Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2019 Jan. 12: North)

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 Updated on January 12, 2019
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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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* 46P/Wirtanen

It approached to Earth down to 0.08 a.u. in mid December, and it brightened up to 3.4 mag (Dec. 14, Seiichi Yoshida). it looked so large as 3 times of Moon. Now it is fading. But it is very bright as 5.4 mag still now (Jan. 7, Juan Jose Gonzalez). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition. 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. 12   8 34.20   59 23.6   0.182   1.130   140    5.2   1:10 (180, 66)  
Jan. 19   9  2.42   58 15.8   0.225   1.166   140    6.0   1:11 (180, 67)

* C/2018 Y1 ( Iwamoto )

Bright new comet. Now it is very bright as 10.2 mag (Jan. 7, Chris Wyatt). It will approach to Earth down to 0.3 a.u. in February. Then it will brighten up to 7 mag and will be observable in excellent condition. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  14  7.12  -22 43.2   1.217   1.338    74   10.2   5:38 (343, 30)  
Jan. 19  13 56.34  -21 10.8   0.977   1.311    83    9.6   5:38 (352, 33)

* 64P/Swift-Gehrels

Now it is very bright as 9.0 mag (Jan. 6, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It stays low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   3 23.84   28 35.2   0.844   1.616   124   10.2  19:59 (  0, 84)  
Jan. 19   3 40.26   27 53.2   0.924   1.658   120   10.6  19:48 (  0, 83)

* 38P/Stephan-Oterma

Now it is bright as 9.9 mag (Jan. 6, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It stays 9-10 mag until January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time until it fades out. It locates low in the Southern Hemispehre. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   8 34.66   44  6.2   0.830   1.768   154   10.3   1:12 (180, 81)  
Jan. 19   8 32.71   45 38.6   0.870   1.807   154   10.6   0:43 (180, 79)

* C/2018 L2 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 10.4 mag (Jan. 3, Ken Harikae). It stays at 11 mag until February. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time until it fades out. But it stays extremely low. It will never be observable again in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  19 29.40   22 36.4   2.357   1.791    44   11.2   5:38 (248,  8)  
Jan. 19  19 52.14   25  4.1   2.367   1.820    45   11.4   5:38 (246, 10)

* C/2016 M1 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened up to 7.7 mag in June (June 19, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. But it is still bright as 10.6 mag (Dec. 26, Chris Wyatt). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time until the comet will fade out. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable for a long time until autumn when the comet fades out down to 16 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   0 41.62  -83 57.6   3.053   2.819    67   11.7  18:37 (  2,-29)  
Jan. 19   1 43.21  -81 11.3   3.067   2.866    69   11.8  18:43 (  2,-26)

* C/2016 N6 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 11.9 mag (Dec. 31, Seiichi Yoshida). It stays 12 mag for a long time until spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   6 55.74  -20 28.1   2.452   3.240   136   12.6  23:28 (  0, 34)  
Jan. 19   6 40.53  -21 22.1   2.523   3.280   133   12.7  22:45 (  0, 34)

* 78P/Gehrels 2

Now it is 13.7 mag (Jan. 2, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays at 12-13 mag for a long time until autumn. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  23 12.92   -3  6.0   2.491   2.119    56   12.8  18:37 ( 55, 35)  
Jan. 19  23 26.25   -1 58.9   2.539   2.102    53   12.7  18:43 ( 61, 32)

* C/2016 R2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 15.3 mag (Jan. 3, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading slowly after this. It is observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. 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. 12  15 37.09   40 58.9   3.626   3.640    83   13.0   5:38 (247, 59)  
Jan. 19  15 44.27   41 21.4   3.626   3.688    85   13.1   5:38 (246, 63)

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is 13.9 mag (Dec. 28, Chris Wyatt). It will brighten up to 10-11 mag in autumn. It will be unobservable temporarily in March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   1  2.35  -31 10.5   4.420   4.237    72   13.5  18:37 ( 14, 23)  
Jan. 19   1  2.45  -29 17.0   4.469   4.195    67   13.5  18:43 ( 22, 22)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is bright as 12.9 mag (Jan. 2, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  23  5.04    0 35.5   6.250   5.767    56   13.7  18:37 ( 60, 36)  
Jan. 19  23  9.21    0 59.9   6.341   5.767    50   13.7  18:43 ( 67, 31)

* 60P/Tsuchinshan 2

Now it is 13.6 mag (Jan. 6, Seiichi Yoshida). It is observable at 14 mag in excellent condition until March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  11 33.33   -2 38.7   0.963   1.653   116   13.8   4:10 (  0, 52)  
Jan. 19  11 39.65   -3 51.2   0.928   1.667   121   13.8   3:48 (  0, 51)

