu Miyazaki). It stays observable in good condition for a long time after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  14 41.33   21 34.3   1.492   1.430    66   11.7  18:58 (144, 24)  
Aug. 29  15  2.10   22 12.2   1.612   1.516    66   12.3  19:03 (142, 23)  

* 2P/Encke

Now it is 10.9 mag (Aug. 8, Marco Goiato). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition in the evening sky while the comet will be fading. It locates very low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  15  3.62  -30 40.3   0.837   1.234    83   13.3  18:58 ( 92, 65)  
Aug. 29  15 45.66  -31 37.3   0.958   1.337    85   14.2  19:03 ( 91, 68)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Outburst occured on July 27. It is bright as 13.6 mag still now (Aug. 20, Sandor Szabo).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   2 52.62   26 45.8   5.553   5.819   100   13.5   4:51 (180, 28)  
Aug. 29   2 53.26   27  0.7   5.449   5.821   106   13.4   4:24 (180, 28)  

* C/2019 N1 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 14.0 mag (Aug. 20, Sandor Szabo). It is expected to brighten up to 12 mag from autumn to winter. It will be unobservable soon also in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky in December, then it stays observable in good condition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be observable in the extremely low sky only from November to December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  12 24.05   29 13.4   2.875   2.151    36   13.6  18:58 (125, -1)  
Aug. 29  12 29.65   25 44.0   2.878   2.099    32   13.5  19:03 (118, -4)  

* 58P/Jackson-Neujmin

Recovered from SWAN images after 24-year blank. It brightened up to 10.2 mag in spring (May 31, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 15.2 mag (Aug. 21, Sandor Szabo). 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)  
Aug. 22   5 58.24   12 18.0   1.963   1.703    60   13.6   5:07 (228, 28)  
Aug. 29   6 12.94   11 47.4   1.954   1.749    63   13.8   4:59 (228, 29)  

* 246P/NEAT

Now it is 14.2 mag (July 16, Paul Camilleri). It stays 13-14 mag from 2020 to 2021. It will be unobservable in September.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  13 27.63    1  2.9   3.556   3.030    51   14.4  18:58 (114, 29)  
Aug. 29  13 35.91   -0 14.6   3.613   3.018    47   14.4  19:03 (108, 25)  

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is 14.0 mag (Aug. 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 14 mag until autumn. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  12 54.29   78 48.8   4.363   4.129    70   14.5  18:58 (169,-29)  
Aug. 29  13 17.84   76 50.3   4.389   4.171    70   14.5  19:03 (166,-28)  

* C/2020 H4 ( Leonard )

It was expected to brighten very rapidly, and brighten up to 14.5 mag from August to September. However, its current brightness is very uncertain. It could not be detected as fainter than 18.0 mag on June 30 (Charles S. Morris), and fainter than 15.7 mag on July 13 (Sandor Szabo). However, Giuseppe Pappa reported as 14 mag on July 10, and Thomas Lehmann reported it is bright as 15.2 mag on July 12. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time, although it becomes extremely low in early September. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until late October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  10 38.79   48 18.7   1.529   0.947    37   14.7  18:58 (130,-29)  
Aug. 29  10 41.61   42 34.4   1.601   0.939    33   14.7  19:03 (122,-32)  

* C/2017 K2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 15.0 mag (Aug. 14, 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 is only visible in the extremely low sky in summer in 2020. 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)  
Aug. 22  17  6.33   48  1.0   8.359   8.441    91   14.9  19:02 (180,  7)  
Aug. 29  17  5.07   47  6.3   8.347   8.389    88   14.8  19:03 (175,  8)  

* C/2019 F1 ( ATLAS-Africano )

Now it is 15.4 mag (July 9, R. Carstens). It will brighten up to 13 mag in 2021. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable at 15 mag until October. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until July in 2022.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  13 58.89  -26 33.9   4.774   4.504    68   14.9  18:58 ( 89, 50)  
Aug. 29  14  2.46  -27 17.4   4.834   4.468    63   14.9  19:03 ( 84, 45)  

* C/2020 Q1 ( Borisov )

