Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2001 Apr. 14: North)

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 Updated on April 16, 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/2001 A2 ( LINEAR )
It brightened rapidly between Mar. 29 and 20, and reached to 7 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 14   5 57.96  -10 27.2   0.900   1.091    69    7.6     18.8 192.4  19:59 ( 58, 22)  
Apr. 21   5 56.23  -12 41.9   0.866   1.006    64    7.2     20.4 189.8  20:07 ( 63, 14)

* 24P/Schaumasse
Kamil Hornoch, Czech Republic, observed it on Apr. 12 at 11.5 mag, that was fainter than the ephemeris. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 14   5  4.02   28 55.8   1.517   1.230    53   10.4     52.1  76.9  19:59 (104, 35)  
Apr. 21   5 32.01   30  7.4   1.510   1.215    53   10.1     54.2  80.4  20:07 (106, 34)

* 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova
KenIchi Kadota, Ageo, Japan, observed it at 10.5 mag by CCD on Apr. 4. 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)  
Apr. 14   3 18.66   18 46.1   1.282   0.617    28   10.2    109.1  71.7  19:59 (107,  9)  
Apr. 21   4 10.38   22 13.0   1.255   0.700    33   11.8    106.3  76.0  20:07 (108, 14)

* 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)  
Apr. 14  18 53.17   66 47.1   1.990   2.148    84   10.7     23.0  10.6   4:01 (195, 56)  
Apr. 21  18 56.59   69 14.8   2.094   2.227    84   10.9     19.7   3.7   3:50 (191, 54)

* 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)  
Apr. 14   0 23.57   -4 59.2   2.295   1.413    21   12.0     42.9  67.6   4:01 (266,-14)  
Apr. 21   0 41.56   -3  7.9   2.344   1.479    23   12.4     40.4  67.6   3:50 (265,-13)

* 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)  
Apr. 14   0 35.50   -1 50.6   4.040   3.098    17   12.7     10.5 123.2   4:01 (262,-14)  
Apr. 21   0 39.54   -2 32.4   3.997   3.103    23   12.7     10.5 126.2   3:50 (264,-12)

* 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)  
Apr. 14  15 28.71   33 58.3   2.620   3.335   128   13.3     32.4 272.8   2:01 (  0, 89)  
Apr. 21  15 10.11   33 57.5   2.618   3.363   130   13.4     33.5 267.2   1:15 (  0, 89)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1
Appearing at dawn. No outburst bright enough to observe visually has occured since 1999 July. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 14  19 17.40  -27 57.3   5.751   5.956    96   13.6      3.1  89.4   4:01 (334, 22)  
Apr. 21  19 18.75  -27 57.5   5.639   5.954   103   13.6      2.0  92.9   3:50 (338, 23)

* 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)  
Apr. 14  21 26.34  -69  6.8   3.081   3.221    88   14.0     20.6 101.4   4:01 (341,-23)  
Apr. 21  21 52.58  -69 31.2   3.023   3.208    91   14.0     19.7  99.4   3:50 (340,-24)

* 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)  
Apr. 14   2 35.80   15 53.8   2.585   1.656    17   14.5     41.0  74.1  19:59 (111, -1)  
Apr. 21   2 55.37   17 10.3   2.566   1.620    15   14.3     42.3  75.4  20:07 (114, -4)

* 19P/Borrelly
In the Northern Hemisphere, it appears at dawn at 10 mag in late July, then reaches to 8 mag in autumn. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 14   0 22.23  -21 37.8   2.878   2.136    35   15.0     34.0  67.0   4:01 (281,-23)  
Apr. 21   0 38.07  -20  3.0   2.797   2.086    37   14.7     34.9  66.9   3:50 (280,-22)

* 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)  
Apr. 14   1 20.51   11 46.7   3.407   2.407     3   14.8     30.1  62.9   4:01 (244,-15)  
Apr. 21   1 33.28   13 21.3   3.419   2.421     5   14.8     29.8  63.4   3:50 (243,-13)

* 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)  
Apr. 14   5 34.80  -34 34.5   4.379   4.192    72   14.8     20.2  29.9  19:59 ( 45,  1)  
Apr. 21   5 40.60  -32 36.3   4.474   4.232    69   15.0     19.4  33.4  20:07 ( 51, -2)

* 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)  
Apr. 14  10 40.69   -9 52.0   4.771   5.561   138   14.8     17.0 312.4  21:09 (  0, 45)  
Apr. 21  10 35.13   -8 33.5   4.869   5.577   130   14.9     15.5 314.9  20:36 (  0, 47)

* 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)  
Apr. 14   4 33.87  -74 19.9  13.272  13.281    88   14.8      3.9  46.4  19:59 ( 17,-29)  
Apr. 21   4 38.99  -74  2.0  13.294  13.325    89   14.9      3.9  52.9  20:07 ( 19,-31)

* 51P/Harrington
It will appear at dawn in June at 14 mag, then will fade gradually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 14  23  3.57   -8 31.9   2.289   1.659    40   15.4     44.2  72.0   4:01 (281,  0)  
Apr. 21  23 23.47   -6 54.4   2.237   1.637    42   15.2     44.7  71.6   3:50 (279,  1)

* 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)  
Apr. 14  11 30.45   12 34.5   2.706   3.560   143   15.2      5.9 275.3  21:59 (  0, 68)  
Apr. 21  11 28.02   12 35.1   2.770   3.562   136   15.2      4.3 265.0  21:29 (  0, 68)

