Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2021 Feb. 13: South)

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Updated on February 17, 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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* C/2021 A2 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is bright as 10.5 mag (Feb. 6, Marco Goiato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition after this. In the Southern Heimsphere, it will be getting lower rapidly after this, and it will be unobservable in mid March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   6 21.41   14 43.0   0.595   1.446   130   11.0  20:45 (180, 39)  
Feb. 20   5 49.51   26 46.8   0.735   1.471   116   11.5  20:17 (172, 27)  

* 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)  
Feb. 13  20 51.35  -14  5.3   2.004   1.067    13   11.3   3:59 (293, -8)  
Feb. 20  20 46.76  -13  6.4   1.900   1.042    21   11.1   4:08 (286,  0)  

* C/2019 N1 ( ATLAS )

Now it is bright as 12.9 mag (Feb. 9, Chris Wyatt). 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)  
Feb. 13  15 37.93  -77 56.3   1.916   1.953    77   11.9   3:59 (351, 45)  
Feb. 20  16 13.03  -83 41.7   1.933   1.997    79   12.0   4:08 (356, 40)  

* 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)  
Feb. 13  20 11.63  -18 20.9   2.327   1.472    23   12.3   3:59 (291,  3)  
Feb. 20  20 35.69  -17 36.6   2.294   1.453    24   12.1   4:08 (288,  5)  

* 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)  
Feb. 13  21 44.28   -1 37.5   2.386   1.434    11   12.5   3:59 (292,-26)  
Feb. 20  22  1.35    0  6.7   2.509   1.553    11   12.9   4:08 (287,-23)  

* 156P/Russell-LINEAR

Brightened rapidly, and it brightened up to 9.7 mag in November (Nov. 15, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading. But it is bright as 12.0 mag still now (Feb. 9, Chris Wyatt). 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)  
Feb. 13   3 18.26   38 41.7   1.278   1.656    93   12.7  20:27 (149,  7)  
Feb. 20   3 40.32   39 35.5   1.371   1.701    90   13.0  20:17 (151,  7)  

* 414P/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. It brightened up to 11 mag in January (Jan. 16, Giuseppe Pappa). Now it is fading. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent 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)  
Feb. 13  20 37.83  -48 34.2   0.534   0.654    37   13.0   3:59 (319, 16)  
Feb. 20  20  3.03  -51 23.8   0.576   0.742    48   14.6   4:08 (315, 27)  

* C/2020 M3 ( ATLAS )

It brightened up to 7.3 mag in November (Nov. 7, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 14.0 mag (Feb. 7, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Feb. 13   5 49.38   48 28.6   1.324   2.011   120   13.1  20:27 (178,  7)  
Feb. 20   5 59.73   48  8.1   1.452   2.082   115   13.6  20:17 (177,  7)  

* C/2019 L3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 12.4 mag (Feb. 8, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 10 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 November.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   1  2.19   52 53.4   4.709   4.615    78   13.2  20:27 (142,-19)  
Feb. 20   1 12.66   52 28.4   4.747   4.577    74   13.1  20:17 (141,-20)  

* 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 13.0 mag (Feb. 14, Sandor Szabo). In the Southern Hemisphere, it is already unobservable. 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)  
Feb. 13  23 59.01   -2 24.8   2.705   1.974    34   13.3  20:27 ( 88,  1)  
Feb. 20   0 13.97   -0 39.3   2.794   2.021    31   13.5  20:17 ( 89, -1)  

* 141P/Machholz 2

It brightened very rapidly in early December, and it brightened up to 10.0 mag in January (Jan. 7, Michael Jager). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 13.3 mag (Feb. 9, Chris Wyatt). Two more components, H and I, are also observed. It stays observable for a long time in this apparition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   3 55.81   -0  5.8   0.669   1.215    92   13.3  20:27 (134, 45)  
Feb. 20   4 32.02    1 20.2   0.747   1.289    94   14.2  20:17 (140, 46)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is 13.9 mag (Feb. 9, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Feb. 13   2 24.66   23 54.8   5.989   5.857    77   13.6  20:27 (131, 12)  
Feb. 20   2 28.12   23 59.9   6.099   5.859    71   13.7  20:17 (129, 10)  

