Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2001 Mar. 31: North)

Japanese version
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Updated on March 29, 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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* 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova


It will appear at dusk soon. Then it fades rapidly and reaches to 14 mag in late May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   1 40.46    9 34.0   1.405   0.529    16    8.4    107.6  66.3  19:45 (104, -2)  
Apr.  7   2 28.44   14 26.3   1.334   0.556    22    9.0    109.6  68.4  19:52 (106,  4)  

* C/1999 T1 ( McNaught-Hartley )


It keeps brighter than 11 mag until late April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31  18 37.50   60 43.8   1.785   1.991    86   10.2     31.5  20.0   4:23 (204, 60)  
Apr.  7  18 46.65   63 57.6   1.886   2.069    85   10.4     26.9  15.9   4:12 (199, 58)  

* 24P/Schaumasse


Katsumi Yoshimoto, Yamaguchi, Japan, observed it at 12 mag visually in mid March. It will be 10 mag in April and May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   4 13.74   25 44.3   1.533   1.278    55   11.3     47.3  70.9  19:45 ( 98, 37)  
Apr.  7   4 37.91   27 26.7   1.525   1.251    54   10.8     49.8  73.7  19:52 (101, 36)  

* 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)  
Mar. 31  23 43.93   -9  0.2   2.190   1.285    18   11.2     48.3  68.2   4:23 (271,-15)  
Apr.  7   0  4.41   -6 56.9   2.244   1.349    20   11.6     45.5  67.8   4:12 (268,-14)  

* C/2001 A2 ( LINEAR )


Katsumi Yoshimoto, Yamaguchi, Japan, observed it at 10 mag visually on Mar. 26. It will reach to 6 or 8 mag in June and July.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   6  3.77   -6 28.0   0.940   1.273    81   12.4     18.4 209.4  19:45 ( 45, 37)  
Apr.  7   6  0.28   -8 23.5   0.924   1.180    75   12.0     18.0 199.3  19:52 ( 52, 30)  

* C/1999 Y1 ( LINEAR )


Not observable. It will appear again at dawn in June. However, it never locates high and will not be observable after August.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   0 27.18   -0 35.1   4.085   3.092     5   12.7     10.4 119.7   4:23 (257,-19)  
Apr.  7   0 31.37   -1 11.8   4.069   3.094    11   12.7     10.4 121.0   4:12 (259,-17)  

* 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)  
Mar. 31  16  2.51   33  0.3   2.677   3.281   119   13.3     28.2 283.3   3:30 (  0, 88)  
Apr.  7  15 46.36   33 38.0   2.640   3.308   124   13.3     30.6 278.1   2:46 (  0, 89)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


Appearing at dawn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31  19 13.02  -27 59.6   5.978   5.961    84   13.7      5.2  86.8   4:23 (328, 19)  
Apr.  7  19 15.49  -27 58.0   5.865   5.959    90   13.7      4.2  87.7   4:12 (331, 21)  

* 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)  
Mar. 31  20 33.15  -67 58.7   3.209   3.250    83   14.2     22.1 105.8   4:23 (341,-21)  
Apr.  7  20 59.75  -68 36.2   3.143   3.235    86   14.1     21.4 103.6   4:12 (341,-22)  

* C/1999 K5 ( LINEAR )


It hardly faded out since the perihelion passage in 2000 June. But no observation has been reported since Jan. 5.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   5 24.04  -38 56.6   4.197   4.114    78   14.6     21.6  22.9  19:45 ( 33,  6)  
Apr.  7   5 29.26  -36 41.3   4.287   4.153    75   14.7     20.9  26.4  19:52 ( 39,  4)  

* 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)  
Mar. 31   0 55.00    8 30.8   3.371   2.380     6   14.7     30.6  62.1  19:45 (110,-12)  
Apr.  7   1  7.75   10  9.8   3.391   2.393     3   14.7     30.3  62.5  19:52 (115,-15)  

* C/2001 B2 ( NEAT )


Because it is far away, it keeps brighter than 16 mag until August.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31  10 53.94  -12 36.4   4.623   5.531   152   14.8     19.3 308.0  22:17 (  0, 42)  
Apr.  7  10 46.98  -11 13.4   4.688   5.546   146   14.8     18.3 310.1  21:43 (  0, 44)  

* 144P/Kushida


Not observable until December when it becomes fainter than 17.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   1 59.11   13 11.3   2.621   1.736    21   15.1     38.5  71.9  19:45 (104,  3)  
Apr.  7   2 17.05   14 33.8   2.604   1.695    19   14.8     39.8  72.9  19:52 (107,  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. 31   4 25.04  -75  2.2  13.227  13.193    85   14.8      3.9  32.9  19:45 ( 14,-26)  
Apr.  7   4 29.20  -74 40.0  13.249  13.237    87   14.8      3.9  39.7  19:52 ( 16,-28)  

* 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)  
Mar. 31  11 37.32   12 14.3   2.611   3.556   157   15.1      8.6 285.6  23:01 (  0, 67)  
Apr.  7  11 33.59   12 27.5   2.653   3.558   150   15.1      7.4 281.4  22:29 (  0, 67)  

* C/2000 K2 ( LINEAR )


Not observable. It will appear at dawn in July, but will be fainter than 17 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31  23 52.85    6  2.8   4.019   3.046    11   15.3     24.3  75.9   4:23 (257, -8)  
Apr.  7   0  3.74    6 43.4   4.047   3.090    14   15.4     23.6  76.0   4:12 (257, -6)  

