Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2021 Jan. 23: North)

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Updated on January 23, 2021
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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/2020 S3 ( Erasmus )

It brightened up to 5.6 mag in early December (Dec. 9, Marco Goiato). In mid December, it was visible at about 3 mag in the SOHO spacecraft images (Dec. 18, Hirohisa Sato). Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky again in April. But then it will be fainter than 15 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  20 39.57   -7 41.8   1.996   1.058    12   10.7  18:47 ( 86, -8)  
Jan. 30  21  3.89   -5 30.7   2.127   1.186    12   11.4  18:53 ( 89, -8)  

* P/2021 A3 ( STEREO )

New periodic comet discovered in 2016. It had been predicted to return in 2024. But actually, it returned much earlier than predicted. Now it is bright as 11 mag (Jan. 16, Giuseppe Pappa). It passes the perihelion on Jan. 25. It will be unobservable soon also in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky in early February, then it stays observable in excellent condition after that. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is hardly observable after the perihelion passage.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  22  4.47  -20 38.9   0.558   0.529    24   10.8  18:47 ( 63,  1)  
Jan. 30  21 49.80  -31 58.8   0.507   0.535    19   10.7  18:53 ( 60,-15)  

* 141P/Machholz 2

It brightened very rapidly in early December. Now it is very bright as 10.6 mag (Jan. 13, Chris Wyatt). In addition, Michael Jager observed two more components of 15-16 mag. It stays observable for a long time in this apparition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   1 31.69   -5  3.5   0.537   1.007    76   10.9  18:47 ( 30, 46)  
Jan. 30   2 25.23   -3 24.9   0.560   1.073    83   11.6  18:53 ( 25, 49)  

* C/2021 A2 ( NEOWISE )

New bright comet. Now it is 11.4 mag (Jan. 13, Chris Wyatt). It brightens up to 11 mag in early February. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be getting higher rapidly after this, and then it stays observable in excellent condition. In the Southern Heimsphere, now it is observable in excellent condition. But it will be getting lower rapidly after February, and it will be unobservable in mid March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   9  0.66  -37 26.1   0.616   1.413   122   11.5   0:55 (  0, 17)  
Jan. 30   8  1.32  -22 49.0   0.523   1.417   137   11.1  23:17 (  0, 34)  

* C/2019 N1 ( ATLAS )

Now it is bright as 11.9 mag (Dec. 3, Ken-ichi Kadota). It stays 12 mag until March. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition after this. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will never be observable after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  14 57.60  -59 55.7   1.950   1.836    68   11.7   5:36 (351, -6)  
Jan. 30  15  8.00  -65 55.5   1.925   1.872    72   11.7   5:33 (354,-12)  

* C/2020 M3 ( ATLAS )

It brightened up to 7.3 mag in November (Nov. 7, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading. But it is bright as 11.0 mag still now (Jan. 13, Carlos Labordena). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays locating extremely low after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   5 24.48   48 34.1   0.973   1.804   134   11.7  21:14 (180, 76)  
Jan. 30   5 31.52   48 44.5   1.084   1.872   129   12.2  20:53 (180, 76)  

* C/2020 R4 ( ATLAS )

Brightened rapidly. Now it is very bright as 12.6 mag (Dec. 25, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will approach to Earth down to 0.46 a.u. in April, and it is expected to brighten up to 9 mag and to be observable in excellent condition. It becomes unobservable temporarily from January to February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  21  3.17  -16 36.0   2.161   1.207    10   12.0  18:47 ( 76, -8)  
Jan. 30  20 59.37  -15 48.6   2.134   1.151     2   11.8  18:53 ( 81,-15)  

* 88P/Howell

It brightened up to 8.2 mag in autumn (Oct. 13, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 12.3 mag (Jan. 13, Chris Wyatt). It stays observable in the evening low sky while it will be getting fainter gradually, until January in the Southern Hemisphere, or late February in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  23 11.15   -7 58.7   2.433   1.837    42   12.4  18:47 ( 63, 22)  
Jan. 30  23 27.66   -6  4.9   2.524   1.882    40   12.7  18:53 ( 67, 20)  