Bright new comet. Now it is 15.5 mag (Aug. 21, Sandor Szabo). It approaches to Earth down to 0.7 a.u. in September, and it will brighten up to 14 mag. It stays observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemipshere. In the Southern Hemipshere, it is not obserbvable at the high light.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   5 31.43   32 53.2   1.364   1.319    65   15.4   5:07 (210, 14)  
Aug. 29   5 21.36   38 31.0   1.183   1.331    74   15.1   4:59 (202, 12)  

* C/2020 F8 ( SWAN )

It brightened up to 4.7 mag in early May (May 2, Marco Goiato). However, it has faded and got diffused after that. It had already faded down to 7.3 mag in late May (May 21, Mitsunori Tsumura). It is appearing in the morning sky. However, maybe it has already disappeared. It stays observable in good condition after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   6 46.18   15 44.3   2.326   1.818    48   15.1   5:07 (235, 18)  
Aug. 29   6 46.82   13 51.7   2.323   1.927    54   15.4   4:59 (233, 22)  

* C/2020 F5 ( MASTER )

Now it is 15.1 mag (July 26, J. Drummond). It stays 14-15 mag until 2021. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until June in 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  15 36.18  -77 14.1   4.390   4.671    99   15.2  18:58 (  7, 47)  
Aug. 29  15 52.65  -76 22.2   4.420   4.650    96   15.2  19:03 (  8, 47)  

* C/2020 P1 ( NEOWISE )

New comet. Now it is 15.5 mag (Aug. 4, M. Mattiazzo). Although it is a tiny comet, it will approach to Sun down to 0.34 a.u. on Oct. 20, and it is expected to brighten up to 8.5 mag. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition until late September when it brightens up to 11.5 mag. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays unobservable for a while. But it will appear in the morning sky at 10 mag in late October. Then it stasy observable while the comet will be fading rapidly.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  12 24.94  -66 42.6   1.118   1.408    82   15.7  18:58 ( 29, 40)  
Aug. 29  12 24.79  -63 18.9   1.071   1.281    75   15.2  19:03 ( 33, 36)  

* C/2020 J1 ( SONEAR )

Now it is 15.5 mag (July 18, P. Camilleri, H. Williams, J. Oey, M. Al-Bussadi). It will brighten up to 13.5 mag in spring in 2021. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until spring in 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  18 19.53  -63 36.2   3.484   4.019   115   15.3  20:15 (  0, 62)  
Aug. 29  18  0.37  -62  1.5   3.545   3.985   108   15.3  19:28 (  0, 63)  

* C/2019 L3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 14.9 mag (Aug. 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 12 mag in winter in 2022. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until 2021 November.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   0 54.75   63  0.8   5.413   5.649    98   15.4   2:54 (180, -8)  
Aug. 29   0 52.44   63 46.9   5.307   5.606   102   15.3   2:24 (180, -9)  

* C/2018 F4 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened up to 13.5 mag in winter (Dec. 6, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading slowly. Now it is 15.1 mag (July 25, ATLAS-MLO, Mauna Loa). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is appearing in the morning sky, but it stays low for a while.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   3 18.36  -36 26.6   3.789   4.187   106   15.5   5:07 (306, 88)  
Aug. 29   3 14.00  -36 52.6   3.756   4.222   110   15.5   4:44 (  0, 88)  

* C/2019 K7 ( Smith )

Now it is 15.5 mag (Aug. 14, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 15-16 mag for a long time until 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  18 53.75   20 14.3   3.874   4.507   123   15.5  20:49 (180, 35)  
Aug. 29  18 46.74   20 13.1   3.958   4.514   117   15.5  20:14 (180, 35)  

* 84P/Giclas

Now it is 15.5 mag (Aug. 18, Giuseppe Pappa). It stays 15.5 mag from summer to winter, and observable in good condition. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   6 25.28   19 30.4   2.291   1.869    53   15.6   5:07 (229, 18)  
Aug. 29   6 41.15   19 28.0   2.261   1.895    56   15.5   4:59 (228, 19)  

* 115P/Maury

Now it is 15.9 mag (Aug. 11, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable until December when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  19 11.03   -7  5.1   1.209   2.067   136   15.6  21:07 (180, 62)  
Aug. 29  19 14.26   -8 14.3   1.261   2.073   131   15.8  20:43 (180, 63)  