* 123P/West-Hartley

Now it is 14.8 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  11 34.53   28 33.5   1.411   2.135   125   14.2   4:11 (  0, 83)  
Jan. 19  11 38.27   29  7.3   1.356   2.131   130   14.1   3:47 (  0, 84)

* C/2017 M4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 14.0 mag (Nov. 14, Kunihiro Shima). It stays 13-14 mag until summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is appearing in the morning sky. It will appear in late January also in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  17 16.42  -12 17.6   4.025   3.252    33   14.1   5:38 (296, 14)  
Jan. 19  17 20.27  -13 28.7   3.955   3.252    39   14.1   5:38 (301, 17)

* C/2015 O1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 14.4 mag (Dec. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading slowly after this. It is observable in excellent condition until spring in the Northern Hemispehre. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be hardly observable after this. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  11 21.66   41  6.2   4.020   4.693   128   14.4   3:59 (180, 84)  
Jan. 19  11 11.01   42  0.7   3.983   4.729   134   14.4   3:20 (180, 83)

* (944) Hidalgo

Now it is 14.3 mag (Nov. 30, Seiichi Yoshida). It stays at 14 mag until winter. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. 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. 12  13 28.45   79 56.4   1.522   2.094   111   14.5   5:38 (182, 45)  
Jan. 19  13 14.85   80 38.9   1.544   2.120   112   14.5   5:23 (180, 44)

* C/2018 A6 ( Gibbs )

Now it is bright as 15.1 mag (Nov. 21, Artyom Novichonok). It stays 14 mag for a long time in 2019. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable in excellent condition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable in low sky until early January, but it will be unobservable after that. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  11 20.85  -45 17.5   3.186   3.418    95   15.0   3:57 (  0, 10)  
Jan. 19  11 14.05  -47 56.9   3.091   3.390    99   14.8   3:23 (  0,  7)

* C/2017 B3 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 14.5 mag (Aug. 16, P. Camilleri, H. Williams). It stays 15 mag from 2018 to 2019, and it will be observable for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  20 23.13  -63 50.8   4.588   3.926    42   14.9  18:37 ( 30,-29)  
Jan. 19  20 43.80  -62 44.5   4.587   3.923    42   14.9  18:43 ( 32,-30)

* 21P/Giacobini-Zinner

It brightened up to 6.8 mag in September (Sept. 17, Seiichi Yoshida). Now it is fading rapidly. It has already faded down to 13.8 mag (Dec. 21, Thomas Lehmann). It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates low after this in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   6 13.18  -34 15.8   1.185   1.890   120   15.2  22:46 (  0, 21)  
Jan. 19   6  8.54  -32  0.1   1.257   1.954   120   15.6  22:14 (  0, 23)

* C/2018 A3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 15.0 mag (Jan. 3, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 15 mag until March. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable at all in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   8 57.16   75  7.5   2.607   3.277   125   15.2   1:38 (180, 50)  
Jan. 19   7 43.45   76 33.5   2.625   3.277   123   15.3  23:44 (180, 48)

* 240P/NEAT

It brightened very rapidly up to 13.8 mag in August in 2017 (Aug. 22, Kunihiro Shima). Although it was faint as 16-17 mag in November, it brightened up to 14.7 mag in December (Dec. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition after this. It stays extremely low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  11 26.42   36 15.8   2.074   2.784   127   15.4   4:03 (180, 89)  
Jan. 19  11 25.83   37 33.0   2.050   2.814   132   15.5   3:35 (180, 88)

* C/2017 T2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 15.4 mag (Jan. 2, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is expected to brighten up to 7-8 mag in 2020. It will be unobservable temporarily in April. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   3  2.56   -3 20.0   5.156   5.564   109   15.5  19:36 (  0, 52)  
Jan. 19   3  0.68   -2 41.2   5.201   5.503   102   15.5  19:07 (  0, 52)

* C/2017 T3 ( ATLAS )

It brightened up to 8.7 mag in July (July 18, Marco Goiato). Then it faded down to 12.3 mag in August (Aug. 29, Chris Wyatt). It stays observable in good condition after this while the comet will be fading. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  16 11.84  -19 26.7   3.450   2.865    46   16.3   5:38 (313, 19)  
Jan. 19  16 16.71  -18 41.0   3.439   2.950    52   16.4   5:38 (316, 23)

