Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2000 Sept. 16: North)

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Updated on September 17, 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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* 2P/Encke


Not observable. In the southern hemisphere, it will appear at dusk in October as 11 mag. The outburst from 8 mag to 6.6 mag on Sept. 14 was observed by the SOHO.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  11 59.06   -2 30.6   1.351   0.380     7    6.9    138.7 120.6  19:30 ( 98,-16)  
Sept.23  12 52.93  -10  5.4   1.359   0.486    16    8.6    124.6 118.3  19:19 ( 86,-13)  

* 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)  
Sept.16   9  2.42  -42 57.1   2.116   1.784    57    9.6     44.1  92.8   4:18 (313,-14)  
Sept.23   9 30.47  -43  3.2   2.084   1.710    54    9.4     43.8  90.1   4:24 (314,-13)  

* C/1999 Y1 ( LINEAR )

Image: 2000 Feb. 5
It will be observable as 12 mag under good condition from October to December.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16   2 45.40   49 37.6   3.065   3.590   113   13.1     19.4 257.5   3:05 (180, 75)  
Sept.23   2 30.70   48 58.3   2.928   3.557   121   12.9     23.2 252.4   2:23 (180, 76)  

* 47P/Ashbrook-Jackson


It keeps brighter than 13.5 mag until December, and the altitude will be higher slowly to 30 deg.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  20  0.41  -33 31.4   1.762   2.438   121   13.1      9.0  17.0  20:17 (  0, 22)  
Sept.23  20  2.63  -32 29.7   1.819   2.423   115   13.1     10.5  30.7  19:52 (  0, 23)  

* C/1999 K8 ( LINEAR )

Image: 1999 Dec. 30
Because it is far away, it keeps brighter than 14 mag until late 2000.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16   1 52.02    3 37.7   3.506   4.371   145   13.1     12.4 196.4   2:12 (  0, 59)  
Sept.23   1 50.11    2 13.1   3.472   4.388   152   13.1     13.1 200.6   1:42 (  0, 57)  

* C/1999 T2 ( LINEAR )

Image: 2000 Jan. 8
It will be observable in good condition as 13.5 mag until October. Recently it is brighter than this ephemeris, around 13.0 mag
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  16 59.65   48  3.6   3.090   3.114    82   13.4     26.7 204.4  19:30 (128, 62)  
Sept.23  16 53.18   45 16.1   3.144   3.099    78   13.4     24.8 199.1  19:19 (121, 59)  

* C/1999 K5 ( LINEAR )

Image: 1999 July 31
It is only observable in the Southern Hemisphere until the end of 2001. Recently it is brighter than this ephemeris, around 13.0 mag
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16   8 52.66  -70 14.1   3.396   3.330    77   13.7      5.8  96.5   4:18 (339,-27)  
Sept.23   8 59.61  -70 22.9   3.438   3.345    76   13.7      4.7 113.6   4:24 (340,-26)  

* 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3


It may keep the brightness of the outburst in the last return and reach to 6 mag. However, it locates extremely low, only 8 deg at best from November to December in the Northern Hemisphere.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  11 23.03   12 11.8   2.933   1.952    10   14.1     33.5 114.3   4:18 (248,-10)  
Sept.23  11 37.86   10 32.2   2.857   1.888    12   13.7     35.0 114.6   4:24 (252, -7)  

* 2000 RD53


New near earth asteroid. It is now at peak and will fade out very rapidly.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16   0 26.29   16  5.9   0.029   1.032   157   13.7    504.5 111.1   0:35 (  0, 72)  
Sept.23   3 43.83   -7  9.8   0.037   1.024   123   15.1    310.9 116.3   3:31 (  0, 48)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Image: 1999 June 12
It will not be observable soon. Now it is not in outburst.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  16 45.83  -29 27.6   6.109   6.024    80   13.8      5.8  82.3  19:30 ( 33, 17)  
Sept.23  16 49.14  -29 22.7   6.214   6.022    74   13.8      6.7  84.6  19:19 ( 36, 15)  

* C/1997 BA6 ( Spacewatch )

Image: 1998 Dec. 5
Fading now. In the northern hemisphere, it will be higher than 20 deg only in October and November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  20 34.92  -41 30.0   3.705   4.346   123   13.8     14.8 325.0  20:51 (  0, 14)  
Sept.23  20 30.33  -40  4.7   3.828   4.383   117   13.9     13.8 332.2  20:19 (  0, 15)  

* (2100) Ra-Shalom


Near earth asteroid. It will fade out soon.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  22  1.56   -9 25.5   0.204   1.194   155   14.0    100.2 215.6  22:16 (  0, 45)  
Sept.23  21 37.34  -17 45.6   0.230   1.189   140   14.6     74.4 214.4  21:25 (  0, 37)  

* C/1995 O1 ( Hale-Bopp )

Image: 1997 Apr. 5
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.16   6 51.99  -74 28.4  11.922  11.921    87   14.1      5.4 165.8   4:18 (348,-23)  
Sept.23   6 53.89  -75  5.6  11.987  11.968    86   14.2      5.4 171.5   4:24 (351,-22)  

* 75P/Kohoutek


It reached to 13 mag at return in 1987, however, it was not observed at return in 1994. The ephemeris says it will reach to 13.7 mag in November, but it may be much fainter.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16   1 43.99   20 37.0   1.414   2.284   140   14.8      2.8 315.0   2:04 (  0, 76)  
Sept.23   1 42.36   20 45.8   1.337   2.250   147   14.7      4.6 276.7   1:35 (  0, 76)  