* 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)  
Mar. 31  15 56.10   10 31.7   6.811   7.475   128   15.4      6.3 271.4   3:23 (  0, 66)  
Apr.  7  15 52.90   10 32.0   6.754   7.489   134   15.4      7.2 269.3   2:52 (  0, 66)  

* C/1999 U4 ( Catalina-Skiff )


Although it will be lower after this for a while, it is observable until 2002 autumn at 15 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   3  1.59   53  5.7   5.655   5.182    57   15.4     11.0  71.0  19:45 (135, 33)  
Apr.  7   3  9.93   53 31.8   5.700   5.165    53   15.4     11.7  70.2  19:52 (137, 30)  

* 110P/Hartley 3


It is fading gradually since some time before the perihelion passage.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   5  2.47   24 31.2   2.697   2.477    66   15.5     23.3  93.2  19:45 ( 90, 46)  
Apr.  7   5 14.60   24 21.2   2.777   2.478    62   15.6     24.1  93.6  19:52 ( 93, 42)  

* 33P/Daniel


Outburst. Takaaki Oribe, Saji Observatory, observed it at 15.9 mag on Mar. 21.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31  11 36.34   36 23.0   2.180   2.990   137   16.2     10.1 245.8  22:59 (180, 89)  
Apr.  7  11 31.49   35 47.8   2.256   3.021   132   16.4      9.5 232.2  22:27 (180, 89)  

* P/1999 WJ7 ( Korlevic )


It bursted out in mid February and reached to 15 mag, but now it is fading rapidly.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   9 51.59   10  4.6   3.016   3.800   136   16.5      3.5 292.9  21:15 (  0, 65)  
Apr.  7   9 50.46   10 12.3   3.108   3.818   129   16.6      1.7 298.1  20:47 (  0, 65)  

* C/2001 C1 ( LINEAR )


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)  
Mar. 31  14 23.88  -13 60.0   4.870   5.772   152   16.6     10.2 251.1   1:51 (  0, 41)  
Apr.  7  14 19.03  -14 22.5   4.797   5.747   159   16.5     11.0 253.3   1:19 (  0, 41)  

* 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)  
Mar. 31  16 25.44   30 37.9   6.561   7.051   115   16.6     12.5 329.5   3:52 (  0, 86)  
Apr.  7  16 21.70   31 51.8   6.532   7.072   119   16.6     12.7 324.7   3:21 (  0, 87)  

* 95P/(2060) Chiron


Appearing at dawn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31  17 55.29  -17 40.0  10.376  10.619   101   16.8      1.0  47.4   4:23 (343, 35)  
Apr.  7  17 55.48  -17 35.3  10.276  10.631   108   16.8      0.7   6.1   4:12 (347, 36)  

* C/1999 N4 ( LINEAR )


It is still bright. Akimasa Nakamura, Kuma, Japan, observed it at 16.9 mag on Mar. 21.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31  15 25.05    4 27.9   5.181   5.955   137   16.9     15.5 291.0   2:52 (  0, 59)  
Apr.  7  15 18.01    5  6.1   5.132   5.974   144   16.9     16.5 289.1   2:18 (  0, 60)  

* P/2000 WT168


It will fade out after this.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   8 19.46  -10 14.6   1.083   1.763   115   16.9     16.0  88.5  19:45 (  0, 45)  
Apr.  7   8 27.86  -10 11.7   1.131   1.767   111   17.0     19.3  88.9  19:52 (  9, 44)  

* C/2000 Y2


Fading.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   9 18.05    7  0.0   2.032   2.770   128   17.0      8.2  53.0  20:42 (  0, 62)  
Apr.  7   9 21.64    7 31.6   2.100   2.774   122   17.0      9.6  64.8  20:18 (  0, 63)  

* C/1999 H3 ( LINEAR )


Recently it was 1 mag brighter than this ephemeris.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   9 40.15    9 23.0   5.451   6.183   133   17.1      9.9 268.1  21:04 (  0, 64)  
Apr.  7   9 35.81    9 19.7   5.589   6.228   125   17.2      8.5 266.0  20:32 (  0, 64)  

* 70P/Kojima


Recently it was 1 mag brighter than this ephemeris.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31  12 59.80    4 50.9   1.535   2.523   169   17.2     12.6 295.2   0:27 (  0, 60)  
Apr.  7  12 54.51    5 25.1   1.567   2.554   167   17.3     11.9 291.5  23:50 (  0, 60)  

* C/2001 A1 ( LINEAR )


It will fade out rapidly after that.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   9 42.68   28 28.6   2.502   3.201   126   17.2     19.3 212.9  21:06 (  0, 83)  
Apr.  7   9 37.96   26 36.2   2.626   3.245   120   17.3     17.5 205.3  20:34 (  0, 81)  

* 65P/Gunn


Although it is around the aphelion now, it is observable as 17 mag in good condition until March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 31   7 35.96   30 58.7   3.980   4.272   100   17.4      3.1 127.6  19:45 ( 70, 80)  
Apr.  7   7 37.71   30 44.6   4.073   4.259    93   17.4      4.5 118.0  19:52 ( 81, 73)  

* (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)  
Mar. 31  10  4.40   -4 48.6  12.417  13.216   141   17.5      2.6 296.9  21:28 (  0, 50)  
Apr.  7  10  3.40   -4 40.4  12.485  13.214   135   17.5      2.2 300.8  21:00 (  0, 50)  

* P/2001 CV8 ( LINEAR )


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)  
Mar. 31  10 23.35   13 18.3   1.310   2.188   142   17.5      6.4 204.3  21:47 (  0, 68)  
Apr.  7  10 22.81   12 35.0   1.372   2.202   135   17.6      6.5 176.8  21:19 (  0, 68)  

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