Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2021 Jan. 30: South)

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Updated on January 31, 2021
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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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* 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 passed the perihelion on Jan. 25. 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 will never be observable after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 30  21 49.80  -31 58.8   0.507   0.535    19   10.7  20:45 ( 50,  2)  
Feb.  6  21 17.48  -42 15.6   0.504   0.581    26   11.6  20:37 ( 37,  1)  

* C/2021 A2 ( NEOWISE )

New bright comet. Now it is 11.0 mag (Jan. 25, Chris Wyatt). It brightens up to 11 mag in early February. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition after this. 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. 30   8  1.32  -22 49.0   0.523   1.417   137   11.1  23:17 (180, 76)  
Feb.  6   7  5.76   -3  3.0   0.514   1.428   142   11.1  21:55 (180, 57)  

* 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. 30  21  3.89   -5 30.7   2.127   1.186    12   11.4  20:45 ( 64,-24)  
Feb.  6  21 25.27   -3 29.6   2.258   1.312    12   11.9  20:37 ( 66,-25)  

* 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. 30  20 59.37  -15 48.6   2.134   1.151     2   11.8  20:45 ( 55,-18)  
Feb.  6  20 55.49  -14 58.7   2.082   1.104     5   11.5   3:50 (301,-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. 30   2 25.23   -3 24.9   0.560   1.073    83   11.6  20:45 (118, 38)  
Feb.  6   3 13.63   -1 42.6   0.605   1.143    88   12.4  20:37 (126, 42)  

* C/2019 N1 ( ATLAS )

Now it is bright as 11.9 mag (Jan. 23, Marco Goiato). 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. 30  15  8.00  -65 55.5   1.925   1.872    72   11.7   3:40 (334, 50)  
Feb.  6  15 20.50  -71 57.9   1.913   1.911    74   11.8   3:50 (344, 49)  

* 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 11.3 mag still now (Jan. 22, Thomas Lehmann). 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. 30   5 31.52   48 44.5   1.084   1.872   129   12.2  20:53 (180,  6)  
Feb.  6   5 39.90   48 41.6   1.201   1.941   124   12.7  20:37 (180,  6)  

* 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. 30  19 24.00  -19 14.7   2.403   1.519    20   12.9   3:40 (295, -2)  
Feb.  6  19 47.69  -18 53.7   2.364   1.494    21   12.6   3:50 (293,  0)  

* 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). In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable soon. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable in late February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 30  23 27.66   -6  4.9   2.524   1.882    40   12.7  20:45 ( 86,  4)  
Feb.  6  23 43.59   -4 13.4   2.615   1.928    37   13.0  20:37 ( 87,  3)  

* 398P/2020 P2 ( Boattini )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 13 mag in 2009. Now it is bright as 12.5 mag (Jan. 23, Chris Wyatt). It stays observable in good condition while the comet will be fading after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 30   5 37.16   16 47.5   0.479   1.363   134   13.1  20:59 (180, 38)  
Feb.  6   5 53.52   19 57.5   0.523   1.388   131   13.4  20:48 (180, 35)  

* 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. 30   2 34.65   36  4.2   1.105   1.572    97   13.3  20:45 (147,  9)  
Feb.  6   2 56.32   37 31.8   1.189   1.613    95   13.8  20:37 (148,  8)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is 12.7 mag (Jan. 16, Thomas Lehmann). In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable in late February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 30   2 19.14   23 52.4   5.764   5.854    90   13.6  20:45 (137, 17)  
Feb.  6   2 21.66   23 52.2   5.877   5.855    83   13.6  20:37 (134, 14)  

* C/2019 L3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 13.8 mag (Jan. 15, Thomas Lehmann). 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. 30   0 42.81   53 55.9   4.636   4.692    87   13.9  20:45 (145,-17)  
Feb.  6   0 52.22   53 22.5   4.672   4.653    82   13.9  20:37 (143,-18)  

* C/2017 K2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 14.7 mag (Jan. 24, 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 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. 30  18  9.64   35 19.9   7.569   7.212    65   14.0   3:40 (239,-18)  
Feb.  6  18 13.25   35 34.6   7.477   7.157    67   13.9   3:50 (235,-12)  

* 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. 30  17  7.11  -52 25.4   4.297   3.824    55   14.0   3:40 (313, 37)  
Feb.  6  17 19.45  -53 55.4   4.204   3.803    59   13.9   3:50 (314, 41)  

