Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2001 Feb. 10: North)

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Updated on February 13, 2001
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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 T1 ( McNaught-Hartley )


It keeps brighter than 9 mag in February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  16 47.74   23 38.3   1.298   1.484    79    8.3     70.6  31.9   5:25 (285, 61)  
Feb. 17  17  6.28   30 24.5   1.325   1.549    82    8.5     66.5  30.6   5:19 (272, 65)  

* 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3


Not observable. It will appear at dawn as 16 mag in July.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  20 30.18  -22 37.6   1.853   0.958    17    8.5     69.4  81.8   5:25 (291,-10)  
Feb. 17  21  3.97  -21 14.2   1.888   0.984    16    8.8     66.9  78.6   5:19 (288,-11)  

* C/2000 W1 ( Utsunomiya-Jones )


Extremely diffused and hardly to see even on the CCD images.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  16 51.77  -18 14.2   1.099   1.164    67   11.4     48.3 270.5   5:25 (325, 29)  
Feb. 17  16 25.20  -18  1.8   1.009   1.296    80   11.6     60.7 272.9   5:19 (337, 34)  

* 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak


It was very diffused and hard to see in mid January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  18 32.74  -16 50.9   1.634   1.147    43   12.5     53.6  87.3   5:25 (304, 15)  
Feb. 17  18 58.05  -16 26.6   1.664   1.187    44   13.1     50.6  85.3   5:19 (303, 15)  

* C/1999 Y1 ( LINEAR )


The altitude is getting lower gradually. It seemed to be fading recently.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  23 59.85    4  5.0   3.803   3.118    40   12.6     10.1 137.9  19:02 ( 79, 22)  
Feb. 17   0  3.18    3 15.5   3.883   3.110    33   12.6     10.0 131.9  19:08 ( 83, 15)  

* C/1999 T2 ( LINEAR )


It is observable as 13.5 mag until May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  17  1.94   26 32.0   3.188   3.132    77   13.5      8.0 318.8   5:25 (277, 60)  
Feb. 17  16 58.56   27 17.9   3.107   3.149    83   13.4     10.5 312.6   5:19 (280, 65)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


Not observable. It will appear at dawn in March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  18 43.25  -28 28.0   6.673   5.977    42   13.9     10.3  86.1   5:25 (311,  5)  
Feb. 17  18 48.60  -28 23.0   6.592   5.975    47   13.9      9.8  85.9   5:19 (313,  8)  

* C/1999 K5 ( LINEAR )


It hardly faded out since the perihelion passage in 2000 June.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10   5  6.45  -57 28.1   3.738   3.859    89   14.0     23.8 355.8  19:44 (  0, -2)  
Feb. 17   5  5.77  -54 41.4   3.782   3.894    89   14.0     23.9   0.2  19:15 (  0,  0)  

* 110P/Hartley 3


Brightened rapidly and reached to 14 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10   3 53.53   25 50.7   2.114   2.488   100   14.0     13.9 102.0  19:02 ( 38, 79)  
Feb. 17   4  1.07   25 32.6   2.196   2.484    94   14.0     15.7  98.4  19:08 ( 56, 74)  

* 47P/Ashbrook-Jackson


Not observable. It will appear at dawn in July as 15.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  23 26.16   -3 35.7   3.126   2.319    29   14.2     30.9  61.0  19:02 ( 78, 11)  
Feb. 17  23 38.79   -1 50.6   3.172   2.325    26   14.3     31.0  61.0  19:08 ( 83,  7)  

* C/2000 CT54 ( LINEAR )


Although it reaches to 13.5 mag in 2001 summer, only southern people can observe it.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  17 47.48  -60 37.6   3.751   3.393    61   14.7     23.9 118.8   5:25 (339,-13)  
Feb. 17  18  8.05  -61 55.9   3.668   3.369    64   14.6     23.9 117.5   5:19 (340,-14)  

* 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. 10   4 19.08  -78 13.6  13.047  12.880    78   14.7      4.3 340.8  19:02 (  0,-23)  
Feb. 17   4 16.59  -77 45.0  13.077  12.925    79   14.7      4.2 348.8  19:08 (  2,-23)  