* 243P/NEAT

Although it was faint as 18 mag until Dec. 10, it suddenly brightened in outburst up to 15.4 mag on Dec. 12 (Dec. 12, A. Heinze). It has already faded down to 17.5 mag (Dec. 31, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable in good condition for a while. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   1 56.39    6 21.3   2.289   2.614    98   16.3  18:37 (  3, 61)  
Jan. 19   2  2.42    7 21.1   2.393   2.630    92   16.5  18:43 ( 18, 61)

* C/2018 N1 ( NEOWISE )

It approached to Earth down to 0.3 a.u., and brightened up to 8.3 mag in July (July 22, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 19.1 mag (Jan. 3, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  15 27.01    0  9.2   2.888   2.602    63   16.5   5:38 (308, 41)  
Jan. 19  15 24.71    1 21.7   2.827   2.676    71   16.5   5:38 (315, 47)

* 171P/Spahr

Now it is 16.5 mag (Jan. 3, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 16.5 mag in good condition in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   4 20.70   11 47.2   0.946   1.772   133   16.6  20:55 (  0, 67)  
Jan. 19   4 22.27   14 41.8   0.992   1.773   127   16.7  20:29 (  0, 70)

* C/2010 U3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 16.1 mag (Dec. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 16-17 mag for a long time until 2020. It is observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable at all in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  11 59.06   72 18.1   7.948   8.450   117   16.6   4:35 (180, 53)  
Jan. 19  11 58.04   72 46.8   7.935   8.449   118   16.6   4:07 (180, 52)

* C/2016 A1 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened up to 14.7 mag in early 2018 (Jan. 25, Catalina Sky Survey). Now it is fading slowly. Now it is 16.4 mag (Jan. 3, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time until the comet fades out. It is never observable again in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   5 50.47   73  6.2   5.501   6.141   126   16.7  22:24 (180, 52)  
Jan. 19   5 28.45   72 58.5   5.570   6.166   123   16.8  21:34 (180, 52)

* 59P/Kearns-Kwee

Now it is 17.0 mag (Dec. 31, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable at 17 mag in good condition until February. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   8 20.39   23 37.9   1.551   2.522   168   16.8   0:58 (  0, 79)  
Jan. 19   8 14.44   23 25.6   1.559   2.541   175   16.8   0:24 (  0, 78)

* C/2018 W2 ( Africano )

It is expected to brighten up to 10 mag in autumn. Now it is 17.2 mag (Dec. 31, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time while the comet is brightening. In the Southern Hemisphere, it it not observable until mid September. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  13 53.71   58 46.1   2.954   3.357   105   17.1   5:38 (196, 65)  
Jan. 19  14  2.85   62  3.6   2.848   3.287   107   16.9   5:38 (189, 63)

* P/2014 C1 ( TOTAS )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 2014. It has not been recovered yet. Now it is not detected, fainter than 20.0 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). The condition of this apparition is excelllent. It will brighten rapidly, and will be observable at 15.5 mag in excellent condition in March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  10 27.59    6 58.9   1.141   1.964   135   17.2   3:04 (  0, 62)  
Jan. 19  10 29.47    6 52.3   1.065   1.936   141   17.0   2:39 (  0, 62)

* 164P/Christensen

Now it is 17.3 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 17 mag in good condition in winter. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  11 21.20   24 42.2   1.894   2.613   127   17.0   3:58 (  0, 80)  
Jan. 19  11 19.84   25 51.5   1.869   2.653   134   17.1   3:29 (  0, 81)

* 247P/LINEAR

Now it is 17.8 mag (Jan. 5, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 17 mag in good condition in winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates very low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  11 19.08   35 57.3   0.737   1.556   128   17.2   3:55 (180, 89)  
Jan. 19  11 24.08   36 47.2   0.734   1.580   133   17.2   3:33 (180, 88)

* C/2014 B1 ( Schwartz )

Now it is 17.1 mag (Dec. 31, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). Fading slowly. 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. 12  11 43.73    6 16.7   9.443   9.933   117   17.2   4:20 (  0, 61)  
Jan. 19  11 43.66    6 30.1   9.353   9.944   124   17.2   3:53 (  0, 61)

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

Now it is 17.0 mag (Dec. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 17 mag in good condition in 2019. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  15 19.28  -14 23.5   4.126   3.734    60   17.4   5:38 (321, 31)  
Jan. 19  15 25.88  -14 48.2   4.040   3.741    65   17.3   5:38 (326, 33)

