Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2001 Dec. 22: South)

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 Updated on December 26, 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/2000 WM1 ( LINEAR )
It has been at 5.5 mag since late November. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not obesrvable until late February. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  23  4.79  -44 58.6   0.527   0.889    64    5.7     86.3 223.6  21:01 ( 58, 43)  
Dec. 29  22 26.48  -50 35.8   0.643   0.782    52    5.7     62.6 234.2  21:03 ( 48, 34)

* 96P/Machholz 1
It was observed at 13.5 mag visually on Dec. 16, but still unofficial. It is getting lower even in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it appears after perihelion passage, late January, but will be fainter than 12 mag. So visual observation will be impossible. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  19 12.74  -43 49.9   1.353   0.624    25   11.3     35.5  52.8  21:01 ( 40,  7)  
Dec. 29  19 30.39  -40 18.6   1.163   0.430    21    9.5     50.0  31.8  21:03 ( 41,  3)

* C/2001 W2 ( BATTeRS )
It bursted out and reached to 11 mag around Dec. 8. Then it faded a bit, but still keeps 11 mag. It will be unobservable soon in the Northern Hemisphere. It will appear at dawn in late February, but northern people can never see it again. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  19 16.50   -2 21.8   1.814   1.052    27   11.5     46.1 149.6  21:01 ( 71,-20)  
Dec. 29  19 26.95   -6 44.6   1.910   1.054    21   11.6     41.5 149.0  21:03 ( 65,-21)

* 19P/Borrelly
It has passed the peak and is fading now, but still bright. It is observable in good condition until to fade out. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  12 21.54   37 26.1   1.282   1.748   100   12.0     26.1  58.2   2:55 (218,  4)  
Dec. 29  12 33.62   39  5.4   1.281   1.795   104   12.2     23.5  51.3   3:00 (214,  5)

* P/2001 MD7 ( LINEAR )
It became brighter than expected and reached to 12 mag. It locates in the evening sky until 2002 April. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  23 26.96  -20 20.6   1.127   1.285    74   12.5     59.5  66.2  21:01 ( 93, 40)  
Dec. 29  23 53.66  -17 24.4   1.157   1.306    74   12.8     59.8  64.3  21:03 ( 95, 38)

* P/2001 Q6 ( NEAT )
Fading now, 11 mag in November and 12 mag in December. Very diffused. It is fading after this, but keeps observable for a while in the Northern Hemisphere. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  18 19.76   61 51.1   1.233   1.514    85   12.7      2.4 181.2  21:01 (147,-50)  
Dec. 29  18 19.77   61 49.8   1.284   1.549    85   13.0      1.9 359.5   3:00 (213,-50)

* C/2000 SV74 ( LINEAR )
It will be observable at 13 mag until 2002 September. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  23  2.45   55  5.4   3.419   3.737   101   12.8      5.3 218.3  21:01 (149,-14)  
Dec. 29  23  0.58   54 39.9   3.473   3.717    96   12.8      3.4 204.0  21:03 (146,-17)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1
Now observable. it will appear again at dawn in 2001 April. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  19 33.27  -24 17.4   6.783   5.876    21   13.9     11.9  77.6  21:01 ( 57, -3)  
Dec. 29  19 39.25  -23 59.2   6.816   5.874    15   13.9     12.1  77.3  21:03 ( 54, -7)

* C/2001 X1 ( LINEAR )
New comet. Although it reaches to 13.4 mag in January, it locates very low in the Northern Hemisphere after mid January.. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  12  4.91  -13 21.3   1.510   1.711    83   14.2     48.0 209.5   2:55 (255, 42)  
Dec. 29  11 50.99  -18 38.6   1.359   1.700    91   14.0     59.8 214.8   3:00 (251, 55)

* 2001 TX16
Asteroid with a cometary orbit of 6.8 year period. It will approach to the earth and reach to 13.8 mag in January and February. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   8 53.39   29 51.9   0.568   1.470   141   14.5     26.2  62.2   2:51 (180, 25)  
Dec. 29   9  5.28   31 20.2   0.536   1.456   145   14.2     24.3  57.7   2:35 (180, 24)

