Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2000 Feb. 12: North)

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 Updated on February 28, 2000
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Northern Hemisphere.

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

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* C/1999 L3 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 30
Fading after the peak in late January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   7 57.88   25 57.2   1.110   2.041   153   10.9     96.5 286.9  22:26 (  0, 81)  
Feb. 19   7 13.97   28 23.5   1.230   2.061   136   11.2     75.7 281.7  21:16 (  0, 84)

* 9P/Tempel 1
Only observable in the Southern Hemisphere in the low sky. In the Northern Hemisphere, it appears at dawn in 2000 June, when 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)  
Feb. 12  19 38.49  -24 30.9   2.323   1.554    30   12.1     44.6  86.4   5:24 (300,  0)  
Feb. 19  20  1.00  -24  5.0   2.317   1.574    32   12.2     43.6  84.4   5:18 (299, -1)

* 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)  
Feb. 12  21 32.68  -61 12.5   4.103   3.508    47   12.9     18.7  45.3   5:24 (325,-35)  
Feb. 19  21 44.87  -59 42.7   4.101   3.522    48   12.9     17.7  45.3   5:18 (323,-34)

* 141P/Machholz 2

 Image: 2000 Jan. 22
The component A was 10 mag in early January. Then it faded out rapidly and reached to 12 mag in late January. In mid February, it could not be detected by CCD because too diffused. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   5  8.84   -3 51.4   0.526   1.271   110   13.2     75.3  74.9  19:43 (  0, 51)  
Feb. 19   5 39.10   -1 47.0   0.619   1.350   112   13.9     60.0  74.6  19:45 (  0, 53)

* 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)  
Feb. 12   4 36.89  -75 28.5  10.560  10.434    79   13.3      5.2 337.4  19:09 (  0,-20)  
Feb. 19   4 33.92  -74 54.3  10.600  10.483    80   13.3      5.1 345.7  19:09 (  2,-20)

* C/1999 S4 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 30
It will be 3 mag in 2000 July. It keeps a good position until 2000 February when it will be 13 mag. It keeps the same brightness recently. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   1 34.35   26 52.5   2.924   2.749    70   13.7      6.5 224.2  19:03 ( 90, 52)  
Feb. 19   1 32.53   26 24.2   2.965   2.662    62   13.6      4.3 216.0  19:09 ( 94, 44)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

 Image: 1999 June 12
The altitude will be 23 deg at best in the Northern Hemisphere. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  17  2.43  -30 47.8   6.438   6.092    65   13.9      7.7 101.9   5:24 (331, 17)  
Feb. 19  17  6.32  -30 58.7   6.332   6.090    71   13.9      6.9 102.8   5:18 (334, 19)

* 63P/Wild 1

 Image: 2000 Jan. 28
It is 12 or 13 mag visually, but it is faint as 16 mag by CCD. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  14  5.36  -17 13.8   1.486   2.015   107   14.0     20.8 150.8   4:40 (  0, 38)  
Feb. 19  14  9.60  -19 19.9   1.434   2.032   112   14.0     19.2 158.5   4:17 (  0, 36)

* C/1999 K8 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 1999 Dec. 30
Because it is far away, it keeps 14 mag until late 2000. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  22 59.91   12 51.8   5.033   4.244    33   14.3     17.5  92.3  19:03 ( 97, 13)  
Feb. 19  23  8.31   12 48.3   5.076   4.236    28   14.3     17.6  90.8  19:09 (100,  8)

* C/1999 K5 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 1999 July 31
It will reach to 13.5 mag in June, but will not be observable in the Northern Hemisphere. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  20 11.88  -44 19.7   4.283   3.528    35   14.6     18.3 118.1   5:24 (312,-18)  
Feb. 19  20 22.61  -45 21.9   4.196   3.503    40   14.6     18.9 119.4   5:18 (314,-17)

* C/1999 H3 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 25
It will keep 14 mag until 2000 March. It is 13 mag visually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  13 53.64   38 22.2   3.278   3.859   119   14.7     21.5 300.1   4:29 (180, 87)  
Feb. 19  13 41.61   39 35.3   3.232   3.885   125   14.7     23.6 295.3   3:49 (180, 85)