* C/2020 M3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.0 mag (July 29, ATLAS-MLO, Mauna Loa). It will brighten up to 14 mag in November, and will be observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   2 30.64  -36  8.5   0.850   1.580   115   16.1   4:28 (  0, 89)  
Aug. 29   2 50.97  -36 24.3   0.786   1.523   115   15.8   4:21 (  0, 89)  

* C/2017 U7 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 15.6 mag (July 25, ATLAS-MLO, Mauna Loa). It is observable at 15-16 mag in 2020. 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)  
Aug. 22  18 16.18  -27  4.4   6.204   6.827   124   15.9  20:12 (180, 82)  
Aug. 29  18 11.75  -26 41.2   6.329   6.844   116   15.9  19:40 (180, 82)  

* C/2018 U1 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 15.3 mag (Aug. 20, Sandor Szabo). It will stay at 15 mag for a long time from 2021 to 2022. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition while brightening gradually. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays locating low for a long time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  17 36.34   24 57.0   5.652   5.994   104   16.0  19:32 (180, 30)  
Aug. 29  17 33.27   23 32.8   5.701   5.966   100   16.0  19:03 (180, 32)  

* 162P/Siding Spring

Now it is 16.8 mag (July 2, R. Carstens). It brightens up to 16 mag from summer to winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable in excellent condition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until late October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  21 31.47  -70 41.8   0.999   1.748   120   16.2  23:26 (  0, 54)  
Aug. 29  21 13.73  -70  2.6   0.974   1.702   118   16.1  22:41 (  0, 55)  

* C/2019 T2 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 16.0 mag (Aug. 20, Sandor Szabo). It will brighten up to 14.5 mag from spring to summer in 2021. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable in good condition in 2020, however, it will be unobservable in 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  22 39.07   -3 41.8   2.638   3.634   168   16.3   0:38 (180, 58)  
Aug. 29  22 29.44   -6 18.3   2.579   3.588   176   16.2   0:01 (180, 61)  

* 304P/Ory

Now it is 15.7 mag (Aug. 17, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 16 mag until late September. 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)  
Aug. 22   5 48.80   22 44.5   1.377   1.264    61   16.3   5:07 (219, 21)  
Aug. 29   6 14.65   22 57.9   1.373   1.274    62   16.2   4:59 (221, 20)  

* 257P/Catalina

Now it is 16.9 mag (Aug. 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 16.5 mag until October, and observable in good condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  20 13.33   14 35.9   1.260   2.148   141   16.3  22:08 (180, 40)  
Aug. 29  20 12.31   13 13.7   1.278   2.145   138   16.3  21:40 (180, 42)  

* C/2017 B3 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 13.8 mag in autumn in 2019 (Sept. 3, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading slowly. Now it is 15.6 mag (Aug. 20, Sandor Szabo). In 2020, it stays observable in good condition while the comet will be fading from 16 to 17 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   0 28.35    1 22.6   5.289   6.118   142   16.4   2:27 (180, 54)  
Aug. 29   0 24.77    1 30.1   5.267   6.159   149   16.4   1:56 (180, 53)  

* C/2019 T4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Apr. 24, J. Drummond). It is expected to brighten up to 13 mag in 2022. In 2020, it is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable. It will be observable from autumn to winter, but it locating extremely low.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   7 47.12  -27 16.0   7.299   6.714    51   16.6   5:07 (283, 31)  
Aug. 29   7 52.39  -27 46.7   7.228   6.674    53   16.5   4:59 (282, 34)  

* 17P/Holmes

Now it is 16.4 mag (July 29, ATLAS-MLO, Mauna Loa). It brightens up to 15 mag in winter. But it is not observable at high light. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition until autumn when the comet will brighten up to 16 mag. It stays locating very low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  17 52.48  -39 18.7   1.844   2.487   118   16.7  19:49 (  0, 86)  
Aug. 29  17 55.03  -38  3.4   1.892   2.461   112   16.6  19:24 (  0, 87)  

