Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2000 Mar. 25: North)

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Updated on May 2, 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 S4 ( LINEAR )

Image: 2000 Feb. 12
It will be 3 mag in 2000 July, but it is a few mag fainter actually. Not observable now. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear at dawn in late May as 10 mag, then keeps observable until early August. In the Southern Hemisphere, it locates very low between late May and mid June, however, it locates high after late July.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25   1 35.42   25 52.6   3.010   2.210    30   12.8      4.1  70.0  19:40 (114, 11)  
Apr.  1   1 37.62   26  5.3   2.977   2.117    25   12.6      5.1  64.1  19:47 (118,  5)  

* C/1997 BA6 ( Spacewatch )

Image: 1998 Dec. 5
Only southern people can observe it. Recently it was observed as 12 mag. 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)  
Mar. 25  22 30.70  -53 35.7   4.005   3.606    59   13.0     12.2  47.1   4:32 (319,-26)  
Apr.  1  22 37.30  -52 40.8   3.967   3.626    63   13.0     10.9  47.6   4:21 (319,-24)  

* 9P/Tempel 1


Only observable in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it appears at dawn in 2000 June, when it will be already fainter than 15 mag. It was fainter than 12.0 mag on Feb. 11 by KenIchi Kadota, Ageo.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25  21 42.24  -20  1.8   2.281   1.707    43   13.1     37.6  76.9   4:32 (295,  0)  
Apr.  1  21 59.99  -19  0.7   2.270   1.739    46   13.3     36.2  76.0   4:21 (294,  1)  

* 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)  
Mar. 25   4 36.99  -72  6.0  10.782  10.729    84   13.5      4.8  24.0  19:40 ( 15,-22)  
Apr.  1   4 40.28  -71 36.5  10.816  10.778    85   13.5      4.7  31.1  19:47 ( 17,-24)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Image: 1999 June 12
The altitude will be 23 deg at best in the Northern Hemisphere. Now it is not in outburst.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25  17 18.24  -31 47.2   5.769   6.079   103   13.7      2.1 124.9   4:32 (352, 23)  
Apr.  1  17 18.89  -31 55.4   5.660   6.077   110   13.6      1.3 151.5   4:21 (355, 23)  

* 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)  
Mar. 25   1 57.70  -33 18.6   4.376   3.701    42   13.9     14.7  72.3  19:40 ( 61,-17)  
Apr.  1   2  5.76  -32 48.8   4.305   3.628    42   13.8     15.5  75.1  19:47 ( 65,-22)  

* 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)  
Mar. 25  21 23.22  -51 54.2   3.694   3.395    65   14.1     22.5 127.2   4:32 (323,-16)  
Apr.  1  21 37.21  -53 32.7   3.589   3.377    69   14.1     23.5 128.7   4:21 (324,-17)  

* C/1999 K8 ( LINEAR )

Image: 1999 Dec. 30
Because it is far away, it keeps 14 mag until late 2000. It will not be observable until May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25  23 50.55   13  7.9   5.174   4.208    13   14.3     17.5  86.3   4:32 (249, -6)  
Apr.  1  23 58.89   13 16.1   5.169   4.205    13   14.3     17.4  86.0   4:21 (251, -4)  

* 64P/Swift-Gehrels


Not observable at all in this return.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25   0 33.41    8 37.8   2.363   1.382     7   14.6     51.7  65.5  19:40 (109,-11)  
Apr.  1   0 55.95   11  6.4   2.349   1.364     7   14.4     52.5  66.3  19:47 (112,-11)  

* 63P/Wild 1

Image: 2000 Feb. 11
It is 1 mag fainter than this ephemeris by CCD.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25  14  5.41  -28 40.0   1.264   2.145   142   14.5     16.1 216.9   1:55 (  0, 26)  
Apr.  1  13 59.58  -30  3.1   1.256   2.173   148   14.6     16.1 227.8   1:22 (  0, 25)  

* C/1999 H3 ( LINEAR )

Image: 2000 Feb. 17
It will fade out gradually after this, but it can be observed as 17.5 mag in 2001 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25  12 21.26   42 36.5   3.258   4.031   135   14.9     26.9 267.4   0:12 (180, 82)  
Apr.  1  12  4.61   42 17.5   3.321   4.062   132   15.0     25.9 261.2  23:22 (180, 83)  

* C/1999 T2 ( LINEAR )

Image: 2000 Jan. 8
It will be 13 mag at good position in 2000 September.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25  22 37.36   31 38.2   4.585   3.847    37   15.2     11.8  22.0   4:32 (244, 18)  
Apr.  1  22 39.67   32 58.6   4.514   3.808    40   15.1     12.6  18.1   4:21 (244, 22)  

* 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)  
Mar. 25  16 32.71   37 30.9   6.720   7.110   109   15.2      5.8 299.3   4:22 (180, 87)  
Apr.  1  16 29.43   37 49.4   6.667   7.110   112   15.1      6.5 292.0   3:51 (180, 87)  

* C/1999 L3 ( LINEAR )

Image: 2000 Feb. 17
It faded out extremely rapidly in February and reached to 15 mag by CCD at the end of February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25   5 33.10   30 23.5   2.157   2.206    79   15.8     13.7 269.7  19:40 ( 91, 60)  
Apr.  1   5 27.04   30 23.1   2.352   2.243    71   16.1      8.9 270.1  19:47 ( 96, 52)  