* C/2021 A4 ( NEOWISE )

Brightening very rapidly. Now it is very bright as 12.5 mag (Feb. 8, Michael Jager). Now it is approaching to Earth down to 0.4 a.u. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition. It will be observable in good condition after this also in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   6 27.32   58 30.2   0.435   1.271   121   13.8  20:44 (180, -2)  
Feb. 20   5  5.11   35 48.5   0.496   1.228   106   13.7  20:17 (163, 18)  

* 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)  
Feb. 13  17 32.14  -55 27.5   4.110   3.783    64   13.8   3:59 (316, 45)  
Feb. 20  17 45.19  -57  1.5   4.015   3.764    68   13.8   4:08 (319, 48)  

* C/2017 K2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 14.2 mag (Feb. 8, 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)  
Feb. 13  18 16.59   35 53.6   7.381   7.102    69   13.9   3:59 (231, -7)  
Feb. 20  18 19.59   36 16.5   7.281   7.046    72   13.8   4:08 (226, -2)  

* 398P/2020 P2 ( Boattini )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 13 mag in 2009. It brightened up to 11.7 mag in January (Jan. 10, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 13.7 mag (Feb. 7, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Feb. 13   6 10.80   22 33.7   0.573   1.416   128   13.8  20:38 (180, 32)  
Feb. 20   6 28.71   24 36.3   0.631   1.447   125   14.2  20:28 (180, 30)  

* 246P/NEAT

Now it is 15.5 mag (Jan. 19, Slooh.com Chile Observatory, La Dehesa). It stays 13-14 mag from 2020 to 2021. 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)  
Feb. 13  17 57.32  -22  1.2   3.317   2.864    54   14.1   3:59 (276, 31)  
Feb. 20  18  8.02  -22 22.0   3.237   2.864    59   14.1   4:08 (273, 37)  

* C/2020 T2 ( Palomar )

Now it is 14.2 mag (Feb. 9, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is expected to brighten up to 12.5 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)  
Feb. 13  13 55.82   28 58.8   2.045   2.684   120   14.6   3:59 (186, 26)  
Feb. 20  14  0.49   29 52.2   1.949   2.634   124   14.4   4:01 (180, 25)  

* C/2020 J1 ( SONEAR )

Now it is 14.4 mag (Jan. 20, iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring). It will brighten up to 13.5 mag in spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be getting higher and becoming observable slowly.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  17 51.33  -40 32.0   3.834   3.409    57   14.7   3:59 (297, 39)  
Feb. 20  17 50.34  -40 18.9   3.706   3.398    64   14.7   4:08 (294, 46)  

* C/2019 T4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 14.2 mag and visible visually (Jan. 25, Chris Wyatt). It is expected to brighten up to 11.5 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)  
Feb. 13   8  7.11  -39 36.1   5.170   5.756   122   14.8  22:32 (  0, 85)  
Feb. 20   8  4.38  -38 59.0   5.139   5.720   121   14.7  22:02 (  0, 86)  

* C/2017 T2 ( PanSTARRS )

It had been observed as 8-9 mag for a long time in 2020. Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 16.6 mag (Jan. 23, Slooh.com Chile Observatory, La Dehesa). 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)  
Feb. 13  17 31.71  -32  4.2   4.177   3.792    60   14.9   3:59 (285, 40)  
Feb. 20  17 36.28  -33  0.3   4.141   3.858    66   15.0   4:08 (283, 47)  

* 17P/Holmes

Now it is 15.8 mag (Jan. 16, Slooh.com Canary Islands Observatory). It is not observable until June.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  22 38.49   -3 24.6   3.010   2.081    16   15.0  20:27 ( 75,-15)  
Feb. 20  22 52.56   -1 23.6   3.028   2.081    13   15.0  20:17 ( 76,-17)  

