Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2001 May 5: South)

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 Updated on May 5, 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 rapidly again. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until it appears at dawn as 3 mag in late June. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
May   5   5 51.21  -17 48.9   0.765   0.865    56    5.5     25.1 199.9  18:40 ( 94, 38)  
May  12   5 45.43  -20 36.7   0.699   0.816    53    4.7     28.6 212.5  18:34 ( 87, 34)

* 24P/Schaumasse
It was 10.5 mag in mid April. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
May   5   6 32.69   31 22.1   1.506   1.205    52   10.5     57.7  88.2  18:40 (142, 11)  
May  12   7  4.58   31 18.5   1.510   1.211    53   10.6     58.9  92.3  18:34 (144, 13)

* 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)  
May   5   5 52.35   25 42.7   1.287   0.894    43   11.1     93.9  86.5  18:40 (132, 10)  
May  12   6 38.86   25 49.5   1.343   0.995    47   11.6     85.5  91.6  18:34 (136, 14)

* C/1999 T1 ( McNaught-Hartley )
It locates good position, however it is getting diffused and will not be obervable soon. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
May   5  18 51.56   73 11.9   2.296   2.383    82   11.7     14.6 343.8   4:00 (180,-18)  
May  12  18 42.65   74 40.1   2.394   2.461    81   11.9     12.8 330.6   3:24 (180,-20)

* 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)  
May   5   0 47.09   -4  8.8   3.874   3.118    36   12.6     10.8 135.2   5:13 (262, 18)  
May  12   0 50.52   -5  5.6   3.795   3.128    42   12.6     11.1 140.9   5:17 (258, 25)

* 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)  
May   5   1 14.47    0 13.8   2.429   1.611    28   13.2     35.8  68.1   5:13 (263, 10)  
May  12   1 29.56    1 43.9   2.464   1.677    30   13.5     33.8  68.5   5:17 (259, 13)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1
Appearing at dawn. Now it is 15 mag. 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)  
May   5  19 19.64  -28  0.7   5.426   5.950   116   13.5      0.5 221.3   4:28 (180, 83)  
May  12  19 19.17  -28  3.5   5.328   5.948   123   13.4      1.5 252.8   4:00 (180, 83)

* C/1999 T2 ( LINEAR )
It is observable as 13.5 mag until May. It was reported as 12 mag visually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
May   5  14 32.90   32 46.7   2.677   3.423   130   13.5     33.3 255.8  23:37 (180, 22)  
May  12  14 15.68   31 39.2   2.737   3.455   128   13.6     32.0 250.1  22:52 (180, 23)

* 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)  
May   5   3 37.03   19 26.7   2.526   1.554    12   13.8     44.6  78.6  18:40 (107,-10)  
May  12   3 59.06   20 23.6   2.508   1.526    10   13.6     45.7  80.4  18:34 (108,-11)

* 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)  
May   5   1 10.46  -16 44.6   2.636   1.985    40   14.1     36.8  66.7   5:13 (277, 20)  
May  12   1 27.04  -15  1.2   2.555   1.936    42   13.7     37.7  66.7   5:17 (273, 23)

* C/2000 CT54 ( LINEAR )
Although it reaches to 13.5 mag in summer, only southern people can observe it. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
May   5  22 42.48  -70  5.3   2.918   3.187    96   13.9     17.4  96.6   5:13 (341, 49)  
May  12  23  5.51  -70 17.3   2.871   3.178    98   13.8     16.2  96.0   5:17 (342, 49)

* 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)  
May   5   0  3.46   -3 32.8   2.142   1.602    45   14.8     45.3  71.3   5:13 (255, 27)  
May  12   0 23.51   -1 51.0   2.099   1.589    46   14.6     45.3  71.4   5:17 (251, 28)

* 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)  
May   5  19 11.26  -46  0.6   1.771   2.419   118   15.1     45.6 226.1   4:20 (  0, 79)  
May  12  18 44.03  -49 47.6   1.627   2.385   127   14.8     56.1 233.8   3:26 (  0, 75)

* 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)  
May   5   4 50.31  -73 33.8  13.342  13.413    91   14.9      4.0  65.5  18:40 ( 20, 39)  
May  12   4 56.38  -73 23.5  13.367  13.457    92   14.9      4.0  71.5  18:34 ( 20, 38)