* 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. 30  17 35.06  -21 13.5   3.464   2.867    45   14.2   3:40 (282, 20)  
Feb.  6  17 46.32  -21 38.5   3.393   2.865    50   14.2   3:50 (279, 26)  

* C/2020 N1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 15.2 mag (Jan. 16, Thomas Lehmann). 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. 30   1 30.47   27  6.0   1.229   1.456    81   14.8  20:45 (130,  7)  
Feb.  6   1 53.55   25 33.9   1.228   1.416    78   14.7  20:37 (130,  9)  

* 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. 30  17 20.70  -30 13.3   4.230   3.659    48   14.8   3:40 (289, 27)  
Feb.  6  17 26.50  -31  8.6   4.207   3.726    54   14.9   3:50 (287, 34)  

* 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. 30  17 50.52  -41  1.8   4.063   3.435    44   14.9   3:40 (303, 26)  
Feb.  6  17 51.33  -40 46.1   3.954   3.422    51   14.8   3:50 (300, 33)  

* 17P/Holmes

Now it is 15.8 mag (Nov. 5, Ken-ichi Kadota). It is not observable until June.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 30  22 10.29   -7 20.6   2.966   2.087    22   15.0  20:45 ( 74,-11)  
Feb.  6  22 24.40   -5 23.8   2.989   2.083    19   15.0  20:37 ( 74,-13)  

* 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 will appear in the morning sky soon. Then it will be observable in good condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 30  18 13.74    3 27.1   6.090   5.424    43   15.2   3:40 (267, -1)  
Feb.  6  18 16.34    3 10.8   6.002   5.403    48   15.2   3:50 (262,  6)  

* C/2019 T4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 14.2 mag and visible visually (Jan. 25, Chris Wyatt). 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. 30   8 13.49  -40 25.6   5.258   5.829   121   15.3  23:33 (  0, 85)  
Feb.  6   8 10.19  -40  5.2   5.210   5.793   122   15.2  23:02 (  0, 85)  

* 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. 30  21 31.96  -50 45.3   5.129   4.349    34   15.2  20:45 ( 35, 12)  
Feb.  6  21 42.88  -49 29.9   5.124   4.343    34   15.2  20:37 ( 35, 10)  

* C/2020 T2 ( Palomar )

Now it is 15.8 mag (Jan. 20, Katsumi Yoshimoto). 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. 30  13 43.67   27 24.9   2.258   2.786   112   15.6   3:40 (201, 24)  
Feb.  6  13 50.17   28  9.2   2.148   2.734   116   15.4   3:50 (194, 26)  

* 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. 30  12 40.37    4 28.0   1.019   1.754   122   15.6   3:40 (189, 50)  
Feb.  6  12 50.89    5 53.6   0.977   1.757   127   15.5   3:47 (180, 49)  

* 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. 30  21 58.62  -37  6.3   3.650   2.784    24   15.7  20:45 ( 48,  6)  
Feb.  6  22  6.58  -37 49.3   3.629   2.762    24   15.7  20:37 ( 46,  5)  

* 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. 30  20 52.10  -23 23.7   2.630   1.653     5   15.7  20:45 ( 49,-13)  
Feb.  6  21 13.42  -21 20.2   2.608   1.630     5   15.7   3:50 (308,-13)  

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is 14.9 mag (Jan. 22, Thomas Lehmann). 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. 30  16 37.53   62 18.1   4.997   5.160    93   15.7   3:40 (207,-20)  
Feb.  6  16 38.40   63  5.4   5.023   5.207    95   15.8   3:50 (203,-18)  

* 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. 30  22 12.64   -8 12.0   0.539   0.528    22   15.9  20:45 ( 74, -9)  
Feb.  6  23 52.11    3 21.6   0.449   0.722    42   16.8  20:37 ( 96,  1)  

* C/2021 A4 ( NEOWISE )

New comet. Now it is 17.7 mag (Jan. 20, Katsumi Yoshimoto). 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. 30  13 12.32   60  4.7   0.611   1.378   117   16.8   3:40 (187, -5)  
Feb.  6  10 32.02   69 33.0   0.481   1.321   124   16.1   1:40 (180,-14)  

* 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. 30  13 42.62   -2 52.2   3.470   3.845   105   16.2   3:40 (217, 52)  
Feb.  6  13 44.36   -2 54.9   3.354   3.829   111   16.1   3:50 (203, 56)  