* C/1999 U4 ( Catalina-Skiff )
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)  
Dec. 22  11 33.46   74  3.1   4.446   4.934   114   14.7      6.8  27.0   2:55 (191,-22)  
Dec. 29  11 37.62   74 44.9   4.429   4.939   115   14.7      6.2  16.1   3:00 (189,-22)

* C/1999 Y1 ( LINEAR )
Some reported it at 12 mag. Northern people can never see it again. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  21 18.69  -50 36.6   4.651   4.040    46   14.7      4.0  54.8  21:01 ( 46, 28)  
Dec. 29  21 21.39  -50 22.0   4.752   4.082    42   14.8      4.5  65.4  21:03 ( 44, 24)

* C/2000 CT54 ( LINEAR )
It appears low in the evening sky from December to January even in the Northern Hemisphere. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  22 57.33  -38 59.9   3.949   3.620    63   15.1     21.0  30.5  21:01 ( 66, 41)  
Dec. 29  23  3.82  -36 55.2   4.057   3.652    59   15.2     20.8  32.8  21:03 ( 67, 36)

* 15P/Finlay
Not yet observed in this return. It keeps brighter than 16 mag until April. But the condition is worst. It always locates very low in the evening sky. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  19 48.18  -23 20.7   2.050   1.226    24   15.4     52.2  79.2  21:01 ( 60, -1)  
Dec. 29  20 14.69  -22  1.3   2.009   1.178    23   15.1     55.0  76.7  21:03 ( 61, -2)

* 16P/Brooks 2
It has been 16 mag since July. Then it must have fade out, but on the contraty it brightened and reached to 15 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   4 46.84   12 47.9   1.316   2.263   159   15.7      9.4 275.6  22:41 (180, 42)  
Dec. 29   4 42.97   12 57.2   1.380   2.296   152   15.9      7.0 284.5  22:10 (180, 42)

* 65P/Gunn
It will be 15 mag in next spring at opposition. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  11 43.22   14  8.1   3.326   3.621    99   16.1      6.9  86.8   2:55 (226, 27)  
Dec. 29  11 46.18   14 13.6   3.206   3.601   105   16.0      5.5  77.4   3:00 (219, 31)

* C/2001 N2 ( LINEAR )
It will be 14.5 mag in 2002 July. Although it will be unobesrvable in January, it will appear again at dawn soon. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  20 11.25   16  8.5   4.169   3.629    50   16.2      7.2 153.1  21:01 ( 96,-20)  
Dec. 29  20 13.02   15 27.3   4.197   3.583    45   16.2      6.7 143.4  21:03 ( 92,-25)

* C/1999 T2 ( LINEAR )
Appearing at dawn. It keeps the same brightness until 2002 April. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  13 37.56   -9  9.5   5.127   4.782    64   16.3      5.8 179.8   2:55 (266, 22)  
Dec. 29  13 37.28   -9 48.7   5.055   4.829    71   16.4      5.6 192.8   3:00 (262, 29)

* C/1999 J2 ( Skiff )
Appearing at dawn. It keeps the same brightness until 2002 September when it becomes low in the evening sky. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  15 34.76   -8 55.3   8.905   8.150    37   16.4      5.9 127.0   2:55 (283, -2)  
Dec. 29  15 36.91   -9 19.7   8.850   8.172    44   16.4      5.5 128.1   3:00 (279,  4)

* C/2000 OF8 ( Spacewatch )
It had been in the southern sky, but appearing at dawn also in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps the same brightness until 2002 February. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  11 53.82  -23 10.2   2.641   2.695    82   16.4     16.9 275.8   2:55 (265, 50)  
Dec. 29  11 44.33  -22 52.7   2.538   2.741    91   16.4     21.0 279.1   3:00 (257, 58)

* 2001 OG108
Asteroid with 50-year period. It closes to the earth down to 0.55 AU in 2001 April and reaches to 14 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  21 34.95   22 55.7   1.689   1.633    69   16.6      8.3 304.0  21:01 (113, -7)  
Dec. 29  21 32.10   23 34.5   1.707   1.554    64   16.6      7.9 325.4  21:03 (109,-14)