* C/2018 F4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Jan. 3, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 16 mag for a long time from 2019 to 2020. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It is hardly observable in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  14 15.25  -37 30.8   4.794   4.529    68   17.5   5:38 (345, 15)  
Jan. 19  14 16.97  -39  4.8   4.653   4.490    74   17.4   5:38 (350, 15)

* 361P/2017 S4 ( Spacewatch )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Jan. 5, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable in good condition at 16-17 mag in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   7  4.16    2 19.2   2.127   3.067   159   17.4  23:37 (  0, 57)  
Jan. 19   6 59.75    2 35.4   2.159   3.086   156   17.5  23:05 (  0, 58)

* 239P/LINEAR

Now it is 17.2 mag (Dec. 31, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 17.5 mag in excellent condition in January. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   8 12.93    1 36.0   0.698   1.650   157   17.4   0:50 (  0, 57)  
Jan. 19   8 10.65    0  5.6   0.694   1.652   159   17.4   0:20 (  0, 55)

* C/2017 K2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.7 mag (Nov. 30, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is expected to be observable at 5-6 mag for a long time from 2022 to 2023. It will be observable in good condition for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable at the highlight from 2022 summer to 2023 summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  17 52.99   51 42.2  12.663  12.472    76   17.5   5:38 (228, 37)  
Jan. 19  17 56.26   51 50.3  12.605  12.427    77   17.4   5:38 (228, 41)

* C/2015 XY1 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Dec. 31, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It was observed at 17 mag in last winter. It will be observable in good condition at 17.5 mag also in this winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   4 37.38    4 17.1   7.365   8.082   134   17.5  21:11 (  0, 59)  
Jan. 19   4 33.19    4  8.3   7.464   8.091   126   17.5  20:39 (  0, 59)

* 159P/LONEOS

Now it is 16.9 mag (Dec. 31, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 17.5 mag until January, in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates very low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   5 57.03   43 53.9   2.961   3.848   150   17.6  22:30 (180, 81)  
Jan. 19   5 52.42   43 58.2   3.018   3.860   144   17.6  21:58 (180, 81)

* 369P/2018 P1 ( Hill )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 17.5 mag in 2010. Now it is 17.1 mag (Dec. 31, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in late January. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   5 44.07   37 38.9   1.197   2.116   151   17.6  22:18 (180, 87)  
Jan. 19   5 42.35   37 37.0   1.256   2.140   145   17.8  21:49 (180, 87)

* 232P/Hill

It was expected to be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition in winter in the Northern Hemisphere. But actually, it is so faint as 21.0 mag (Oct. 5, K. Sarneczky, et. al). It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   5 14.66   34 50.3   2.149   3.024   147   17.7  21:48 (  0, 90)  
Jan. 19   5 11.27   34 55.7   2.197   3.018   139   17.7  21:17 (  0, 90)

* 373P/2018 R2 ( Rinner )

Now it is 17.6 mag (Dec. 31, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 16 mag in 2011. It is observable at 17.5 mag in good condition in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   2 43.30   11 40.3   1.861   2.393   110   17.7  19:18 (  0, 67)  
Jan. 19   2 48.34   11 34.9   1.932   2.381   104   17.7  18:55 (  0, 67)

* C/2018 X2 ( Fitzsimmons )

Now it is 18.0 mag (Dec. 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 17 mag from spring to summer. But it is hardly observable. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable only until May. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays locating extremely low. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   3 38.84   50 56.5   2.233   2.928   126   17.9  20:13 (180, 74)  
Jan. 19   3 38.78   50  0.5   2.243   2.877   121   17.8  19:46 (180, 75)

* 31P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 2

Now it is 17.9 mag (Dec. 31, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 18 mag in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   6 43.36   21 52.0   2.528   3.498   168   17.9  23:16 (  0, 77)  
Jan. 19   6 38.62   22  4.7   2.549   3.492   160   17.9  22:44 (  0, 77)

* C/2016 X1 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 18.1 mag (Dec. 14, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is observable at 18 mag in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12   7 18.86    4  3.3   6.652   7.594   162   17.9  23:52 (  0, 59)  
Jan. 19   7 16.55    3 57.7   6.657   7.590   160   17.9  23:22 (  0, 59)

* (6478) Gault

Main-belt asteroid. But it shows a straight tail like a comet. Now it is 17.4 mag (Jan. 8, Ken-ichi Kadota). It stays observable in excellent condition until early summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 12  10 48.51  -12 40.8   1.811   2.463   120   18.6   3:25 (  0, 42)  
Jan. 19  10 47.88  -12 41.6   1.723   2.449   127   18.5   2:57 (  0, 42)

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