* C/1999 J2 ( Skiff )
It is observable as 15.5 mag until autumn. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 14  15 49.32   10 30.2   6.708   7.503   139   15.4      7.9 267.0   2:21 (  0, 66)  
Apr. 21  15 45.41   10 26.1   6.674   7.518   144   15.4      8.6 264.7   1:50 (  0, 65)

* 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)  
Apr. 14   3 18.84   54  0.4   5.740   5.149    49   15.4     12.3  69.6  19:59 (139, 26)  
Apr. 21   3 28.29   54 31.3   5.773   5.133    46   15.4     12.9  69.2  20:07 (142, 23)

* 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)  
Apr. 14   5 27.08   24  9.3   2.854   2.480    58   15.7     24.8  94.2  19:59 ( 96, 37)  
Apr. 21   5 39.85   23 55.2   2.928   2.483    54   15.7     25.4  94.9  20:07 ( 98, 32)

* 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)  
Apr. 14  14 13.79  -14 44.1   4.738   5.723   167   16.5     11.6 254.9   0:46 (  0, 40)  
Apr. 21  14  8.29  -15  4.6   4.696   5.699   175   16.4     11.9 256.0   0:13 (  0, 40)

* 33P/Daniel
Takaaki Oribe, Saji Observatory, observed its outburst on Mar. 21 at 15.9 mag. But now it is fading rapidly. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 14  11 27.70   35  1.6   2.340   3.053   127   16.5      9.2 218.0  21:56 (  0, 90)  
Apr. 21  11 25.03   34  6.3   2.433   3.084   121   16.7      9.2 203.7  21:26 (  0, 89)

* 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)  
Apr. 14  16 17.37   33  2.5   6.515   7.094   121   16.6     12.8 319.9   2:49 (  0, 88)  
Apr. 21  16 12.52   34  8.7   6.509   7.116   123   16.6     12.8 315.2   2:17 (  0, 89)

* P/2001 BB50 ( LINEAR-NEAT )
New periodic comet. It is at peak in April, then begins to fade after May. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 14  13 49.80  -22  1.7   1.444   2.430   166   16.7     10.1 257.9   0:22 (  0, 33)  
Apr. 21  13 44.81  -22 12.8   1.452   2.447   169   16.7      9.9 263.6  23:45 (  0, 33)

* 95P/(2060) Chiron
Appearing at dawn. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 14  17 55.36  -17 30.6  10.181  10.644   115   16.7      0.9 319.0   4:01 (352, 37)  
Apr. 21  17 54.92  -17 26.0  10.091  10.657   121   16.7      1.4 298.2   3:50 (357, 38)

* 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)  
Apr. 14   9 50.16   10 15.9   3.208   3.836   122   16.7      0.3  44.2  20:19 (  0, 65)  
Apr. 21   9 50.67   10 15.5   3.315   3.854   115   16.9      2.0 100.1  20:07 (  9, 65)

* 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)  
Apr. 14  15 10.50    5 42.8   5.100   5.994   150   16.9     17.2 287.2   1:43 (  0, 61)  
Apr. 21  15  2.62    6 17.0   5.086   6.014   155   16.9     17.7 285.3   1:07 (  0, 61)

* C/2000 Y2
Fading. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 14   9 26.20    7 56.9   2.175   2.779   117   17.1     11.1  73.6  19:59 (  2, 63)  
Apr. 21   9 31.66    8 15.5   2.257   2.786   111   17.2     12.7  80.1  20:07 ( 18, 62)

* 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)  
Apr. 14   9 32.15    9 14.6   5.738   6.274   118   17.3      7.1 263.0  20:01 (  0, 64)  
Apr. 21   9 29.15    9  7.6   5.894   6.319   110   17.4      5.8 258.7  20:07 ( 20, 63)

* 86P/Wild 3
It is brightest at 17 mag until late June, but the altitude is not too high. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 14  16 33.85  -13  3.3   1.537   2.353   134   17.5      4.2 179.7   3:05 (  0, 42)  
Apr. 21  16 33.13  -13 34.1   1.473   2.345   141   17.4      5.5 213.1   2:37 (  0, 41)

* 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)  
Apr. 14  12 49.55    5 51.4   1.612   2.584   161   17.4     10.5 287.3  23:17 (  0, 61)  
Apr. 21  12 45.19    6  8.6   1.670   2.615   154   17.6      8.6 282.0  22:46 (  0, 61)

* 65P/Gunn
Although it is around the aphelion now, it is observable as 17 mag in good condition. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 14   7 40.28   30 28.9   4.166   4.245    87   17.4      5.9 113.3  19:59 ( 87, 66)  
Apr. 21   7 43.58   30 11.8   4.259   4.231    81   17.5      7.2 110.6  20:07 ( 91, 60)

* C/2001 A1 ( LINEAR )
Fading rapidly. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 14   9 34.81   24 47.2   2.759   3.290   113   17.5     16.0 197.2  20:03 (  0, 80)  
Apr. 21   9 33.05   23  2.4   2.900   3.336   107   17.6     14.8 188.6  20:07 ( 33, 76)

* (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)  
Apr. 14  10  2.60   -4 32.5  12.564  13.212   128   17.5      1.8 306.2  20:31 (  0, 50)  
Apr. 21  10  2.01   -4 25.2  12.651  13.210   121   17.5      1.4 314.3  20:07 (  1, 51)

* 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)  
Apr. 14  10 23.68   11 47.0   1.441   2.217   129   17.8      7.9 155.6  20:52 (  0, 67)  
Apr. 21  10 25.89   10 54.8   1.518   2.233   123   17.9      9.8 142.2  20:27 (  0, 66)

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