Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2001 Apr. 21: South)

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 Updated on April 27, 2001
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Southern Hemisphere.

Please see also the Comet Rendezvous Calendar, Latest Pictures of Comets.

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* C/2001 A2 ( LINEAR )
Although it faded to 8 mag in mid April, now it is brightening again. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 21   5 56.23  -12 41.9   0.866   1.006    64    7.2     20.4 189.8  18:53 (108, 45)  
Apr. 28   5 54.34  -15  9.2   0.821   0.930    60    6.8     22.5 192.2  18:46 (101, 42)

* 24P/Schaumasse
Yoshimi Nagai, Yamanashi, Japan, observed it on Apr. 23 at 10.8 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. 21   5 32.01   30  7.4   1.510   1.215    53   10.1     54.2  80.4  18:53 (138, 10)  
Apr. 28   6  1.68   30 57.5   1.506   1.207    52   10.0     56.1  84.2  18:46 (140, 11)

* 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova
It was bright at 9 mag in mid April. 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. 21   4 10.38   22 13.0   1.255   0.700    33   10.6    106.3  76.0  18:53 (120,  3)  
Apr. 28   5  2.25   24 33.0   1.257   0.794    39   11.1    101.1  81.1  18:46 (126,  7)

* 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. 21  18 56.59   69 14.8   2.094   2.227    84   10.9     19.7   3.7   5:00 (180,-14)  
Apr. 28  18 56.02   71 23.7   2.195   2.304    83   11.2     16.9 354.6   4:32 (180,-16)

* 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. 21   0 41.56   -3  7.9   2.344   1.479    23   12.4     40.4  67.6   5:03 (270,  6)  
Apr. 28   0 58.49   -1 23.4   2.388   1.545    25   12.8     38.0  67.8   5:08 (266,  8)

* 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. 21   0 39.54   -2 32.4   3.997   3.103    23   12.7     10.5 126.2   5:03 (269,  6)  
Apr. 28   0 43.42   -3 18.1   3.942   3.110    29   12.7     10.6 130.3   5:08 (266, 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. 21  15 10.11   33 57.5   2.618   3.363   130   13.4     33.5 267.2   1:15 (180, 21)  
Apr. 28  14 51.26   33 33.6   2.637   3.393   131   13.4     33.8 261.5   0:29 (180, 21)

* 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. 21  19 18.75  -27 57.5   5.639   5.954   103   13.6      2.0  92.9   5:03 (212, 82)  
Apr. 28  19 19.50  -27 58.7   5.530   5.952   110   13.5      0.9 105.3   4:56 (180, 83)

* 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. 21  21 52.58  -69 31.2   3.023   3.208    91   14.0     19.7  99.4   5:03 (339, 48)  
Apr. 28  22 18.07  -69 50.4   2.968   3.197    93   13.9     18.6  97.8   5:08 (340, 49)

* 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. 21   2 55.37   17 10.3   2.566   1.620    15   14.3     42.3  75.4  18:53 (105, -9)  
Apr. 28   3 15.79   18 21.7   2.546   1.586    13   14.0     43.5  76.9  18:46 (106, -9)

* 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. 21   0 38.07  -20  3.0   2.797   2.086    37   14.7     34.9  66.9   5:03 (284, 16)  
Apr. 28   0 54.14  -18 25.2   2.717   2.035    39   14.4     35.8  66.8   5:08 (280, 18)

* 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. 21   1 33.28   13 21.3   3.419   2.421     5   14.8     29.8  63.4   5:03 (264,-14)  
Apr. 28   1 46.06   14 53.4   3.427   2.436     8   14.9     29.5  63.9   5:08 (260,-11)

* 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. 21   4 38.99  -74  2.0  13.294  13.325    89   14.9      3.9  52.9  18:53 ( 19, 41)  
Apr. 28   4 44.49  -73 46.6  13.317  13.369    90   14.9      4.0  59.3  18:46 ( 20, 40)

* 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. 21  10 35.13   -8 33.5   4.869   5.577   130   14.9     15.5 314.9  20:36 (180, 63)  
Apr. 28  10 30.33   -7 19.2   4.982   5.593   122   15.0     13.9 317.7  20:04 (180, 62)

* C/1999 K5 ( LINEAR )
It hardly faded out since the perihelion passage in 2000 June. But no observation has been reported since Jan. 5. So the current brightness is uncertain. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 21   5 40.60  -32 36.3   4.474   4.232    69   15.0     19.4  33.4  18:53 ( 80, 51)  
Apr. 28   5 46.60  -30 47.1   4.570   4.272    66   15.1     18.7  36.9  18:46 ( 81, 47)

* 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. 21  23 23.47   -6 54.4   2.237   1.637    42   15.2     44.7  71.6   5:03 (262, 24)  
Apr. 28  23 43.44   -5 14.3   2.188   1.618    43   15.0     45.0  71.4   5:08 (258, 25)

* 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. 21  11 28.02   12 35.1   2.770   3.562   136   15.2      4.3 265.0  21:29 (180, 42)  
Apr. 28  11 26.39   12 29.4   2.843   3.565   129   15.3      2.8 243.4  21:00 (180, 43)