* 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)  
May   5   1 58.84   16 22.6   3.430   2.452    11   15.0     29.1  64.4   5:13 (256, -8)  
May  12   2 11.60   17 48.8   3.429   2.469    15   15.0     28.7  65.0   5:17 (252, -5)

* 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)  
May   5  10 26.32   -6  9.9   5.106   5.610   115   15.0     12.3 320.9  19:32 (180, 61)  
May  12  10 23.05   -5  6.0   5.238   5.627   107   15.1     10.7 324.6  19:01 (180, 60)

* 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)  
May   5   5 52.75  -29  6.7   4.667   4.312    63   15.2     18.0  40.3  18:40 ( 81, 44)  
May  12   5 59.00  -27 35.1   4.762   4.353    60   15.3     17.3  43.8  18:34 ( 81, 40)

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh
It is observable in the evening sky until July. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
May   5  11 25.61   12 17.4   2.925   3.567   122   15.4      2.3 199.6  20:32 (180, 43)  
May  12  11 25.67   11 59.8   3.013   3.570   115   15.4      3.1 160.9  20:04 (180, 43)

* 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)  
May   5  15 36.89   10  8.7   6.649   7.547   151   15.4      9.4 259.6   0:46 (180, 45)  
May  12  15 32.46    9 55.0   6.657   7.562   151   15.4      9.7 256.8   0:14 (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)  
May   5   3 48.77   55 38.7   5.820   5.103    41   15.4     13.9  68.7  18:40 (141,-26)  
May  12   3 59.77   56 14.6   5.834   5.089    39   15.4     14.4  68.6  18:34 (141,-28)

* 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)  
May   5  21 58.04   -7 55.0   5.901   5.736    75   16.3      6.1  13.4   5:13 (231, 52)  
May  12  21 58.45   -7 14.4   5.831   5.781    82   16.4      5.7   3.3   5:17 (219, 56)

* 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)  
May   5  13 57.00  -15 43.5   4.662   5.652   167   16.4     11.9 256.8  23:02 (180, 71)  
May  12  13 51.49  -16  2.3   4.670   5.629   159   16.4     11.4 256.5  22:29 (180, 71)

* 95P/(2060) Chiron
Appearing at dawn. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
May   5  17 53.17  -17 17.4   9.937  10.683   135   16.7      2.4 284.0   3:02 (180, 72)  
May  12  17 51.91  -17 13.4   9.874  10.696   142   16.7      2.9 280.9   2:33 (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)  
May   5  14 46.39    7 14.7   5.117   6.055   156   16.9     17.6 281.5  23:51 (180, 48)  
May  12  14 38.35    7 36.8   5.161   6.076   152   16.9     17.1 279.5  23:16 (180, 47)

* C/2000 K1 ( LINEAR )
Fading gradually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
May   5  16  1.50   36  3.7   6.534   7.160   124   17.0     12.5 305.7   1:11 (180, 19)  
May  12  15 55.54   36 50.9   6.565   7.182   124   17.0     12.1 300.9   0:37 (180, 18)

* 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)  
May   5  16 27.46  -14 45.8   1.372   2.330   156   17.2     10.2 236.6   1:37 (180, 70)  
May  12  16 22.79  -15 27.0   1.338   2.324   163   17.1     12.3 240.1   1:05 (180, 70)

* 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)  
May   5   9 54.02   10  2.8   3.543   3.890   102   17.1      5.3 106.1  19:00 (180, 45)  
May  12   9 56.75    9 50.7   3.662   3.908    96   17.3      6.7 107.1  18:36 (180, 45)

* C/2000 Y2
Fading. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
May   5   9 44.97    8 32.1   2.433   2.806   100   17.4     15.6  89.2  18:52 (180, 46)  
May  12   9 52.65    8 30.4   2.527   2.819    96   17.5     16.9  92.4  18:34 (179, 46)

* 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)  
May   5   9 25.08    8 48.1   6.221   6.410    96   17.5      3.4 241.4  18:40 (177, 46)  
May  12   9 23.94    8 35.7   6.388   6.455    89   17.6      2.6 224.3  18:34 (169, 46)

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