* 277P/LINEAR

It brightened rapidly and became brighter than expected. Now it is 16.3 mag (Jan. 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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. 30   3 18.16   23 38.1   1.442   1.924   103   16.2  20:45 (149, 24)  
Feb.  6   3 30.90   22 58.7   1.518   1.934    98   16.3  20:37 (147, 24)  

* 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. 30   6  3.24  -63 13.7   2.555   2.783    92   16.5  21:23 (  0, 62)  
Feb.  6   5 57.95  -60 57.0   2.482   2.728    93   16.3  20:50 (  0, 64)  

* 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. 30  22 29.50   45 32.0   6.263   5.951    67   16.3  20:45 (126,-33)  
Feb.  6  22 33.79   44 47.9   6.333   5.949    62   16.4  20:37 (124,-35)  

* 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. 30  19  7.01   26  8.1   5.403   4.836    50   16.4   3:40 (254,-24)  
Feb.  6  19 10.31   27 22.8   5.385   4.857    53   16.4   3:50 (249,-18)  

* 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. 30   2  9.84   13 46.0   1.142   1.440    84   16.4  20:45 (128, 23)  
Feb.  6   2 29.76   16 13.2   1.184   1.448    83   16.4  20:37 (130, 21)  

* P/2020 U2 ( PanSTARRS )

Brightened very rapidly. Now it is 15.5-16.0 mag (Jan. 20, 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. 30   3 15.15   26 54.9   1.385   1.876   103   16.6  20:45 (150, 21)  
Feb.  6   3 28.39   27 11.3   1.458   1.888    99   16.5  20:37 (149, 20)  

* 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. 30  19 56.17   46  8.2   3.896   3.593    65   16.8   3:40 (236,-41)  
Feb.  6  20  0.45   47 13.9   3.854   3.557    65   16.7   3:50 (233,-35)  

* 7P/Pons-Winnecke

Now it is 19.0 mag, much fainter than predicted (Jan. 20, Katsumi Yoshimoto). 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. 30  15  6.86   10  8.1   1.560   1.832    89   17.0   3:40 (230, 30)  
Feb.  6  15 23.68    9 58.2   1.457   1.779    91   16.7   3:50 (225, 33)  

* 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 never be unobservable after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 30   0 55.81   25 41.6   1.338   1.424    73   16.7  20:45 (124,  2)  
Feb.  6   1 15.89   29  5.3   1.407   1.459    72   16.8  20:37 (127,  0)  

* 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. 30   3 33.73    6 43.9   1.012   1.557   102   16.8  20:45 (143, 41)  
Feb.  6   3 51.55    7  8.9   1.092   1.592    99   17.3  20:37 (143, 40)  

* 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. 30  19 29.16   32  2.9   9.374   8.822    53   16.8   3:40 (251,-31)  
Feb.  6  19 32.04   32 40.8   9.355   8.821    54   16.8   3:50 (246,-25)  

* 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. 30  13 14.02  -20 27.4   6.502   6.821   104   16.9   3:40 (225, 71)  
Feb.  6  13 14.63  -20 22.7   6.407   6.833   111   16.9   3:50 (199, 75)  

* C/2017 U7 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.3 mag (Oct. 17, ATLAS-MLO, Mauna Loa). It will be fading slowly.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 30  18 24.89  -20  2.0   8.052   7.260    34   16.9   3:40 (288, 10)  
Feb.  6  18 26.31  -19 43.6   7.996   7.281    41   16.9   3:50 (283, 17)  

* 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. 30  14 10.10  -16 50.4   5.391   5.547    93   17.1   3:40 (242, 59)  
Feb.  6  14  8.45  -17 24.5   5.222   5.499   101   17.0   3:50 (228, 66)  

* 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. 30  14 27.42  -26 26.8   5.038   5.083    87   17.1   3:40 (262, 61)  
Feb.  6  14 28.92  -25 58.0   4.900   5.062    93   17.0   3:50 (253, 68)  

* 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). It is already unobservable in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be unobservable in late February also in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 30  23 53.37    6 18.7   7.662   7.088    51   17.1  20:45 (100,  2)  
Feb.  6  23 56.12    6 50.5   7.792   7.131    45   17.2  20:37 ( 98, -1)  

* 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. 30  17 49.53   -9 43.0   5.336   4.683    44   17.2   3:40 (274, 11)  
Feb.  6  17 50.91  -10  7.6   5.253   4.692    50   17.2   3:50 (269, 19)  

