Weekly Information about Bright Comets (1999 Sept. 4: South)

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Updated on September 7, 1999
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Southern Hemisphere.

Please see also the Comet Rendezvous Calendar, Latest Pictures of Comets.

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* C/1999 H1 ( Lee )

Image: 1999 Aug. 22
The CCD images show the broad anti-tail. Southern observers cannot see it until October.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   6  3.96   52  4.9   1.116   1.264    72    8.0     59.0 306.3   4:52 (201, -2)  
Sept.11   5 17.51   56  5.2   1.001   1.365    85    8.2     77.1 295.8   4:42 (191, -3)  

* C/1999 N2 ( Lynn )

Image: 1999 July 31
The body of the comet is getting brighter since the discovery. It may be brighter than the ephemris for a while. It keeps observable for Northern people. It locates low at dusk until late October, then it turns to appear at dawn. It passes near by the North Pole in early February in 2000.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  12 57.73   30  2.3   1.729   1.114    37    9.7     20.7  40.7  19:06 (123, -6)  
Sept.11  13  4.86   31 45.8   1.843   1.206    37   10.1     19.0  42.2  19:11 (121,-12)  

* 10P/Tempel 2

Image: 1999 July 31
10 mag visually, well condensed and easy to see. It is stellar by CCD.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  17 59.35  -27 59.1   0.810   1.482   108    9.8     34.4 112.9  19:07 (180, 83)  
Sept.11  18 17.05  -29 23.5   0.847   1.482   105    9.9     36.3 107.4  19:11 (152, 84)  

* C/1999 J3 ( LINEAR )

Image: 1999 Aug. 18
It brightened rapidly from 12 mag to 10 mag in August. It also looks well on the CCD images now. It will close to the earth down to 0.5 AU in October and reach to 8 mag. Because the comet goes southwards, northern people can observe it only until mid October. On the other hand, southern people can observe it after when it appears in October.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   8 39.92   49 15.9   1.312   1.018    49   10.2     31.8 197.7   4:52 (221,-17)  
Sept.11   8 32.74   45 16.5   1.165   0.991    53    9.8     40.4 196.3   4:42 (222,-11)  

* C/1995 O1 ( Hale-Bopp )


Only southern people can observe it. Northern people can never see it again.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   7  0.18  -68 16.1   9.286   9.263    85   12.5      7.1 154.3   4:52 (336, 47)  
Sept.11   7  3.78  -69  2.1   9.346   9.315    85   12.5      7.1 159.4   4:42 (338, 48)  

* C/1998 T1 ( LINEAR )

Image: 1999 July 30
Not observable. It appears again at dawn as 15 mag in December.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  13 46.50  -19 20.4   2.220   1.769    51   12.6      4.2   9.4  19:06 ( 88, 33)  
Sept.11  13 47.21  -18 56.5   2.402   1.823    44   12.9      3.5  37.5  19:11 ( 84, 26)  

* C/1997 BA6 ( Spacewatch )

Image: 1998 Dec. 5
Only southern people can observe it. It will appear again in 2000 August as 13 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  10  0.26  -57 47.0   3.812   3.524    65   12.7     22.5 134.8   4:52 (323, 27)  
Sept.11  10 14.89  -59 40.4   3.805   3.511    65   12.7     23.4 135.3   4:42 (325, 28)  

* 4P/Faye

Image: 1998 Dec. 13
Appearing at dawn. No observations reported since Jan. 12.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   8 14.59   12 56.9   2.720   2.032    38   13.7     31.2 105.5   4:52 (246, 10)  
Sept.11   8 28.63   11 57.2   2.709   2.069    41   13.9     30.0 106.8   4:42 (247, 11)  

* 106P/Schuster


Not yet observed in this return. The ephemeris says it reaches to 12 mag from October to December. However, it will be much fainter than the ephemeris in fact.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   1  6.12  -31 42.5   0.989   1.878   140   14.1      5.8 207.0   2:16 (180, 87)  
Sept.11   1  3.67  -32 12.8   0.935   1.840   142   13.8      7.1 241.7   1:46 (180, 87)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Image: 1999 June 12
After conjunction, it appears at dawn in 2000 January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  14 58.31  -25 55.3   6.430   6.138    68   14.0      7.2  95.9  19:06 ( 91, 50)  
Sept.11  15  2.21  -26  1.4   6.528   6.136    62   14.0      7.9  97.2  19:11 ( 86, 45)  