* 114P/Wiseman-Skiff

 Image: 2000 Jan. 22
Fading now. It is 13.5 mag visually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   4 18.88   15 36.7   1.059   1.602   102   14.8     34.5 104.5  19:03 (  8, 70)  
Feb. 19   4 35.19   14 40.4   1.125   1.617    99   15.1     34.9 102.3  19:09 ( 19, 69)

* C/1999 T1 ( McNaught-Hartley )
It is expected to be bright as 7 mag in late 2000. Northern people cannot observe it until December. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   1 21.07  -37  8.8   4.634   4.134    54   15.0      9.5  50.0  19:03 ( 36,  6)  
Feb. 19   1 25.67  -36 26.3   4.611   4.062    50   14.9     10.4  54.8  19:09 ( 41,  2)

* C/1999 J2 ( Skiff )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 28
It will be observable as 15 mag with a good condition. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  16 39.08   35 27.5   7.111   7.119    86   15.3      2.7  28.1   5:24 (261, 68)  
Feb. 19  16 39.53   35 45.3   7.043   7.116    90   15.3      2.7   6.3   5:18 (261, 72)

* C/1998 M5 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 28
Gradually fading. The altitude in the Northerm Hemisphere will not high after this. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  10  1.54  -22 20.7   3.842   4.670   143   15.6     16.2 264.7   0:37 (  0, 33)  
Feb. 19   9 53.46  -22 26.4   3.882   4.732   145   15.7     15.8 269.3   0:02 (  0, 33)

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

 Image: 2000 Jan. 15
Actually, it will be brighter than this ephemeris. It is 14 mag visually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   6 53.84   27 43.8   2.926   3.729   139   15.8      5.2 276.5  21:26 (  0, 83)  
Feb. 19   6 51.63   27 46.7   2.992   3.722   131   15.8      3.3 274.4  20:56 (  0, 83)

* C/1998 T1 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 1999 Dec. 27
Gradually fading. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  13 24.54  -16 35.8   2.741   3.303   116   15.8     23.8 289.3   4:00 (  0, 38)  
Feb. 19  13 12.98  -15 34.8   2.689   3.373   126   15.8     26.9 290.7   3:21 (  0, 39)

* 106P/Schuster

 Image: 2000 Jan. 22
Rapidly fading since December. It is 14 mag visually, a bit brighter than this ephemeris. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   2 29.83   26 52.2   1.496   1.664    81   15.8     38.9  59.9  19:03 ( 81, 63)  
Feb. 19   2 47.81   29  1.7   1.576   1.691    78   16.1     38.6  62.7  19:09 ( 88, 61)

* C/1999 E1 ( Li )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 28
It keeps 16 mag at good position until 2000 May. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  10 28.77   33 34.0   3.878   4.805   157   16.3     11.1 325.3   1:04 (  0, 89)  
Feb. 19  10 25.12   34 35.1   3.910   4.833   156   16.3     10.6 321.7   0:33 (  0, 90)

* 4P/Faye

 Image: 1999 Nov. 19
It seems to be fading gradually after November and still keeps 16 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   9 54.75    1 26.7   2.012   2.982   166   16.3     14.2 296.3   0:30 (  0, 56)  
Feb. 19   9 48.88    2 12.4   2.046   3.023   169   16.4     14.0 298.7  23:52 (  0, 57)

* C/1999 Y1 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 22
It will reach to 13 mag in 2000 November. It will be brightening gradually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   2 18.84   60 39.0   4.739   4.885    92   16.3     13.9 185.2  19:03 (151, 57)  
Feb. 19   2 19.69   59 19.4   4.806   4.855    86   16.3     13.1 180.8  19:09 (145, 54)

* 59P/Kearns-Kwee

 Image: 1999 Dec. 29
It keeps 16 mag and the good position until February. It is 14 mag visually, much brighter than this ephemeris. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   8  0.24   22 10.7   1.670   2.598   155   16.4      8.3 248.9  22:32 (  0, 77)  
Feb. 19   7 56.97   21 48.9   1.734   2.621   147   16.6      6.2 238.5  22:01 (  0, 77)