* 156P/Russell-LINEAR

Brightened rapidly. It brightened up to 9.7 mag in November (Nov. 15, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading. But it is bright as 11.7 mag still now (Jan. 13, Osamu Miyazaki). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it locates extremely low after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   2 13.40   34 17.8   1.025   1.533    99   12.8  18:47 ( 90, 81)  
Jan. 30   2 34.65   36  4.2   1.105   1.572    97   13.3  18:53 (100, 79)  

* 398P/2020 P2 ( Boattini )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 13 mag in 2009. Now it is bright as 12.2 mag (Jan. 13, Osamu Miyazaki). It stays 12 mag until January, and it is observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   5 22.03   13  6.5   0.444   1.342   136   12.8  21:12 (  0, 68)  
Jan. 30   5 37.16   16 47.5   0.479   1.363   134   13.1  20:59 (  0, 72)  

* 10P/Tempel 2

It will brighten up to 11.5 mag in spring. However, the condition is very bad in this apparition. It will appear in the morning low sky in March in the Southern Hemisphere, or in June in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  19  0.65  -19 24.0   2.445   1.547    18   13.2   5:36 (292, -2)  
Jan. 30  19 24.00  -19 14.7   2.403   1.519    20   12.9   5:33 (292, -2)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is 14.2 mag (Jan. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   2 17.14   23 55.4   5.650   5.852    96   13.5  18:47 ( 41, 76)  
Jan. 30   2 19.14   23 52.4   5.764   5.854    90   13.6  18:53 ( 60, 71)  

* C/2019 L3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 13.0 mag (Jan. 9, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 11 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)  
Jan. 23   0 34.00   54 33.6   4.601   4.731    91   13.9  18:47 (140, 58)  
Jan. 30   0 42.81   53 55.9   4.636   4.692    87   13.9  18:53 (136, 55)  

* 323P/SOHO

Five apparitions of this comet was confirmed in 1999, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. It approaches to Sun down to 0.04 a.u. on Jan. 17. It may be observed on the ground in December and February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  21  0.99  -15 34.9   0.746   0.284    10   13.9  18:47 ( 77, -7)  
Jan. 30  22 12.64   -8 12.0   0.539   0.528    22   15.9  18:53 ( 77,  5)  

* C/2017 K2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 14.3 mag (Jan. 10, 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 not observable now. 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. 23  18  5.81   35  9.5   7.655   7.267    63   14.0   5:36 (250, 38)  
Jan. 30  18  9.64   35 19.9   7.569   7.212    65   14.0   5:33 (251, 42)  

* C/2019 F1 ( ATLAS-Africano )

It will brighten up to 13 mag from spring to summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. 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)  
Jan. 23  16 55.10  -50 57.3   4.388   3.845    50   14.1   5:36 (332, -6)  
Jan. 30  17  7.11  -52 25.4   4.297   3.824    55   14.0   5:33 (335, -6)  

* 246P/NEAT

It stays 13-14 mag from 2020 to 2021. Appearing in the moring sky. It will be observable in good condition after this 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. 23  17 23.59  -20 45.9   3.531   2.869    41   14.2   5:36 (308, 14)  
Jan. 30  17 35.06  -21 13.5   3.464   2.867    45   14.2   5:33 (311, 16)  

* C/2017 T2 ( PanSTARRS )

It had been observed as 8-9 mag for a long time in 2020. Now it is fading. Appearing in the moring sky. It will be observable in good condition after this in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates extremely low after this in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  17 14.38  -29 17.8   4.246   3.593    43   14.7   5:36 (316,  9)  
Jan. 30  17 20.70  -30 13.3   4.230   3.659    48   14.8   5:33 (319, 11)  

* C/2020 N1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 15.3 mag (Jan. 8, Giuseppe Pappa). It stays 14-15 mag until spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays extremely low until spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   1  8.77   28 36.5   1.232   1.501    84   14.9  18:47 ( 82, 66)  
Jan. 30   1 30.47   27  6.0   1.229   1.456    81   14.8  18:53 ( 81, 63)  

* C/2020 J1 ( SONEAR )

Now it is 14.9 mag (Oct. 10, Chris Wyatt). It will brighten up to 13.5 mag in spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time, although it became unobservable temporarily in December. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  17 49.02  -41 19.1   4.161   3.450    38   15.0   5:36 (319, -5)  
Jan. 30  17 50.52  -41  1.8   4.063   3.435    44   14.9   5:33 (322, -1)  