* C/1999 K8 ( LINEAR )

Image: 1999 Aug. 1
Because it is far away, it keeps 15 mag until late 2000, while Northern people can observe it under good condition.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  21 20.61   34 55.8   3.884   4.627   132   14.1      9.9 204.5  22:27 (180, 20)  
Sept.11  21 18.51   33 48.5   3.863   4.604   132   14.1     10.7 198.0  21:57 (180, 21)  

* C/1998 M5 ( LINEAR )

Image: 1999 May 20
Not observable. After conjunction, it will appear again at dawn in mid October as 14.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  10 23.53    4 50.8   4.205   3.207     7   14.2     17.0 141.0   4:52 (272,-11)  
Sept.11  10 28.43    3 18.9   4.250   3.271    11   14.3     16.6 141.9   4:42 (271, -8)  

* 84P/Giclas


Not yet observed in this return. We can observe it as 14 mag from summer though winter under good condition. However, it will be surely much fainter than the ephemeris. It tends to be at peak while after the perihelion passage, so it may be bright suddenly after this.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   4 26.81   12 39.9   1.480   1.848    93   14.4     26.2  85.6   4:52 (194, 41)  
Sept.11   4 38.81   12 51.4   1.424   1.852    97   14.3     24.1  86.9   4:42 (192, 41)  

* 9P/Tempel 1


Not observable around the perihelion passage at all. When it appears at dawn in 2000 June, it will be already fainter than 15 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  11 47.98    8 22.8   2.860   1.900    14   14.8     35.6 116.4  19:06 ( 95, -7)  
Sept.11  12  3.20    6 30.1   2.835   1.862    12   14.5     36.7 116.5  19:11 ( 91, -9)  

* 37P/Forbes

Image: 1999 Aug. 18
Gradually fading.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   0 34.86    9 26.1   0.981   1.917   148   14.6     13.7 273.5   1:45 (180, 46)  
Sept.11   0 27.89    9 26.0   0.994   1.960   156   14.8     15.6 267.0   1:11 (180, 46)  

* C/1999 H3 ( LINEAR )

Image: 1999 July 31
Although it will be low in October and November, Northern people can observe it as 14 mag until 2000 April. Then they can trace it until July as the comet gets low at dusk as 16.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  14 19.62   40 35.0   3.948   3.503    57   14.7     14.1 190.9  19:06 (142, -1)  
Sept.11  14 18.43   39  1.2   4.008   3.507    53   14.8     13.0 185.6  19:11 (136, -4)  

* C/1999 K5 ( LINEAR )

Image: 1999 July 31
Almost stellar object. The perihelion passage is in 2000 July, when it will be 13.5 mag. But the comet is in the southern sky. Northern people can observe it until October as 15 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  18 17.55  -25 51.2   3.819   4.313   112   15.3     11.0 217.0  19:24 (180, 81)  
Sept.11  18 14.59  -26 51.1   3.894   4.273   105   15.3      9.6 209.7  19:11 (154, 81)  

* P/1988 V1 ( Ge-Wang )


First return, but not yet detected. It will be brightest soon. However, it is surely much fainter actually.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   2 10.98    7 32.7   1.806   2.551   127   15.4      6.9 143.6   3:21 (180, 47)  
Sept.11   2 12.29    6 50.3   1.756   2.563   134   15.4      6.7 167.1   2:54 (180, 48)  

* C/1999 J2 ( Skiff )

Image: 1999 July 31
Because it is extremely far away, it keeps 15 mag until late 2000, while Northern people can observe it under good condition. Looks like a stellar object by CCD.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  15 32.98   48 18.6   7.498   7.245    71   15.5     11.3 172.7  19:06 (157,  1)  
Sept.11  15 34.25   47  1.1   7.528   7.236    69   15.5     11.2 168.5  19:11 (152, -1)  