* 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)  
Mar. 25   6 55.69   27 32.6   3.421   3.689    97   16.0      6.2  98.9  19:40 ( 63, 76)  
Apr.  1   6 59.35   27 25.2   3.517   3.683    91   16.1      7.8  98.5  19:47 ( 74, 70)  

* 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)  
Mar. 25   9 20.23  -21  9.1   4.309   5.040   132   16.2     10.3 291.2  21:06 (  0, 34)  
Apr.  1   9 15.88  -20 42.4   4.433   5.101   127   16.3      8.7 296.2  20:35 (  0, 34)  

* C/1998 T1 ( LINEAR )

Image: 2000 Feb. 11
Gradually fading.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25  12  4.83   -8  8.4   2.727   3.719   173   16.3     31.7 296.9  23:50 (  0, 47)  
Apr.  1  11 52.00   -6 29.3   2.806   3.787   167   16.4     29.7 297.9  23:10 (  0, 49)  

* 95P/(2060) Chiron

Image: 1999 June 12
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)  
Mar. 25  17  6.45  -17 59.6   9.613   9.956   107   16.4      0.7  28.5   4:32 (353, 37)  
Apr.  1  17  6.45  -17 54.9   9.516   9.968   114   16.4      0.8 333.4   4:21 (358, 37)  

* P/2000 C1 ( Hergenrother )

Image: 2000 Feb. 11
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)  
Mar. 25  11 59.54   10  7.3   1.112   2.096   167   16.4      9.7 306.3  23:45 (  0, 65)  
Apr.  1  11 56.03   10 42.3   1.128   2.098   160   16.5      8.0 301.8  23:14 (  0, 66)  

* 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)  
Mar. 25  10  8.74   37 50.4   4.275   4.980   130   16.6      4.7 306.4  21:55 (180, 87)  
Apr.  1  10  6.82   38  6.3   4.381   5.011   124   16.7      3.2 303.3  21:26 (180, 87)  

* 114P/Wiseman-Skiff

Image: 2000 Feb. 12
Rapidly fading now. It may be brighter than this ephemeris.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25   5 58.60   11 17.7   1.507   1.734    85   17.0     35.4  98.2  19:40 ( 54, 55)  
Apr.  1   6 15.20   10 42.2   1.592   1.765    82   17.4     35.2  98.3  19:47 ( 59, 52)  

* 141P/Machholz 2

Image: 2000 Jan. 22
It was diffused in mid February. No observations reported after that.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25   7 13.85    3 53.2   1.199   1.736   104   17.0     31.4  80.8  19:40 ( 18, 58)  
Apr.  1   7 27.94    4 23.3   1.331   1.810   100   17.5     29.5  82.9  19:47 ( 27, 57)  

* 4P/Faye

Image: 2000 Feb. 9
It was fading gradually after November and still keeps 16.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25   9 28.99    5 53.0   2.421   3.226   137   17.0      6.1 325.1  21:15 (  0, 61)  
Apr.  1   9 27.86    6 25.5   2.530   3.266   130   17.2      4.4 342.9  20:47 (  0, 61)  

* 1999 LD31


Retrograde asteroid. It will be fainter and lower rapidly after this.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25   9 19.99   31 18.9   2.020   2.734   126   17.2     39.3 266.9  21:05 (  0, 86)  
Apr.  1   9  0.79   30 54.5   2.177   2.769   116   17.4     31.7 262.0  20:19 (  0, 86)  

* 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)  
Mar. 25  17 31.68   22  7.5   6.234   6.479    99   17.4      9.0  11.6   4:32 (317, 73)  
Apr.  1  17 32.32   23  9.0   6.196   6.514   104   17.4      8.8   4.8   4:21 (327, 76)  

* 59P/Kearns-Kwee

Image: 1999 Dec. 29
Although it had been 16 mag for a while, it is fading out rapidly now.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25   7 59.73   19 38.9   2.191   2.744   113   17.5      8.2 120.2  19:47 (  0, 75)  
Apr.  1   8  3.74   19  9.3   2.300   2.770   107   17.7     10.0 115.5  19:47 ( 20, 73)  

* (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)  
Mar. 25   9 39.51    0 35.5  12.553  13.338   140   17.5      2.5 292.4  21:26 (  0, 56)  
Apr.  1   9 38.52    0 42.0  12.625  13.336   133   17.5      2.1 295.4  20:57 (  0, 56)  

* C/1999 N4 ( LINEAR )


It keeps 17 mag at good position until August.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25  18 13.75    0  1.3   5.416   5.521    90   17.6      8.2 307.7   4:32 (324, 49)  
Apr.  1  18 10.35    0 36.8   5.289   5.517    97   17.5      9.6 302.4   4:21 (330, 52)  

* 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)  
Mar. 25   8 50.51   10 31.0   2.337   3.045   127   17.7      2.1 335.8  20:37 (  0, 66)  
Apr.  1   8 50.67   10 42.2   2.395   3.025   120   17.7      2.0  48.7  20:10 (  0, 66)  

* P/2000 B3 ( LINEAR )


Brightened gradually and reached to 17 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 25   7 39.30   29 13.6   1.171   1.745   106   17.8     29.6 122.0  19:40 ( 26, 83)  
Apr.  1   7 52.94   27 23.5   1.238   1.762   103   17.9     30.7 120.7  19:47 ( 45, 79)  

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