* 17P/Holmes

Now it is 15.8 mag (Nov. 5, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be unobservable soon.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  21 56.17   -9 14.9   2.940   2.092    25   15.1  18:47 ( 74,  7)  
Jan. 30  22 10.29   -7 20.6   2.966   2.087    22   15.0  18:53 ( 78,  4)  

* C/2020 F5 ( MASTER )

Now it is 14.8 mag (Dec. 12, Taras Prystavski). It stays 14-15 mag until the end of 2021. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time, although it becomes extremely low temporarily from January to February. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until June.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  21 20.64  -52  2.0   5.129   4.355    34   15.2  18:47 ( 42,-24)  
Jan. 30  21 31.96  -50 45.3   5.129   4.349    34   15.2  18:53 ( 45,-26)  

* C/2018 U1 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Nov. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will stay at 14 mag for a long time from 2021 to 2022. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition while brightening gradually, although it became unobservable temporarily in December. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  18 10.87    3 45.8   6.168   5.445    39   15.3   5:36 (281, 21)  
Jan. 30  18 13.74    3 27.1   6.090   5.424    43   15.2   5:33 (285, 26)  

* C/2019 T4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 15.2 mag (Dec. 26, ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala). It is expected to brighten up to 13 mag in 2022. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable from autumn to winter, but it locating extremely low.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   8 16.87  -40 37.3   5.314   5.866   119   15.3   0:09 (  0, 14)  
Jan. 30   8 13.49  -40 25.6   5.258   5.829   121   15.3  23:33 (  0, 15)  

* C/2020 T2 ( Palomar )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Jan. 8, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is expected to brighten up to 13 mag from spring to summer, and it stays observable in good condition for a long time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  13 36.46   26 46.6   2.373   2.839   108   15.8   5:27 (  0, 82)  
Jan. 30  13 43.67   27 24.9   2.258   2.786   112   15.6   5:07 (  0, 82)  

* 409P/2020 V1 ( LONEOS-Hill )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 14-15 mag in 2006. Now it is 16.0 mag (Jan. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 15-16 mag from February to March, and will be observable in good condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  12 28.67    3 19.6   1.068   1.755   117   15.8   4:19 (  0, 58)  
Jan. 30  12 40.37    4 28.0   1.019   1.754   122   15.6   4:04 (  0, 59)  

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is 14.7 mag (Jan. 14, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time while it is getting fainter slowly. 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. 23  16 35.47   61 35.6   4.973   5.113    92   15.7   5:36 (212, 52)  
Jan. 30  16 37.53   62 18.1   4.997   5.160    93   15.7   5:33 (209, 54)  

* C/2019 T2 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 16.3 mag (Nov. 9, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 14.5 mag from spring to summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition for a long time, although it becomes extremely low temporarily from January to February. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  21 51.18  -36 25.8   3.658   2.808    26   15.7  18:47 ( 53,-11)  
Jan. 30  21 58.62  -37  6.3   3.650   2.784    24   15.7  18:53 ( 55,-15)  

* 28P/Neujmin 1

Now it is 17.4 mag (Sept. 16, Blue Mountains Observatory, Leura). It will brighten up to 15.5 mag in early 2021. It stays unobservable until June.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  20 30.54  -25 15.6   2.654   1.679     6   15.8  18:47 ( 72,-19)  
Jan. 30  20 52.10  -23 23.7   2.630   1.653     5   15.7  18:53 ( 75,-21)  

* 277P/LINEAR

It brightened rapidly and became brighter than expected. Now it is 15.7 mag (Jan. 11, Sandor Szabo). It is observable in good 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)  
Jan. 23   3  6.11   24 25.4   1.370   1.916   107   16.2  18:56 (  0, 79)  
Jan. 30   3 18.16   23 38.1   1.442   1.924   103   16.2  18:53 ( 14, 78)  

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

Now it is 16.8 mag (Jan. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 13 mag in 2022. In 2021, it is observable at 15-16 mag in good condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  13 40.15   -2 45.2   3.588   3.861    98   16.3   5:31 (  0, 52)  
Jan. 30  13 42.62   -2 52.2   3.470   3.845   105   16.2   5:06 (  0, 52)  