* 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. 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)  
Feb. 13  18 18.63    2 56.7   5.904   5.383    53   15.1   3:59 (257, 13)  
Feb. 20  18 20.55    2 44.3   5.798   5.364    59   15.1   4:08 (252, 20)  

* P/2020 U2 ( PanSTARRS )

Brightened very rapidly. Now it is 15.0 mag (Feb. 4, Michael Jager). It stays observable at 15-16 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)  
Feb. 13   3 42.46   27 27.6   1.535   1.901    95   15.2  20:27 (148, 19)  
Feb. 20   3 57.23   27 42.9   1.614   1.917    91   15.1  20:17 (147, 19)  

* C/2020 F5 ( MASTER )

Now it is 15.8 mag (Jan. 14, Slooh.com Chile Observatory, La Dehesa). 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)  
Feb. 13  21 53.40  -48 15.9   5.112   4.338    34   15.2  20:27 ( 35,  8)  
Feb. 20  22  3.51  -47  3.7   5.094   4.334    36   15.2   4:08 (323,  9)  

* C/2020 N1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.0 mag (Feb. 8, Michael Jager). It stays 15-16 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)  
Feb. 13   2 17.80   23 58.5   1.231   1.382    76   15.3  20:27 (130, 11)  
Feb. 20   2 42.97   22 18.7   1.239   1.355    73   15.4  20:17 (130, 13)  

* 409P/2020 V1 ( LONEOS-Hill )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 14-15 mag in 2006. Now it is 15.5 mag (Feb. 8, 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)  
Feb. 13  13  0.01    7 35.0   0.942   1.763   132   15.5   3:28 (180, 48)  
Feb. 20  13  7.55    9 29.4   0.914   1.772   137   15.4   3:08 (180, 46)  

* C/2019 K7 ( Smith )

Now it is 15.5 mag (Feb. 9, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 15-16 mag until spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. 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)  
Feb. 13  19 13.35   28 43.6   5.362   4.879    56   15.5   3:59 (244,-13)  
Feb. 20  19 16.06   30 10.5   5.333   4.902    59   15.5   4:08 (238, -7)  

* 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)  
Feb. 13  22 15.07  -38 35.7   3.596   2.742    25   15.6  20:27 ( 45,  4)  
Feb. 20  22 24.08  -39 26.4   3.551   2.724    28   15.5  20:17 ( 43,  3)  

* 28P/Neujmin 1

Now it is not observable. It will be observable in June. But it will fade down to 17 mag at that time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  21 34.44  -19  6.2   2.589   1.611     6   15.7   3:59 (304,-12)  
Feb. 20  21 55.11  -16 43.0   2.572   1.596     7   15.7   4:08 (299,-11)  

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is 14.9 mag (Feb. 9, 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)  
Feb. 13  16 37.94   63 56.4   5.050   5.254    96   15.8   3:59 (199,-15)  
Feb. 20  16 35.96   64 49.8   5.080   5.302    97   15.8   4:08 (195,-14)  

* C/2020 K5 ( PanSTARRS )

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 locates extremely low now, and it will be unobservable soon. Then it is not observable until September when it fades down to 15 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  19  6.52  -25 56.7   2.825   2.155    39   16.1   3:59 (289, 19)  
Feb. 20  19 21.57  -27 30.1   2.697   2.093    43   15.9   4:08 (288, 24)  

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

Now it is 15.5 mag (Feb. 9, 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)  
Feb. 13  13 45.30   -2 53.3   3.243   3.813   118   16.0   3:59 (187, 58)  
Feb. 20  13 45.40   -2 47.4   3.138   3.798   125   15.9   3:46 (180, 58)  

* C/2021 A7 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 16.5 mag (Feb. 5, Thomas Lehmann). 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)  
Feb. 13   5 55.03  -58 18.1   2.412   2.674    94   16.2  20:27 (  3, 67)  
Feb. 20   5 54.40  -55 18.3   2.348   2.621    94   16.0  20:17 ( 10, 69)  