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh
Appearing at dawn. It reaches to 16 mag in 2002 spring. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  15  0.56  -13 11.2   4.378   3.731    43   16.6     16.9 106.7   2:55 (281,  7)  
Dec. 29  15  8.19  -13 43.7   4.309   3.738    48   16.6     16.2 106.0   3:00 (278, 12)

* P/2001 R1 ( LONEOS )
It will be observable at 16.5 mag until March. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  22 50.31   -9 39.3   1.527   1.509    70   16.7     37.2  60.0  21:01 ( 98, 27)  
Dec. 29  23  5.99   -7 24.8   1.543   1.477    67   16.6     39.6  60.0  21:03 ( 97, 23)

* C/2001 RX14 ( LINEAR )
It will be 10.5 mag in 2003 February. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   1  8.37   21 52.6   4.227   4.704   113   16.9      2.0 252.8  21:01 (149, 27)  
Dec. 29   1  7.82   21 50.3   4.273   4.645   106   16.8      0.3 257.3  21:03 (143, 23)

* C/2001 B2 ( NEAT )
It will keep 17 mag until 2002 March. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  10 39.65    4 21.0   5.948   6.357   110   16.9      8.5 304.4   2:55 (217, 44)  
Dec. 29  10 36.07    4 56.8   5.857   6.385   118   16.9      9.9 303.1   3:00 (205, 47)

* C/1999 K5 ( LINEAR )
No observations reported recently. However, it had been hardly fading for almost one year after the perihelion passage in 2000 July, and was bright at 15 mag in 2001 May. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   7  2.94  -19 37.0   5.056   5.786   134   17.0     12.0 292.5   1:02 (180, 75)  
Dec. 29   6 57.43  -19  1.2   5.073   5.833   137   17.0     12.5 296.6   0:29 (180, 74)

* C/2001 HT50 ( LINEAR-NEAT )
Appearing at dawn. It will be 12.4 mag in 2003 February. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  11 51.81  -13 11.1   5.936   5.962    86   17.1      4.1 243.3   2:55 (252, 45)  
Dec. 29  11 49.74  -13 22.4   5.759   5.911    94   17.0      5.2 254.5   3:00 (244, 52)

* 116P/Wild 4
It will be 10.5 mag in 2003 spring. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   6  3.15   28 16.3   2.300   3.281   175   17.1     12.6 272.4   0:02 (180, 27)  
Dec. 29   5 56.45   28 18.4   2.281   3.255   170   17.0     12.6 270.4  23:23 (180, 27)

* P/2001 Q2 ( Petriew )
Although it bursted out a bit in late November, now it is fading rapidly. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  10 43.14  -12 53.7   1.251   1.746   102   17.0      7.5 179.0   2:55 (234, 57)  
Dec. 29  10 42.21  -13 38.5   1.240   1.811   108   17.4      6.6 217.3   3:00 (222, 63)

* 124P/Mrkos
It will be 15.5 mag in the evening sky in 2002 spring. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   3 57.25   69 25.7   1.733   2.487   130   17.2     14.4 252.9  21:51 (180,-14)  
Dec. 29   3 40.71   68 44.2   1.715   2.444   127   17.1     13.6 237.1  21:07 (180,-14)

* 7P/Pons-Winnecke
Not yet observed in this return. Good target for first observation. It will brighten in the morning sky until May when it reaches to 11.5 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  13 58.52    9 45.7   2.204   2.047    67   17.4     33.3 101.6   2:55 (253,  6)  
Dec. 29  14 14.17    8 59.8   2.089   1.994    70   17.1     34.2 100.7   3:00 (251, 10)

* 51P/Harrington
Two nucleus A and D were discovered on Dec. 6. They are 16.5 mag, much brighter than expected. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   5 10.15   14 21.9   1.478   2.442   164   17.2     14.0 285.7  23:04 (180, 41)  
Dec. 29   5  4.21   14 49.4   1.547   2.485   157   17.5     11.8 290.2  22:31 (180, 40)