* 11P/Tempel-Swift-LINEAR

It brightened very rapidly up to 12.5 mag in early December (Dec. 7, Michael Jager). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 16.7 mag (Jan. 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable in excellent condition for a while.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   3 15.58    6 23.6   0.938   1.525   105   16.3  19:05 (  0, 61)  
Jan. 30   3 33.73    6 43.9   1.012   1.557   102   16.8  18:56 (  0, 62)  

* C/2019 K7 ( Smith )

Now it is 15.6 mag (Nov. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 15-16 mag for a long time until 2021. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time, although it becomes very low temporarily from December to January. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be observable in the extremely low sky only in next spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  19  3.51   24 59.7   5.413   4.815    48   16.3   5:36 (254, 22)  
Jan. 30  19  7.01   26  8.1   5.403   4.836    50   16.4   5:33 (256, 27)  

* C/2019 T3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 15.8 mag (Jan. 14, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 16 mag from 2020 to 2021. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  22 25.30   46 23.3   6.189   5.953    71   16.3  18:47 (125, 39)  
Jan. 30  22 29.50   45 32.0   6.263   5.951    67   16.3  18:53 (126, 34)  

* P/2020 T3 ( PanSTARRS )

Brightening very rapidly. Now it is 16.5 mag, much brighter than expected (Jan. 2, D. Buczynski). It stays 16.5 mag until February. 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)  
Jan. 23   1 50.92   11 12.4   1.103   1.437    86   16.4  18:47 ( 36, 62)  
Jan. 30   2  9.84   13 46.0   1.142   1.440    84   16.4  18:53 ( 46, 62)  

* C/2021 A7 ( NEOWISE )

New comet. Now it is 16.5 mag (Jan. 14, M. Mattiazzo). It brightens up to 15 mag from spring to summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition until June. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable in the low sky from March to May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   6 10.86  -65  7.1   2.631   2.838    91   16.6  21:57 (  0,-10)  
Jan. 30   6  3.24  -63 13.7   2.555   2.783    92   16.5  21:23 (  0, -8)  

* P/2020 U2 ( PanSTARRS )

Brightened very rapidly. Now it is 15.9 mag (Jan. 10, Michael Jager). It stays observable at 16 mag in good condition for a while. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   3  2.89   26 39.6   1.315   1.866   107   16.6  18:52 (  0, 82)  
Jan. 30   3 15.15   26 54.9   1.385   1.876   103   16.6  18:53 ( 24, 81)  

* 162P/Siding Spring

Now it is 16.1 mag (Jan. 9, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is bright as 14.7 mag visually (Jan. 11, Sandor Szabo). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in April. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable in January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   0 36.53   21 58.7   1.273   1.393    74   16.6  18:47 ( 77, 57)  
Jan. 30   0 55.81   25 41.6   1.338   1.424    73   16.7  18:53 ( 86, 56)  

* C/2019 O3 ( Palomar )

Now it is 16.6 mag (Nov. 9, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays at 16-17 mag from 2020 to 2021. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  19 26.19   31 28.9   9.386   8.823    52   16.8   5:36 (246, 21)  
Jan. 30  19 29.16   32  2.9   9.374   8.822    53   16.8   5:33 (247, 25)  

* C/2020 M5 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Jan. 17, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable at 15 mag for a long time from spring to early 2022. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until the end of 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  19 51.86   45 14.4   3.933   3.630    65   16.9   5:36 (230, 23)  
Jan. 30  19 56.17   46  8.2   3.896   3.593    65   16.8   5:33 (231, 27)  

* C/2021 A4 ( NEOWISE )

New comet. Now it is 18.1 mag (Jan. 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It approaches to Earth down to 0.4 a.u. in February, and it brightens up to 15-16 mag. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until mid February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  13 59.09   50 59.0   0.784   1.439   108   17.6   5:36 (188, 74)  
Jan. 30  13 12.32   60  4.7   0.611   1.378   117   16.8   4:38 (180, 65)  

* C/2019 C1 ( ATLAS )