* 7P/Pons-Winnecke

Now it is 18.1 mag, much fainter than predicted (Feb. 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)  
Feb. 13  15 40.97    9 51.8   1.357   1.726    93   16.4   3:59 (221, 36)  
Feb. 20  15 58.72    9 48.3   1.262   1.675    95   16.1   4:08 (216, 38)  

* C/2019 T3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 16.5 mag (Feb. 9, 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)  
Feb. 13  22 38.13   44 10.9   6.398   5.948    58   16.4  20:27 (122,-38)  
Feb. 20  22 42.46   43 40.4   6.457   5.947    55   16.4  20:17 (121,-40)  

* P/2020 T3 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened very rapidly up to 16.5 mag in January (Jan. 2, D. Buczynski). However, it is fading very rapidly in February. It has already faded down to 18.3 mag (Feb. 11, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Feb. 13   2 50.59   18 31.9   1.230   1.460    81   16.4  20:27 (132, 20)  
Feb. 20   3 12.22   20 39.7   1.281   1.475    79   16.5  20:17 (134, 19)  

* 277P/LINEAR

It brightened rapidly and became brighter than expected. Now it is 16.7 mag (Feb. 7, 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)  
Feb. 13   3 44.23   22 25.6   1.597   1.945    94   16.4  20:27 (145, 24)  
Feb. 20   3 58.04   21 57.4   1.680   1.959    90   16.5  20:17 (144, 24)  

* C/2020 M5 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 16.4 mag (Jan. 17, D. Buczynski). 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)  
Feb. 13  20  4.61   48 31.8   3.807   3.522    65   16.6   3:59 (230,-31)  
Feb. 20  20  8.55   50  2.0   3.756   3.488    66   16.5   4:08 (226,-26)  

* 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)  
Feb. 13  19 34.78   33 22.4   9.330   8.820    56   16.8   3:59 (242,-19)  
Feb. 20  19 37.36   34  7.6   9.298   8.820    58   16.8   4:08 (237,-13)  

* C/2017 Y2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.3 mag (Feb. 9, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 16.5 mag from spring in 2020 to summer in 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  17 51.83  -10 31.4   5.161   4.701    57   16.8   3:59 (264, 26)  
Feb. 20  17 52.22  -10 54.7   5.061   4.711    63   16.8   4:08 (259, 34)  

* C/2020 Y2 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.0 mag (Feb. 6, 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)  
Feb. 13  14  6.03  -17 57.2   5.056   5.452   108   16.9   3:59 (207, 71)  
Feb. 20  14  2.79  -18 28.4   4.895   5.404   116   16.8   4:04 (180, 74)  

* 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 (Feb. 9, 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)  
Feb. 13  13 14.78  -20 14.3   6.318   6.846   118   16.9   3:43 (180, 75)  
Feb. 20  13 14.49  -20  2.3   6.235   6.859   125   16.8   3:15 (180, 75)  

* C/2020 H6 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Feb. 6, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Feb. 13  14 29.76  -25 23.9   4.763   5.042   100   16.9   3:59 (237, 74)  
Feb. 20  14 29.89  -24 43.9   4.629   5.023   107   16.8   4:08 (207, 79)  

* 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)  
Feb. 13  18 27.46  -19 24.8   7.929   7.303    47   16.9   3:59 (278, 24)  
Feb. 20  18 28.27  -19  5.6   7.852   7.325    54   17.0   4:08 (273, 31)  

* 162P/Siding Spring

Now it is 16.0 mag (Feb. 7, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Feb. 13   1 36.80   32  9.9   1.479   1.496    71   17.0  20:27 (130, -1)  
Feb. 20   1 58.55   34 55.3   1.554   1.535    70   17.1  20:17 (132, -3)  

* 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)  
Feb. 13  17 22.67  -35 57.7   5.474   5.098    62   17.3   3:59 (289, 43)  
Feb. 20  17 26.77  -35 30.8   5.357   5.082    68   17.2   4:08 (286, 50)  