* 95P/(2060) Chiron

 Image: 1999 June 12
Appearing at dawn. No observations reported since June. The altitude will be 38 deg at best after this in the Northern Hemisphere. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  16 59.39  -18 16.8  10.227   9.885    67   16.5      4.3  88.2   5:24 (325, 28)  
Feb. 19  17  1.36  -18 15.5  10.129   9.896    73   16.5      3.7  86.4   5:18 (329, 31)

* P/1999 U3 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 21
Although it has been brightening after perihelion passage, it turned to be fading rapidly after mid January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   4 34.52   35 21.6   1.479   2.029   109   16.5     25.5 120.5  19:08 (180, 90)  
Feb. 19   4 47.22   33 54.6   1.571   2.057   104   16.8     25.8 117.4  19:09 ( 72, 86)

* P/2000 C1 ( Hergenrother )
New comet. It keeps 16.5-17 mag until April. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  12 12.59    5 24.8   1.251   2.114   141   16.7      5.4  24.7   2:48 (  0, 60)  
Feb. 19  12 12.97    6  3.5   1.202   2.108   148   16.6      6.1 354.3   2:21 (  0, 61)

* C/1999 S3 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 22
It has got diffused in December and now fading rapidly. It is 14 mag visually, a bit brighter than this ephemeris. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  20 54.74   63 16.9   2.182   2.196    77   16.7     21.5  14.7   5:24 (211, 30)  
Feb. 19  21  0.51   65 49.8   2.215   2.237    78   17.2     23.4  12.5   5:18 (209, 33)

* P/1998 U3 ( Jager )

 Image: 1999 May 12
Appearing at dawn. No observations reported since June 13. It may be much fainter than this ephemeris. The altitude will be around 15 deg after this in the Northern Hemisphere. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  15  1.02  -37 45.7   3.493   3.612    88   16.8      8.7 140.5   5:24 (358, 17)  
Feb. 19  15  3.81  -38 31.3   3.435   3.653    94   16.8      7.4 148.8   5:11 (  0, 16)

* 84P/Giclas

 Image: 2000 Jan. 3
After the perihelion passage, it has been getting brighter. But now it is fading since January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   4 57.52   20 16.2   1.780   2.346   112   16.8     12.4  65.7  19:30 (  0, 75)  
Feb. 19   5  3.66   20 50.8   1.892   2.379   107   17.0     14.1  70.2  19:09 (  1, 76)

* 1999 LD31
Retrograde asteroid. It will be overhead as 17 mag until March. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  12 16.04   22 11.0   1.696   2.548   142   16.9     59.4 296.9   2:52 (  0, 77)  
Feb. 19  11 47.34   25 12.0   1.657   2.575   152   16.9     64.0 292.8   1:56 (  0, 80)

* C/1999 U4 ( Catalina-Skiff )

 Image: 1999 Nov. 28
It will reach to 15 mag in 2001. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   1 47.79   22 24.4   7.064   6.803    70   17.1      5.0  50.4  19:03 ( 82, 52)  
Feb. 19   1 49.94   22 47.9   7.135   6.769    64   17.1      5.8  52.8  19:09 ( 87, 46)

* C/1999 F1 ( Catalina )
It will pass the perihelion in 2002 February and it will brighten gradually after this. But the altitude is highest now and keeps low after this for the Northern people. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  13 11.87  -25 13.2   7.236   7.708   115   17.2      6.6 233.7   3:47 (  0, 30)  
Feb. 19  13  8.85  -25 39.4   7.105   7.677   122   17.1      7.3 240.6   3:16 (  0, 29)

* C/1998 K2 ( LINEAR )
Although it has passed the perihelion in 1998 September, it is unexpectedly bright still now. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   3  7.75  -16 23.0   5.871   5.757    78   17.1      9.8  14.0  19:03 ( 25, 35)  
Feb. 19   3  9.15  -15 17.3   6.020   5.812    73   17.2      9.8  20.0  19:09 ( 34, 33)

* C/1999 XS87 ( LINEAR )

 Image: 2000 Jan. 15
It keeps the good condition until March, but it will fade out after this. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   6 12.41   16 54.2   2.560   3.284   130   17.2      2.3 154.4  20:45 (  0, 72)  
Feb. 19   6 13.39   16 40.5   2.671   3.318   123   17.3      3.5 121.0  20:18 (  0, 72)