It brightened up to 16.1 mag in last winter (Mar. 18, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). Now it is 17.6 mag (Jan. 17, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In 2021, 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)  
Jan. 23  13 12.95  -20 28.8   6.600   6.809    98   16.9   5:04 (  0, 34)  
Jan. 30  13 14.02  -20 27.4   6.502   6.821   104   16.9   4:38 (  0, 34)  

* 7P/Pons-Winnecke

Now it is 19.1 mag (Jan. 8, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 11 mag from May to August. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a while. But it becomes extremely low after July.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  14 50.49   10 21.9   1.668   1.885    86   17.3   5:36 (325, 61)  
Jan. 30  15  6.86   10  8.1   1.560   1.832    89   17.0   5:33 (329, 62)  

* C/2017 B3 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 13.8 mag in autumn in 2019 (Sept. 3, 2019, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading slowly. It has already faded down to 17.2 mag (Jan. 8, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  23 50.84    5 48.3   7.525   7.045    57   17.1  18:47 ( 67, 38)  
Jan. 30  23 53.37    6 18.7   7.662   7.088    51   17.1  18:53 ( 74, 32)  

* C/2020 H6 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Jan. 5, ATLAS-MLO, Mauna Loa). It stays observable at 16-17 mag from 2021 to 2022.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  14 25.29  -26 51.0   5.175   5.103    80   17.1   5:36 (350, 27)  
Jan. 30  14 27.42  -26 26.8   5.038   5.083    87   17.1   5:33 (355, 28)  

* C/2020 Y2 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Jan. 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is expected to brighten up to 13 mag in 2022. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable until June when it brightens up to 16 mag. But it will not be observable at the high light.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  14 11.04  -16 15.3   5.562   5.595    86   17.2   5:36 (352, 38)  
Jan. 30  14 10.10  -16 50.4   5.391   5.547    93   17.1   5:33 (  0, 38)  

* C/2017 Y2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.6 mag (Sept. 19, D. Buczynski). 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)  
Jan. 23  17 47.77   -9 17.4   5.407   4.675    38   17.2   5:36 (295, 18)  
Jan. 30  17 49.53   -9 43.0   5.336   4.683    44   17.2   5:33 (300, 22)  

* C/2018 F4 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened up to 13.5 mag in last winter (Dec. 6, 2019, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading slowly. Now it is 17.2 mag (Jan. 4, Catalina Sky Survey). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. Taras Prystavski found its fragmentation on Sept. 12.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   1 14.13  -20  6.6   5.338   5.058    68   17.2  18:47 ( 28, 30)  
Jan. 30   1 15.54  -18 44.9   5.477   5.101    62   17.3  18:53 ( 37, 27)  

* 402P/2020 Q3 ( LINEAR )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 16 mag from 2003 to 2004. Now it is 16.8 mag (Jan. 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 16 mag in next winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   2 36.16  -17 20.8   4.269   4.343    87   17.3  18:47 (  7, 38)  
Jan. 30   2 38.70  -16 15.0   4.343   4.327    82   17.3  18:53 ( 16, 37)  

* 405P/2020 U1 ( Lemmon )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 17 mag in 2013. Now it is 17.8 mag (Jan. 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fainter than 18 mag in late February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  13 38.07    4 15.1   0.501   1.190   101   17.3   5:29 (  0, 59)  
Jan. 30  13 46.13    1 19.0   0.509   1.224   105   17.5   5:09 (  0, 56)  

* C/2020 O2 ( Amaral )

Now it is 17.7 mag (Sept. 14, Slooh.com Chile Observatory, La Dehesa). It will brighten up to 16.5 mag in summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  17  7.31  -37 11.4   5.790   5.148    45   17.4   5:36 (322,  4)  
Jan. 30  17 12.89  -36 47.9   5.692   5.131    51   17.4   5:33 (325,  6)  

* C/2020 R7 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.9 mag (Dec. 28, J. L. Virlichie, P. Traverse). It is expected to brighten up to 12 mag in 2022. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it locates extremely low until mid February, then it becomes unobservable until 2022.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   2 48.85  -48 19.0   6.318   6.223    80   17.4  18:47 (  2,  7)  
Jan. 30   2 45.89  -47 41.5   6.332   6.174    76   17.4  18:53 (  8,  7)  