* 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. 30   2 38.70  -16 15.0   4.343   4.327    82   17.3  20:45 (106, 49)  
Feb.  6   2 41.88  -15  8.2   4.417   4.311    77   17.3  20:37 (105, 45)  

* 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. 30   1 15.54  -18 44.9   5.477   5.101    62   17.3  20:45 ( 90, 33)  
Feb.  6   1 17.41  -17 25.6   5.613   5.144    57   17.4  20:37 ( 88, 29)  

* 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. 30  17 12.89  -36 47.9   5.692   5.131    51   17.4   3:40 (295, 32)  
Feb.  6  17 18.02  -36 23.3   5.587   5.114    56   17.3   3:50 (292, 37)  

* 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. 30   2 45.89  -47 41.5   6.332   6.174    76   17.4  20:45 ( 55, 58)  
Feb.  6   2 43.76  -47  2.3   6.344   6.125    72   17.4  20:37 ( 56, 55)  

* 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. 30  13 46.13    1 19.0   0.509   1.224   105   17.5   3:40 (215, 48)  
Feb.  6  13 51.08   -1 18.3   0.515   1.263   110   17.6   3:50 (205, 54)  

* 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. 30  18 28.97   37 45.1   7.830   7.461    64   17.6   3:40 (239,-23)  
Feb.  6  18 31.16   38 13.0   7.752   7.416    66   17.5   3:50 (235,-17)  

* 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. 30  14 45.96   -5 12.2   1.882   2.114    89   17.6   3:40 (238, 45)  
Feb.  6  14 51.51   -1 12.4   1.800   2.143    96   17.6   3:50 (226, 47)  

* 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. 30   8  2.57   23 26.5   1.700   2.671   167   17.6  23:23 (180, 32)  
Feb.  6   7 56.80   23 56.9   1.765   2.709   159   17.9  22:49 (180, 31)  

* 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. 30  11  9.07    9 48.5   4.138   4.980   145   17.7   2:33 (180, 45)  
Feb.  6  11  6.70   10  4.4   4.073   4.972   153   17.7   2:03 (180, 45)  

* 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. 30   5 20.21   19 35.9   3.725   4.428   130   17.7  20:45 (179, 35)  
Feb.  6   5 19.05   19 55.4   3.802   4.420   123   17.8  20:37 (173, 35)  

* 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. 30   7 13.46   26 21.5   1.549   2.481   156   17.7  22:34 (180, 29)  
Feb.  6   7  9.68   26 52.2   1.623   2.515   148   17.9  22:03 (180, 28)  

* 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. 30   9 15.12   -5 23.0   4.826   5.740   156   17.8   0:40 (180, 60)  
Feb.  6   9  8.31   -5 46.6   4.793   5.721   158   17.8   0:05 (180, 61)  

* C/2020 V2 ( ZTF )

Now it is 18.0 mag (Jan. 24, Thomas Lehmann). It is expected to brighten up to 10 mag in 2023. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition until 2023 autumn. In the Southern Hemipshere, it stays extremely low until mid July, then it becomes unobservable for a while. But it becomes observable in good condition after 2023 summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 30  13 18.26   29 55.0   7.554   8.067   118   18.0   3:40 (195, 24)  
Feb.  6  13 16.54   30 47.0   7.424   8.016   123   17.9   3:50 (185, 24)  

* 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. 30   9 39.10  -56 55.3  11.354  11.642   104   17.9   1:03 (  0, 68)  
Feb.  6   9 34.04  -57  9.8  11.297  11.625   107   17.9   0:30 (  0, 68)  

* C/2020 P3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 18.0 mag (Jan. 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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. 30   0 37.79   79 41.2   6.561   6.833   101   17.9  20:45 (169,-31)  
Feb.  6   0 47.70   79 25.6   6.604   6.830    99   17.9  20:37 (168,-31)  

* 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. 30  15 53.18    6 46.7   2.098   2.110    77   18.9   3:40 (242, 24)  
Feb.  6  15 53.92    7 21.0   2.100   2.217    83   19.1   3:50 (234, 30)  

* 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. 30  16 39.40  -25  5.2   4.035   3.615    58   20.4   3:40 (279, 33)  
Feb.  6  16 40.65  -25 30.1   4.007   3.700    65   20.5   3:50 (275, 41)  

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