* C/2000 K2 ( LINEAR )


It keeps brightening even after the perihelion passage and reached to 14 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  22 28.47    1  9.8   3.669   2.766    20   14.9     28.4  78.7  19:02 ( 90,  2)  
Feb. 17  22 41.35    1 49.7   3.733   2.802    16   15.1     27.9  78.0  19:08 ( 94, -2)  

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh


It is observable in good condition as 15 mag from February to April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  12  3.97    9  5.3   2.709   3.548   143   15.2      5.8 310.5   2:44 (  0, 64)  
Feb. 17  12  1.49    9 33.1   2.654   3.549   150   15.1      7.3 304.5   2:14 (  0, 65)  

* 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)  
Feb. 10  21 11.65  -22  7.9   2.663   1.697     9   15.2     41.9  75.0   5:25 (285,-17)  
Feb. 17  21 31.65  -20 48.3   2.682   1.724    11   15.3     41.0  73.5   5:19 (284,-17)  

* 1950 DA


Recovered asteroid after half of a century, which approaches to the earth and reaches to 14 mag in late February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  12  7.21   44 39.8   0.204   1.142   135   15.8     47.2  65.0   2:46 (180, 80)  
Feb. 17  12 45.34   47  8.3   0.146   1.089   131   15.2     79.5  73.1   2:56 (180, 78)  

* C/1999 U4 ( Catalina-Skiff )


It will be observable in good condition as 15 mag until February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10   2 21.52   51 33.8   5.214   5.312    90   15.3      4.1  88.8  19:02 (137, 62)  
Feb. 17   2 24.99   51 36.2   5.285   5.292    85   15.4      5.2  83.4  19:08 (133, 58)  

* 44P/Reinmuth 2


It will appear at dawn in July as 16.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  22 11.16   -7 56.2   2.851   1.892    11   15.4     38.7  67.0  19:02 ( 85, -7)  
Feb. 17  22 27.87   -6  8.8   2.861   1.890     8   15.4     38.8  66.4  19:08 ( 89,-10)  

* C/2001 B2 ( NEAT )


New comet. Because it is far away, it keeps 15 mag until June.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  11 49.61  -20 40.5   4.580   5.289   131   15.5     16.3 294.0   2:30 (  0, 34)  
Feb. 17  11 41.88  -19 49.6   4.487   5.280   139   15.5     18.0 296.0   1:55 (  0, 35)  

* C/1999 J2 ( Skiff )


It is observable as 15.5 mag until 2001 autumn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  16  5.40   10 18.1   7.400   7.385    85   15.5      0.7 102.2   5:25 (319, 59)  
Feb. 17  16  5.52   10 17.8   7.308   7.397    91   15.5      0.3 288.8   5:19 (328, 62)  

* C/2001 A2 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It will approach to the earth and reach to 10 mag in June and July.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10   7 23.97    6 25.0   1.042   1.945   146   16.0     39.6 246.6  22:00 (  0, 61)  
Feb. 17   7  7.16    4 33.3   1.006   1.850   136   15.7     38.6 245.3  21:15 (  0, 59)  

* C/1999 K8 ( LINEAR )


Recently it is fading rapidly. It should be fainter than this ephemeris.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10   1 50.47   -9 57.5   5.223   4.846    62   15.9     10.2  79.8  19:02 ( 46, 32)  
Feb. 17   1 55.39   -9 44.3   5.339   4.875    57   16.0     10.9  79.7  19:08 ( 53, 28)  

* 24P/Schaumasse


It will reach to 10 mag in 2001 April and May, however, it was much fainter than expected recently. Maybe it reaches only to 14 mag at best.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10   2 15.82   11 57.2   1.536   1.587    74   16.3     28.2  55.1  19:02 ( 60, 53)  
Feb. 17   2 27.63   13 52.1   1.545   1.534    70   16.1     31.1  57.5  19:08 ( 68, 50)  

* P/2001 CV8 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It is at the peak now. It will be fainter than 18 mag in May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  10 53.87   15 41.0   1.170   2.127   160   16.6      8.9 265.0   1:34 (  0, 71)  
Feb. 17  10 49.11   15 34.8   1.155   2.132   168   16.6     10.7 264.5   1:02 (  0, 71)  