* 84P/Giclas

Now it is 16.9 mag (Jan. 8, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable in good condition. But it will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in February. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   8  9.11   22 50.4   1.650   2.632   175   17.4   0:01 (  0, 78)  
Jan. 30   8  2.57   23 26.5   1.700   2.671   167   17.6  23:23 (  0, 78)  

* A/2019 U5

Now it is 17.5 mag (Jan. 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). Although it is an asteroid, it is brightening rapidly. It may brighten up to 11 mag in 2023. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable now. It will appear in mid March, but it stays extremely low after that.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  18 26.56   37 22.2   7.902   7.506    62   17.6   5:36 (245, 35)  
Jan. 30  18 28.97   37 45.1   7.830   7.461    64   17.6   5:33 (247, 39)  

* 178P/Hug-Bell

Now it is 17.3 mag (Jan. 9, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable in good condition for a while, but it will be fading after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   7 18.47   25 43.8   1.486   2.448   164   17.6  23:06 (  0, 81)  
Jan. 30   7 13.46   26 21.5   1.549   2.481   156   17.7  22:34 (  0, 81)  

* C/2020 Y3 ( ATLAS )

New comet. Now it is 17.5 mag (Jan. 17, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 17.5 mag and observable in good condition until March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  14 39.32   -8 44.1   1.970   2.088    82   17.7   5:36 (341, 44)  
Jan. 30  14 45.96   -5 12.2   1.882   2.114    89   17.6   5:33 (346, 49)  

* 173P/Mueller 5

Now it is 17.0 mag (Jan. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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. 23   5 22.13   19 16.9   3.656   4.437   137   17.6  21:10 (  0, 74)  
Jan. 30   5 20.21   19 35.9   3.725   4.428   130   17.7  20:41 (  0, 75)  

* 99P/Kowal 1

Now it is 18.7 mag (Jan. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 17-18 mag for a long time from 2021 to 2023.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  11 10.91    9 35.1   4.215   4.988   137   17.8   3:02 (  0, 64)  
Jan. 30  11  9.07    9 48.5   4.138   4.980   145   17.7   2:33 (  0, 65)  

* A/2020 F7

Now it is 17.5 mag (Jan. 4, ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala). Although it is an asteroid, it is brightening rapidly. It stays 17-18 mag for a long time from 2021 to 2022. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable only until May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   9 21.73   -4 55.4   4.876   5.759   151   17.8   1:14 (  0, 50)  
Jan. 30   9 15.12   -5 23.0   4.826   5.740   156   17.8   0:40 (  0, 50)  

* C/2020 P3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.6 mag (Jan. 2, D. Buczynski). It stays 18 mag until 2022. It stays observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   0 29.58   80  0.5   6.522   6.837   104   17.9  18:47 (172, 43)  
Jan. 30   0 37.79   79 41.2   6.561   6.833   101   17.9  18:53 (171, 42)  

* C/2019 E3 ( ATLAS )

It stays 17-18 mag for a long time until 2026. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays sobservable in good condition for a long time. It is not observable in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23   9 43.93  -56 35.9  11.416  11.659   101   18.0   1:35 (  0, -2)  
Jan. 30   9 39.10  -56 55.3  11.354  11.642   104   17.9   1:03 (  0, -2)  

* C/2020 P1 ( NEOWISE )

It approached to Sun down to 0.34 a.u. on Oct. 20. Then the nucleus was disintegrated. After the perihelion passage, it was observed at 12.5 mag (Oct. 28, Michael Jager). It must have already disappeared.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  15 51.08    6 19.4   2.090   2.002    71   18.6   5:36 (307, 49)  
Jan. 30  15 53.18    6 46.7   2.098   2.110    77   18.9   5:33 (314, 53)  

* C/2020 F3 ( NEOWISE )

It approached to Sun down to 0.29 a.u. on July 3, and it brightened up to 0.6 mag (Alan Hale). It had been fainter than 15.0 mag in October (Oct. 12, Mitsunori Tsumura). Appearing in the morning sky. But it is fainter than 19.0 mag (Jan. 14, Mitsunori Tsumura). It must be already extremely faint.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 23  16 37.40  -24 39.4   4.054   3.529    51   20.3   5:36 (319, 18)  
Jan. 30  16 39.40  -25  5.2   4.035   3.615    58   20.4   5:33 (324, 20)  

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