* C/2017 Y2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.0 mag (Aug. 20, Sandor Szabo). It is observable at 16.5-17 mag from spring in 2020 to summer in 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  17 33.60   12 19.4   4.250   4.670   108   16.7  19:29 (180, 43)  
Aug. 29  17 28.43   10 43.7   4.344   4.663   102   16.7  19:03 (178, 44)  

* C/2019 T3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Aug. 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 16.5-17 mag from 2020 to 2021. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until summer in 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   0 58.70   74 36.7   6.023   6.099    89   16.8   2:58 (180,-20)  
Aug. 29   0 39.38   74 46.0   5.941   6.088    93   16.8   2:12 (180,-20)  

* C/2018 A6 ( Gibbs )

It brightened up to 13.2 mag from spring to autumn in 2019 (June 30, Thomas Lehmann). Now it is fading slowly. It has already faded down to 16.8 mag (July 31, ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays low for a long time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  23 19.29  -31  0.7   3.614   4.546   154   16.9   1:19 (180, 86)  
Aug. 29  23 10.39  -30 51.7   3.642   4.586   156   16.9   0:42 (180, 86)  

* 156P/Russell-LINEAR

Now it is 17.9 mag (July 31, ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala). It is expected to brighten up to 16 mag from October to November, and it will be observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   0 16.11  -37  7.3   0.747   1.661   141   17.3   2:15 (  0, 88)  
Aug. 29   0 15.41  -37 41.5   0.692   1.618   143   17.0   1:47 (  0, 87)  

* C/2019 O3 ( Palomar )

Now it is 16.9 mag (Aug. 11, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays at 17 mag from 2020 to 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  19  7.94   32  6.3   8.359   8.894   119   17.1  21:03 (180, 23)  
Aug. 29  19  4.88   31 57.1   8.402   8.889   115   17.1  20:32 (180, 23)  

* 249P/LINEAR

Now it is fainter than 16.5 mag (Aug. 18, Giuseppe Pappa). It was expected to brighten rapidly up to 9.5 mag in June. But actually, it was fainter than predicted. However, it became very bright as 7.5 mag in SOHO spacecraft images on June 19 (Karl Battams). It is observable in good condition after this while the comet will be fading.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   6 23.11   24 29.4   1.394   1.141    53   17.1   5:07 (225, 15)  
Aug. 29   6 34.22   23 51.0   1.432   1.240    58   17.8   4:59 (224, 16)  

* (6478) Gault

Now it is 17.5 mag (Aug. 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). Main-belt asteroid. But it showed a straight tail like a comet in 2019. In 2020, it brightens up to 16.5 mag and stays observable in good condition from September to October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   0 40.91   10 50.6   1.363   2.199   135   17.3   2:40 (180, 44)  
Aug. 29   0 38.76    9 22.7   1.323   2.214   142   17.2   2:10 (180, 45)  

* P/2020 M2 ( Lemmon )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 17.5 mag in 2012. Now it is 17.5 mag (Aug. 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable at 17 mag in good condition from summer to winter. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   4 24.88   28 13.9   2.272   2.323    80   17.3   5:07 (198, 24)  
Aug. 29   4 35.22   29 11.5   2.204   2.333    84   17.2   4:59 (196, 24)  

* 278P/McNaught

Now it is 17.1 mag (July 31, ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala). It became brighter than orignally predicted. It stays observable at 17 mag in good condition until autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  14 16.64  -18 45.8   2.228   2.094    69   17.4  18:58 (103, 50)  
Aug. 29  14 30.23  -19 54.4   2.289   2.090    65   17.4  19:03 ( 98, 47)  

* 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 16.9 mag (Apr. 22, J. Drummond). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time until the comet will fade out. It will be observable in good condition after this also in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   6 34.62  -10 27.1   7.938   7.432    56   17.4   5:07 (255, 37)  
Aug. 29   6 36.43  -10 38.3   7.913   7.485    61   17.4   4:59 (252, 41)  

* 254P/McNaught

Now it is 17.7 mag (Aug. 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 17.5 mag until November. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates very low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  23 27.66  -29 27.5   2.204   3.144   153   17.5   1:27 (180, 84)  
Aug. 29  23 24.45  -30 58.9   2.197   3.142   155   17.5   0:56 (180, 86)  