* C/2000 K1 ( LINEAR )


Because it is far away, it keeps brighter than 17 mag until June.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  16 34.65   21 58.1   6.975   6.907    82   16.6      9.6   7.4   5:25 (292, 63)  
Feb. 17  16 35.03   23  6.2   6.903   6.927    87   16.6     10.0   1.5   5:19 (296, 67)  

* C/1999 H3 ( LINEAR )


The condition is good in winter and spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  10 24.90    9  5.9   4.904   5.868   166   16.6     15.2 272.5   1:06 (  0, 64)  
Feb. 17  10 17.69    9 10.6   4.928   5.913   175   16.7     15.3 272.6   0:31 (  0, 64)  

* C/2001 A1 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It keeps 16 mag until late February, it will fade out rapidly after that.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  11  3.09   39 52.7   2.034   2.918   148   16.7     26.1 252.2   1:44 (180, 85)  
Feb. 17  10 47.97   38 48.0   2.050   2.955   151   16.8     27.1 247.6   1:01 (180, 86)  

* C/2001 B1 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It will only to fade out.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10   3 13.05  -20  5.3   3.272   3.251    80   16.7     23.9 350.6  19:02 ( 20, 32)  
Feb. 17   3 11.70  -17 25.4   3.408   3.286    74   16.8     22.1 355.8  19:08 ( 30, 32)  

* 70P/Kojima


It is observable in good condition as 16.5 mag until February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  13 18.52    0 18.4   1.634   2.324   122   16.8      4.9  49.3   3:58 (  0, 55)  
Feb. 17  13 19.51    0 44.6   1.592   2.350   129   16.8      4.3   7.3   3:32 (  0, 56)  

* P/1999 WJ7 ( Korlevic )


It will be 17 mag until March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  10 16.81    7 55.5   2.709   3.679   167   17.0      9.7 287.3   0:57 (  0, 63)  
Feb. 17  10 12.36    8 16.4   2.710   3.696   175   17.0     10.0 287.9   0:25 (  0, 63)  

* 65P/Gunn


Although it is around the aphelion now, it is observable as 17 mag in good condition from December to March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10   7 48.59   31 27.6   3.477   4.362   150   17.2      8.6 277.9  22:25 (  0, 86)  
Feb. 17   7 44.26   31 33.7   3.522   4.350   142   17.2      7.3 274.5  21:53 (  0, 87)  

* C/2000 Y2


It keeps 17.5 mag until late March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10   9 18.27    1 55.7   1.865   2.835   166   17.4      6.8 320.4  23:55 (  0, 57)  
Feb. 17   9 16.35    2 34.9   1.874   2.840   165   17.4      7.0 327.1  23:25 (  0, 58)  

* (10199) Chariklo


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. 10  10 14.74   -5 35.2  12.312  13.230   157   17.5      3.4 277.7   0:55 (  0, 49)  
Feb. 17  10 13.14   -5 31.3  12.283  13.228   162   17.5      3.5 280.6   0:26 (  0, 49)  

* C/2000 U5 ( LINEAR )


Fading now. It will be fainter than 18 mag in March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10   3 37.83   15 42.6   4.194   4.385    94   17.5      7.2   4.8  19:02 ( 32, 68)  
Feb. 17   3 38.50   16 32.0   4.372   4.446    87   17.7      7.3  17.0  19:08 ( 49, 64)  

* C/2001 C1 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It keeps around 17 mag until 2002 autumn because it is far away. However, it goes to the southern sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10  14 41.76  -10 53.0   5.830   6.077    99   17.7      4.4 189.7   5:21 (  0, 44)  
Feb. 17  14 41.12  -11 22.7   5.695   6.056   106   17.6      4.6 205.4   4:53 (  0, 44)  

* 145P/Shoemaker-Levy 5


Fading now.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 10   5 12.95   37 59.8   1.873   2.494   118   17.8      8.7 113.6  19:50 (180, 87)  
Feb. 17   5 18.31   37 35.7   1.981   2.527   112   18.0     10.7 108.5  19:28 (180, 87)  

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