* 102P/Shoemaker 1


Not yet observed in this return. We can observe it until November as 15-16 mag. But it should be much fainter than the ephemeris.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   5 49.47   48 44.3   2.474   2.412    74   15.7     21.1  66.7   4:52 (200,  2)  
Sept.11   6  2.80   49 41.3   2.432   2.442    78   15.7     19.6  65.6   4:42 (199,  1)  

* P/1999 P1 ( Machholz 2 )


First return of a split comet. The condition is best and we can always observe it until it faded out. It wad recovered as about 20.5 mag (m2) on Aug. 3, about 3 mag fainter than this ephemeris. It will be around 19 mag now in fact.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  16 43.86  -10 46.5   1.275   1.624    89   16.2      7.1  96.7  19:06 (140, 60)  
Sept.11  16 48.16  -10 53.9   1.279   1.547    84   15.8     11.1  96.6  19:11 (130, 56)  

* C/1999 K6 ( LINEAR )

Image: 1999 July 31
It will keep over 60 deg high until late November, when it will be 18 mag, so we can observe its fading out under good condition.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  18 24.76   37  3.6   1.835   2.296   103   15.9      8.9 117.2  19:32 (180, 18)  
Sept.11  18 30.17   36 31.6   1.885   2.314   101   16.0     11.7 115.3  19:11 (180, 19)  

* C/1999 K2 ( Ferris )

Image: 1999 May 31
It will be over 45 deg high and 17 mag until mid November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  19 31.07    2 32.3   4.701   5.398   129   16.2      8.5 286.1  20:38 (180, 52)  
Sept.11  19 27.58    2 47.7   4.799   5.408   122   16.2      7.0 287.1  20:07 (180, 52)  

* (3200) Phaethon

Image: 1999 Feb. 6
Mother asteroid of Geminids. No astrometric observations have been reported since 1996 December.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   4 15.86   45 45.3   1.276   1.635    90   16.2     14.1 316.5   4:52 (186,  9)  
Sept.11   4  7.56   46 54.5   1.242   1.703    97   16.2     17.6 302.5   4:42 (181,  8)  

* 59P/Kearns-Kwee


Appearing at dawn, but not yet observed. It will be 16 mag and locale high in next autumn and winter.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   6 42.44   30  1.2   2.638   2.341    62   16.5     26.7  94.2   4:52 (219, 12)  
Sept.11   6 56.54   29 44.9   2.566   2.339    65   16.4     25.9  95.7   4:42 (218, 13)  

* 114P/Wiseman-Skiff


Not yet observed in this return. The condition is best. It will keep over 75 deg high until next February in Northern Hemisphere. It will be 13 mag in December.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   2 10.41   40 54.8   1.395   2.019   113   16.8     17.7  40.1   3:20 (180, 14)  
Sept.11   2 17.04   42 27.1   1.304   1.980   117   16.5     16.1  37.4   2:59 (180, 13)  

* C/1999 F2 ( Dalcanton )

Image: 1999 June 30
We can observe it until October when it fades to 17 mag and becomes low in the evening sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  15 16.44   11 56.9   5.894   5.555    65   16.6      8.3 104.4  19:06 (133, 29)  
Sept.11  15 20.45   11 42.5   6.003   5.583    60   16.7      9.0 103.1  19:11 (127, 25)  

* 50P/Arend


It was 16.8 mag on Aug. 5, a bit fainter than the ephemeris.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   5 52.81   40 11.7   1.970   1.937    73   16.8     31.6  73.5   4:52 (205,  9)  
Sept.11   6 11.17   41 10.5   1.922   1.947    76   16.8     30.3  74.5   4:42 (204,  8)  

* 137P/Shoemaker-Levy 2


It keeps 17.5 mag and 40 deg high until October. A stellar object.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  19 41.44  -14 20.1   1.543   2.352   133   17.3      3.2 233.6  20:48 (180, 69)  
Sept.11  19 40.97  -14 32.5   1.572   2.316   126   17.3      1.7 158.6  20:20 (180, 70)  

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