* 312P/NEAT

Now it is 18.7 mag (Aug. 17, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 17.5 mag in September. 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)  
Aug. 22  23 20.07  -13 52.4   1.016   2.002   161   17.5   1:19 (180, 69)  
Aug. 29  23 19.03  -16 12.9   0.999   1.995   166   17.5   0:50 (180, 71)  

* 28P/Neujmin 1

Now it is 17.4 mag (July 31, ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala). It will brighten up to 15.5 mag in early 2021. In 2020, it stays observable at 17 mag until November in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable soon. Then it stays unobservable until 2021 June.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  14 25.98  -28 51.5   2.820   2.737    74   17.7  18:58 ( 89, 57)  
Aug. 29  14 34.16  -29  5.1   2.851   2.681    70   17.6  19:03 ( 86, 52)  

* 215P/NEAT

Now it is 17.7 mag (Aug. 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It was observed at 17 mag in 2019. In 2020, it is observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from summer to autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   1  1.74   -5 27.8   2.951   3.744   135   17.7   3:00 (180, 60)  
Aug. 29   0 59.73   -5 46.9   2.895   3.750   142   17.7   2:31 (180, 61)  

* 173P/Mueller 5

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)  
Aug. 22   5 37.52   16  8.5   5.004   4.663    64   17.8   5:07 (221, 28)  
Aug. 29   5 42.48   16 13.0   4.895   4.651    70   17.7   4:59 (218, 30)  

* P/2019 LD2 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.3 mag (Aug. 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 18 mag from 2019 to 2020.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  20 58.08   -6 55.0   3.619   4.595   162   17.7  22:53 (180, 62)  
Aug. 29  20 55.07   -7 22.7   3.654   4.597   156   17.8  22:23 (180, 62)  

* C/2017 K5 ( PanSTARRS )

Sam Deen pointed out that it brightened in outburst twice in 2017 and 2019. It was observed at 20-21 mag in 2017. Then it became fainter than 22.9 mag in 2018 summer (Aug. 29, Sam Deen). However, it brightened up to 17.2 mag in 2019 spring (Mar. 25, B. T. Bolin). Then it faded again down to 19.9 mag (May 29, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). Now it is 18.1 mag (July 9, J. Jahn). It is predicted to stay observable at 18 mag for a long time from 2019 to 2021. But actually, it may be fainter than this ephemeris.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  18 29.36  -25  5.4   7.078   7.736   127   17.8  20:25 (180, 80)  
Aug. 29  18 27.45  -25 34.2   7.182   7.741   120   17.8  19:56 (180, 81)  

* C/2020 O2 ( Amaral )

Now it is 17.4 mag (July 26, J. Drummond). It will brighten up to 16.5 mag in 2021 summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a while. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until 2021 February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  14 36.66  -48 35.8   5.654   5.654    84   17.8  18:58 ( 52, 60)  
Aug. 29  14 41.84  -47 38.0   5.725   5.628    79   17.8  19:03 ( 55, 56)  

* C/2019 E3 ( ATLAS )

It stays observable at 17 mag for a long time until 2027. In the Southern Hemipshere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. It is not observable in the Northern Hemipsphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   9 49.31  -43 47.2  12.592  12.051    55   17.8   5:07 (312, 17)  
Aug. 29   9 51.63  -44  7.7  12.595  12.032    54   17.8   4:59 (311, 20)  

* P/2002 T5 ( LINEAR )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 16 mag from 2003 to 2004. Now it is 19.2 mag (Aug. 19, E. Kuusela). It will brighten up to 16 mag in winter between 2021 and 2022.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   3  7.53  -17 41.6   4.346   4.742   107   18.0   5:06 (180, 73)  
Aug. 29   3  9.31  -18 22.0   4.249   4.722   112   17.9   4:40 (180, 73)  

* 178P/Hug-Bell

Now it is 17.7 mag (Aug. 17, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable at 17.5-18 mag in good condition until winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   5 44.96   16 22.7   2.142   1.908    62   18.0   5:07 (222, 27)  
Aug. 29   6  0.24   16 37.5   2.094   1.919    65   17.9   4:59 (221, 27)  

---------------------------------------------------------------------

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