* 110P/Hartley 3
It keeps 17 mag until 2002 February, but locates low in the south. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  12  3.37  -11 31.2   2.870   2.949    84   17.2     13.3 132.8   2:55 (253, 42)  
Dec. 29  12  7.62  -12 32.6   2.792   2.969    90   17.2     11.7 136.8   3:00 (248, 48)

* 31P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 2
It will be observable at 17 mag in January and February. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   9 34.27   15 52.4   2.700   3.410   129   17.3      2.1 329.1   2:55 (191, 38)  
Dec. 29   9 33.27   16  7.3   2.625   3.410   136   17.2      3.9 309.0   3:00 (181, 39)

* P/1993 K2 ( Helin-Lawrence )
It was not recovered in early 2001 though the brightness was expected at 18 mag. It is probably fainter than 20 mag now. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  13 39.26   -0 30.5   3.899   3.635    67   17.4     14.7 104.7   2:55 (259, 16)  
Dec. 29  13 45.73   -0 54.9   3.787   3.618    72   17.4     13.8 103.4   3:00 (255, 22)

* (3200) Phaethon
It will pass the perihelion in 2002 April. The condition in this return is bad. It is only observable at 17 mag at best before perihelion passage. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   2  9.00   28 34.4   1.137   1.908   128   17.4     32.5 228.2  21:01 (166, 25)  
Dec. 29   1 57.92   26  7.6   1.172   1.854   118   17.5     26.9 222.0  21:03 (156, 25)

* 11P/2001 X3 ( Tempel-Swift )
Recovered after 93 year gap. It will fade out after this and become fainter than 18 mag in late January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  23 53.61    6 15.9   1.230   1.586    90   17.5     37.3  85.9  21:01 (123, 29)  
Dec. 29   0 11.41    6 38.8   1.278   1.584    87   17.5     38.7  84.2  21:03 (121, 27)

* C/2001 W1 ( LINEAR )
New comet. Now it is at the peak. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   5 55.52   30 57.7   1.421   2.400   172   17.6     69.0 298.5  23:47 (180, 24)  
Dec. 29   5 21.74   34 24.0   1.448   2.400   161   17.6     65.5 293.7  22:46 (180, 20)

* 44P/Reinmuth 2
Fading. It will be fainter than 18 mag in January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   4 59.95   28 40.6   2.017   2.980   165   17.6     12.4 252.5  22:54 (180, 26)  
Dec. 29   4 54.16   28 13.9   2.081   3.013   157   17.8     10.7 249.0  22:21 (180, 27)

* P/2001 T3 ( NEAT )
Fading. It will be fainter than 18 mag in January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   1 20.57    1 14.1   2.036   2.530   108   17.7     14.2  25.3  21:01 (140, 46)  
Dec. 29   1 23.98    2 45.1   2.111   2.523   103   17.7     15.7  32.8  21:03 (134, 41)

* 77P/Longmore
Not yet observed in this return. It reaches only to 16 mag in 2002 spring. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22  11 34.06   29  5.4   2.390   2.833   106   17.9      8.2  86.3   2:55 (215, 16)  
Dec. 29  11 37.90   29 12.0   2.286   2.810   112   17.8      6.3  77.6   3:00 (209, 19)

* P/2001 Q5 ( LINEAR-NEAT )
Fading now and it will be fainter than 18 mag in late December. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   1 27.32   24 17.5   1.875   2.495   118   17.8      8.2  98.3  21:01 (155, 26)  
Dec. 29   1 32.00   24 12.3   1.980   2.523   112   18.0     10.2  91.7  21:03 (149, 24)

* P/2001 TU80 ( LINEAR-NEAT )
New periodic comet. It is at the peak now, but as faint as 18 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 22   8 39.86   18 29.0   1.059   1.935   142   18.0      5.6  17.7   2:38 (180, 37)  
Dec. 29   8 39.89   19 10.9   1.024   1.939   149   17.9      6.8 346.7   2:11 (180, 36)

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Copyright(C) Seiichi Yoshida (comet@aerith.net). All rights reserved.