* 402P/2020 Q3 ( LINEAR )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 16 mag from 2003 to 2004. Now it is 17.6 mag (Feb. 7, 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)  
Feb. 13   2 45.65  -14  0.8   4.490   4.296    72   17.3  20:27 (103, 41)  
Feb. 20   2 49.99  -12 53.5   4.561   4.281    67   17.2  20:17 (102, 38)  

* C/2020 R7 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 18.2 mag (Feb. 2, Thomas Lehmann). 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)  
Feb. 13   2 42.43  -46 22.6   6.352   6.075    69   17.4  20:27 ( 58, 51)  
Feb. 20   2 41.86  -45 43.1   6.356   6.026    66   17.3  20:17 ( 58, 48)  

* A/2019 U5

Now it is 17.3 mag (Feb. 8, 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)  
Feb. 13  18 33.05   38 45.8   7.668   7.371    68   17.4   3:59 (230,-11)  
Feb. 20  18 34.60   39 23.2   7.580   7.327    71   17.4   4:08 (226, -7)  

* C/2020 Y3 ( ATLAS )

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)  
Feb. 13  14 55.84    3 16.3   1.728   2.174   102   17.6   3:59 (212, 47)  
Feb. 20  14 58.78    8 12.3   1.669   2.208   109   17.6   4:08 (198, 45)  

* 99P/Kowal 1

Now it is 18.0 mag (Feb. 6, 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)  
Feb. 13  11  3.88   10 22.2   4.021   4.964   160   17.6   1:33 (180, 45)  
Feb. 20  11  0.71   10 41.0   3.983   4.956   168   17.6   1:02 (180, 44)  

* A/2020 F7

Now it is 17.0 mag (Feb. 7, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Feb. 13   9  1.46   -6  6.2   4.778   5.703   157   17.7  23:26 (180, 61)  
Feb. 20   8 54.71   -6 22.0   4.781   5.685   153   17.7  22:52 (180, 61)  

* 413P/2020 W4 ( Larson )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 16 mag in 2014. Now it is 18.6 mag (Feb. 8, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 17 mag in spring, and it will be observable in good condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  13  1.80   12 21.2   1.661   2.438   132   17.9   3:30 (180, 43)  
Feb. 20  13  1.55   12 30.2   1.581   2.415   138   17.7   3:03 (180, 43)  

* 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 17.5 mag (Feb. 6, 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)  
Feb. 13   4  9.05    7 36.5   1.175   1.629    97   17.8  20:27 (143, 40)  
Feb. 20   4 26.27    8  4.7   1.264   1.667    94   18.3  20:17 (143, 39)  

* C/2020 V2 ( ZTF )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Feb. 8, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Feb. 13  13 14.27   31 40.6   7.305   7.965   129   17.8   3:43 (180, 23)  
Feb. 20  13 11.46   32 34.8   7.197   7.913   133   17.8   3:12 (180, 23)  

* 405P/2020 U1 ( Lemmon )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 17 mag in 2013. Now it is 18.0 mag (Feb. 9, 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)  
Feb. 13  13 52.82   -3 37.0   0.522   1.306   116   17.8   3:59 (190, 58)  
Feb. 20  13 51.37   -5 37.5   0.530   1.354   123   17.9   3:52 (180, 61)  

* 173P/Mueller 5

Now it is 16.8 mag (Feb. 8, 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)  
Feb. 13   5 18.71   20 15.2   3.887   4.411   116   17.9  20:27 (168, 34)  
Feb. 20   5 19.20   20 35.3   3.978   4.403   109   18.0  20:17 (163, 33)  

* 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)  
Feb. 13   9 28.83  -57 19.3  11.247  11.608   109   17.9  23:53 (  0, 68)  
Feb. 20   9 23.58  -57 23.7  11.203  11.591   110   17.9  23:20 (  0, 68)  

* 323P/SOHO

Five apparitions of this comet was confirmed in 1999, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. It approached 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)  
Feb. 13   1 39.89   14 44.7   0.478   0.892    64   17.9  20:27 (118, 11)  
Feb. 20   3  3.52   21  0.3   0.595   1.044    78   19.1  20:17 (134, 18)  

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