* C/2000 OF8 ( Spacewatch )
In the Northern Hemisphere, it goes southern sky and will not be observable after May, then appears again at dawn in November at 16.5 mag and fades. In the Southern Hemisphere, it locates high. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 21  19 41.73  -39 31.8   2.108   2.489   100   15.6     28.5 213.3   5:03 (301, 80)  
Apr. 28  19 29.81  -42 32.9   1.932   2.451   108   15.3     36.3 219.5   5:06 (  0, 83)

* 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. 21  15 45.41   10 26.1   6.674   7.518   144   15.4      8.6 264.7   1:50 (180, 45)  
Apr. 28  15 41.24   10 19.0   6.654   7.532   148   15.4      9.1 262.2   1:18 (180, 45)

* 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. 21   3 28.29   54 31.3   5.773   5.133    46   15.4     12.9  69.2  18:53 (142,-23)  
Apr. 28   3 38.27   55  4.2   5.800   5.118    43   15.4     13.5  68.9  18:46 (141,-25)

* 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. 21   5 39.85   23 55.2   2.928   2.483    54   15.7     25.4  94.9  18:53 (135, 16)  
Apr. 28   5 52.86   23 38.4   3.000   2.486    50   15.8     25.9  95.7  18:46 (134, 15)

* C/1997 BA6 ( Spacewatch )
Appearing at dawn. It will fade out gradually after this. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 21  21 55.76   -9 20.9   6.029   5.646    63   16.3      7.2  28.1   5:03 (248, 42)  
Apr. 28  21 57.14   -8 37.2   5.967   5.691    69   16.3      6.6  21.6   5:08 (240, 48)

* 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. 21  14  8.29  -15  4.6   4.696   5.699   175   16.4     11.9 256.0   0:13 (180, 70)  
Apr. 28  14  2.64  -15 24.4   4.671   5.675   175   16.4     12.0 256.7  23:35 (180, 70)

* 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. 21  16 12.52   34  8.7   6.509   7.116   123   16.6     12.8 315.2   2:17 (180, 21)  
Apr. 28  16  7.19   35  9.4   6.516   7.138   124   16.6     12.7 310.4   1:44 (180, 20)

* 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. 21  13 44.81  -22 12.8   1.452   2.447   169   16.7      9.9 263.6  23:45 (180, 77)  
Apr. 28  13 40.00  -22 17.5   1.472   2.464   167   16.8      9.1 268.2  23:13 (180, 77)

* 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. 21  11 25.03   34  6.3   2.433   3.084   121   16.7      9.2 203.7  21:26 (180, 21)  
Apr. 28  11 23.52   33  3.7   2.533   3.115   116   16.9      9.5 190.2  20:57 (180, 22)

* 95P/(2060) Chiron
Appearing at dawn. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 21  17 54.92  -17 26.0  10.091  10.657   121   16.7      1.4 298.2   3:59 (180, 72)  
Apr. 28  17 54.19  -17 21.6  10.009  10.670   128   16.7      1.9 289.0   3:31 (180, 72)

* 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. 21  15  2.62    6 17.0   5.086   6.014   155   16.9     17.7 285.3   1:07 (180, 49)  
Apr. 28  14 54.54    6 47.9   5.092   6.035   157   16.9     17.8 283.4   0:32 (180, 48)

* 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. 21   9 50.67   10 15.5   3.315   3.854   115   16.9      2.0 100.1  19:52 (180, 45)  
Apr. 28   9 51.97   10 11.1   3.427   3.872   108   17.0      3.7 104.4  19:26 (180, 45)

* C/2000 Y2 ( 2000 Y2 )
Fading. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 21   9 31.66    8 15.5   2.257   2.786   111   17.2     12.7  80.1  19:33 (180, 47)  
Apr. 28   9 37.95    8 27.2   2.343   2.795   106   17.3     14.2  85.2  19:12 (180, 47)

* 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. 21  16 33.13  -13 34.1   1.473   2.345   141   17.4      5.5 213.1   2:37 (180, 69)  
Apr. 28  16 30.97  -14  8.2   1.418   2.337   148   17.3      7.8 229.3   2:08 (180, 69)

* 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. 21   9 29.15    9  7.6   5.894   6.319   110   17.4      5.8 258.7  19:30 (180, 46)  
Apr. 28   9 26.81    8 58.7   6.056   6.364   103   17.4      4.5 252.0  19:00 (180, 46)

* 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. 21   7 43.58   30 11.8   4.259   4.231    81   17.5      7.2 110.6  18:53 (164, 23)  
Apr. 28   7 47.58   29 53.3   4.349   4.216    75   17.5      8.5 108.8  18:46 (160, 22)

* (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. 21  10  2.01   -4 25.2  12.651  13.210   121   17.5      1.4 314.3  20:03 (180, 59)  
Apr. 28  10  1.64   -4 18.6  12.747  13.208   115   17.5      1.0 328.7  19:35 (180, 59)

* 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. 21  12 45.19    6  8.6   1.670   2.615   154   17.6      8.6 282.0  22:46 (180, 49)  
Apr. 28  12 41.68    6 16.4   1.739   2.646   147   17.7      6.5 273.8  22:15 (180, 49)

* C/2001 A1 ( LINEAR )
Fading rapidly. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Apr. 21   9 33.05   23  2.4   2.900   3.336   107   17.6     14.8 188.6  19:34 (180, 32)  
Apr. 28   9 32.50   21 22.0   3.047   3.382   100   17.8     14.0 180.0  19:06 (180, 34)

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