* (4486) Mithra


Near-earth asteroid. It will fade out soon.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  22 34.14  -21 19.3   0.359   1.341   156   14.9     18.8 356.7  22:50 (  0, 34)  
Sept.23  22 34.40  -19 23.4   0.447   1.412   151   15.6     14.9   7.8  22:23 (  0, 36)  

* 71P/Clark


It is not observable at all until 2001 summer when it becomes fainter than 19 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  13 38.66   -8 20.8   2.486   1.725    32   15.2     38.4 116.6  19:30 ( 79,  0)  
Sept.23  13 55.22  -10 21.1   2.489   1.698    30   15.0     39.5 115.7  19:19 ( 78, -1)  

* C/2000 K2 ( LINEAR )


It will be observable as 16 mag until late October. It is 14.5-15.0 mag visually.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  17 48.50    5 20.9   2.182   2.448    92   15.5     22.0 115.8  19:30 ( 38, 54)  
Sept.23  17 58.24    4 14.8   2.236   2.440    89   15.5     23.6 113.1  19:19 ( 40, 53)  

* C/1999 J2 ( Skiff )

Image: 2000 Jan. 28
It will set down soon. However, it will be observable as 15.5 mag again in 2001 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  15 15.78   21 11.5   7.692   7.187    56   15.5      9.5 159.1  19:30 ( 92, 37)  
Sept.23  15 17.63   20 10.6   7.765   7.194    52   15.5      9.4 154.8  19:19 ( 93, 33)  

* C/1999 U4 ( Catalina-Skiff )

Image: 1999 Nov. 28
It will be observable in good condition as 15 mag from autumn to winter.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16   3 35.29   45 54.9   5.426   5.823   108   15.8      8.5 349.3   3:55 (180, 79)  
Sept.23   3 33.80   46 52.9   5.310   5.795   114   15.8      8.6 341.1   3:26 (180, 78)  

* 44P/Reinmuth 2


Although brightening now, it will be lower than 20 deg in October and than 15 deg in mid November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  16 47.60  -24 29.5   2.232   2.286    80   16.1     19.6  88.7  19:30 ( 35, 21)  
Sept.23  16 58.11  -24 26.1   2.284   2.256    75   16.1     21.4  88.7  19:19 ( 37, 21)  

* C/2000 K1 ( LINEAR )


It will be observable as 17 mag even in 2001 spring because it is very far.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  15 46.71   13 26.6   6.952   6.555    62   16.4      2.0 108.5  19:30 ( 78, 39)  
Sept.23  15 47.81   13 22.5   7.049   6.569    57   16.4      2.7 101.0  19:19 ( 81, 36)  

* 17P/Holmes


It was around 16.5 mag in late August.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16   3 15.04   42 44.4   1.777   2.360   113   16.8     12.4  12.5   3:34 (180, 82)  
Sept.23   3 15.86   44  5.3   1.733   2.380   118   16.8     11.0 359.2   3:08 (180, 81)  

* C/1999 T3 ( LINEAR )

Image: 1999 Nov. 13
It will be at peak of 17 mag in September and October, but the altitude is lower than 40 deg.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16   3 28.66  -18 35.5   4.780   5.366   120   17.2     16.1 199.0   3:48 (  0, 36)  
Sept.23   3 25.72  -20 22.4   4.717   5.368   125   17.2     16.7 203.5   3:18 (  0, 35)  

* 24P/Schaumasse


It will be observable as 9-10 mag from 2001 March to June.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16   2 54.33    2 57.7   2.041   2.796   130   17.5      3.3 194.1   3:14 (  0, 58)  
Sept.23   2 53.33    2 33.0   1.922   2.741   136   17.2      5.2 222.6   2:45 (  0, 58)  

* C/1999 N4 ( LINEAR )


It will not be observable soon.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  15 40.90    1 49.6   5.983   5.569    61   17.2      3.9 200.8  19:30 ( 68, 31)  
Sept.23  15 40.50    1 24.6   6.094   5.577    54   17.3      3.5 185.8  19:19 ( 71, 27)  

* 61P/Shajn-Schaldach


Although it is in the evening low sky as 17 mag in 2000 autumn, it will be observable again as 16.5 mag in 2001 autumn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  20  3.78  -16 10.1   2.100   2.813   126   17.3      2.9 180.5  20:20 (  0, 39)  
Sept.23  20  4.39  -16 28.4   2.155   2.789   119   17.3      3.4 132.8  19:54 (  0, 39)  

* P/1993 X1 ( Kushida-Muramatsu )


Unrecovered periodic comet in first return. It will locate high as 16.7 mag in November and December. However, it must be much fainter because not yet recovered.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16   2 51.94   13 31.0   2.268   3.001   128   17.6      0.5 169.9   3:11 (  0, 69)  
Sept.23   2 51.44   13 25.3   2.186   2.988   135   17.5      2.5 242.6   2:43 (  0, 68)  

* C/2000 O1 ( Koehn )


New comet. It keeps 17.5 mag until late October.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16   0  0.89   40  3.1   5.372   6.145   136   17.5     16.5 253.5   0:21 (180, 85)  
Sept.23  23 51.25   39 25.4   5.349   6.158   140   17.5     17.0 249.3  23:39 (180, 86)  

* C/1999 K2 ( Ferris )

Image: 1999 May 31
Fading gradually. It keeps 17-18 mag at good position until October. No observations reported since 1999 August.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.16  19 11.21   38 56.3   6.142   6.501   106   17.6      5.4 230.7  19:30 (173, 86)  
Sept.23  19  9.07   38 31.6   6.225   6.529   103   17.6      4.7 219.6  19:19 (131, 84)  

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