* C/1999 F2 ( Dalcanton )

 Image: 1999 June 30
It keeps the good condition until autumn. It will fade out gradually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  17 17.13   16 19.8   6.514   6.273    71   17.3     10.7  46.9   5:24 (290, 52)  
Feb. 19  17 20.72   17 12.3   6.467   6.307    76   17.4     10.4  41.9   5:18 (293, 56)

* 50P/Arend

 Image: 1999 Sept. 20
Fading out gradually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   7 11.60   46 46.4   1.732   2.528   134   17.4     12.0 198.5  21:43 (180, 78)  
Feb. 19   7  9.98   45 25.5   1.819   2.563   129   17.6     11.7 185.0  21:14 (180, 80)

* P/1999 V1 ( Catalina )
Although the condition is good until April, it will be only 17 mag at best. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   9 43.06    0 40.7   2.085   3.053   166   17.4     10.5 262.5   0:19 (  0, 56)  
Feb. 19   9 38.25    0 33.6   2.097   3.067   166   17.5     10.1 266.3  23:42 (  0, 56)

* (10199) Chariklo

 Image: 1999 Jan. 22
A Centaur asteroid. The perihelion passage is in 2004. It will keep the current brightness over 10 years after this. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   9 48.22   -0  1.1  12.395  13.354   165   17.5      3.5 279.9   0:24 (  0, 55)  
Feb. 19   9 46.59    0  3.7  12.385  13.352   167   17.5      3.6 282.0  23:50 (  0, 55)

* 2000 AB229
New long-period asteroid. It will fade out and be low rapidly. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   8 51.30   -7 36.5   1.457   2.390   155   17.5     41.1 239.3  23:22 (  0, 47)  
Feb. 19   8 35.40   -9 51.4   1.513   2.413   148   17.6     36.3 241.0  22:38 (  0, 45)

* C/1999 U1 ( Ferris )

 Image: 1999 Nov. 13
Although the condition is good, it will fade out gradually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   3  8.98   15 54.3   5.941   5.965    86   17.6      4.9 341.4  19:03 ( 49, 64)  
Feb. 19   3  8.51   16 27.3   6.103   6.004    79   17.7      4.8 355.5  19:09 ( 62, 58)

* D/1984 H1 ( Kowal-Mrkos )
Only 8 observations reported during one month in 1984. The orbit and brightness are extremely uncertain. The ephemeris says it is highest and brightest until April. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   9  9.67    8 34.3   2.190   3.169   170   17.7     10.9 285.1  23:41 (  0, 64)  
Feb. 19   9  4.81    8 55.0   2.184   3.147   164   17.7     10.4 287.1  23:09 (  0, 64)

* P/1999 WJ7 ( Korlevic )
New comet. It will fade out after this. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   4 18.48   22 54.8   2.778   3.168   104   17.7      7.6  88.3  19:03 ( 13, 78)  
Feb. 19   4 22.82   22 57.6   2.874   3.168    98   17.8      9.5  86.7  19:09 ( 40, 75)

* C/1999 J4 ( LINEAR )
Both the brightness and altitude are at best now. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12  13 37.61   74 46.4   3.387   3.857   111   17.8     29.3 324.9   4:13 (180, 50)  
Feb. 19  12 59.57   77 18.9   3.408   3.869   110   17.8     29.2 312.1   3:09 (180, 48)

* P/1998 U4 ( Spahr )
The best condition of this comet is until March, at 45 deg high as 18 mag for the Northern people. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   7 46.79  -13  9.6   3.376   4.190   141   17.9      9.6 321.1  22:18 (  0, 42)  
Feb. 19   7 44.21  -12 15.1   3.423   4.203   137   17.9      9.4 329.6  21:48 (  0, 43)

* P/2000 B3 ( LINEAR )
New comet. Now it is at the peak and it will fade out rapidly. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 12   6 36.85   40  9.0   0.871   1.701   132   18.0     17.5 147.6  21:09 (180, 85)  
Feb. 19   6 43.59   38 23.4   0.907   1.701   127   18.1     20.1 139.7  20:49 (180, 87)

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