Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2003 Sept. 6: North)

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Updated on September 9, 2003
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Northern Hemisphere.

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* C/2002 O7 ( LINEAR )


Although now it is in temporary conjunction with Sun and not observable, it will soon appear at dawn again in mid September in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until December when it appears in the evening sky at 11-12 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  10 51.87  -17  0.7   1.783   0.951    23   10.6     37.7 182.5   4:08 (270,-31)  
Sept.13  10 51.00  -21 35.6   1.699   0.920    26   10.4     41.1 182.5   4:15 (279,-26)  

* C/2001 HT50 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


It is observable around 11 mag in good condition until November. After December, it will fade out gradually while getting lower in the evening sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   5 23.55   17 48.9   2.822   2.857    81   11.6     14.2 275.7   4:08 (290, 55)  
Sept.13   5 15.68   17 58.0   2.685   2.873    90   11.6     18.2 273.7   4:15 (303, 63)  

* C/2001 Q4 ( NEAT )


It will reach to 1 mag in 2004 spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until that time. On the other hand, in the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until that time. It is getting brighter as expected until late July.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   4 31.94  -52 42.5   3.380   3.678    99   11.8     22.8 166.1   4:08 (347,  0)  
Sept.13   4 35.74  -55 21.0   3.288   3.601    99   11.6     23.5 170.1   4:15 (352, -1)  

* C/2002 T7 ( LINEAR )


It is expected to be 1 mag in the southern sky in 2004 spring. It is getting brighter as expected, 12.5 mag in early September.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   5 39.88   31 41.2   3.701   3.618    77   12.9      4.2  22.9   4:08 (265, 58)  
Sept.13   5 40.31   32  9.8   3.496   3.536    84   12.7      4.3 358.1   4:15 (268, 65)  

* 66P/du Toit


Good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. Now it is much brighter than expected, reported as 12.5 mag visually in July.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  15  5.16  -39 34.9   1.127   1.280    73   13.0     57.0 109.3  19:47 ( 39,  0)  
Sept.13  15 39.39  -41 29.4   1.137   1.292    73   13.1     59.0 104.1  19:36 ( 35,  0)  

* 81P/Wild 2


It will appear at dawn again in 2004 January at 14 mag, then fade out gradually.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  11  5.08    6 56.5   2.610   1.603     1   13.0     44.5 111.3  19:47 (111,-16)  
Sept.13  11 24.58    5  1.3   2.602   1.596     1   13.0     44.8 111.8  19:36 (109,-17)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


It has been observed around 12.5 mag since June to August.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  22 30.36   -3 59.0   4.741   5.742   172   13.1      7.1 253.8  23:29 (  0, 51)  
Sept.13  22 27.24   -4 12.9   4.759   5.742   166   13.1      6.8 253.0  22:58 (  0, 51)  

* 65P/Gunn


It keeps locating at the same altitude until November, while it is fading gradually.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  18 31.00  -33 31.5   1.978   2.549   113   13.2      9.0  79.7  19:47 (  4, 21)  
Sept.13  18 36.56  -33 18.9   2.070   2.562   107   13.3     11.1  79.8  19:36 (  6, 21)  

* C/2002 Y1 ( Juels-Holvorcem )


It locates in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere, although it will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere. It has been fading rapidly since July. It was 13 mag in early September.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   6 23.64  -78 57.7   2.266   2.520    92   13.3     26.3 150.8   4:08 (351,-27)  
Sept.13   6 58.28  -81 26.1   2.399   2.610    90   13.7     23.1 148.9   4:15 (353,-29)  

* 53P/Van Biesbroeck


It was reported brighter than 14 mag visually in July. But after opposition, it was reported fainter than this ephemeris.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  16 28.26  -15 51.5   2.303   2.431    84   14.6     20.9 107.3  19:47 ( 39, 29)  
Sept.13  16 38.34  -16 34.1   2.376   2.425    80   14.7     22.3 105.5  19:36 ( 40, 28)  

* C/2002 X1 ( LINEAR )


It will keep 14-15 mag until the end of 2003. At opposition in October and November, it may be observable visually around 13 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   5 20.08   11 13.6   2.475   2.558    83   14.7     20.2 234.5   4:08 (300, 51)  
Sept.13   5 11.16    9 45.1   2.336   2.577    92   14.7     25.2 237.5   4:15 (315, 57)  

* 118P/Sheomaker-Levy 4


Appearing at dawn. It will be fading slowly and become fainter than 18 mag in 2004 April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   8 48.02   14  1.2   2.827   2.051    32   15.0     33.4 102.7   4:08 (261, 12)  
Sept.13   9  3.48   13  7.8   2.798   2.062    35   15.1     32.8 103.8   4:15 (264, 15)  

* 116P/Wild 4


It kept brightening even after the perihelion passage in January, and reached to 12 mag in May. However now it is fading rapidly.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  16  3.44  -24  6.2   2.633   2.661    80   15.2     19.2  99.7  19:47 ( 39, 19)  
Sept.13  16 13.35  -24 28.2   2.743   2.686    76   15.4     20.0  98.9  19:36 ( 40, 18)  

* (3200) Phaethon


It passes the perihelion on Sept. 25 and reaches to 12 mag, however, too close to the sun to observe. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable until early September and after mid October. But it is fainter than 16 mag when it is observable.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   9 18.56   13 43.3   1.384   0.638    25   16.0    100.2 113.2   4:08 (257,  6)  
Sept.13  10  7.41    8 19.5   1.286   0.470    19   15.2    126.8 114.7   4:15 (259,  0)  

* 43P/Wolf-Harrington


It will reach to 13 mag in the evening sky from winter to spring in 2004.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  23 20.93   28 41.6   1.499   2.390   144   15.5     11.1 275.4   0:24 (  0, 84)  
Sept.13  23 14.71   28 39.8   1.438   2.348   147   15.3     12.3 262.6  23:45 (  0, 84)  

* C/2003 K4 ( LINEAR )


It will be 7 mag in the southern sky from autumn to winter in 2004.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  19 41.36   29 31.2   4.593   5.181   120   15.5     15.0 237.1  20:40 (  0, 84)  
Sept.13  19 34.98   28 31.3   4.585   5.113   116   15.4     14.4 231.8  20:06 (  0, 83)  

* C/2003 H1 ( LINEAR )


It has not been getting brighter at all since the discovery in April, and is still around 15.5 mag. It will be 13 mag at best in 2004 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  14 42.59    8  2.8   3.381   2.936    55   15.6     13.9 200.3  19:47 ( 80, 28)  
Sept.13  14 40.74    6 33.2   3.440   2.888    49   15.6     13.0 193.9  19:36 ( 81, 23)  

* C/2002 R3 ( LONEOS )


It will be observable at around 16 mag in good condition.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  23 23.22   19 37.2   3.015   3.940   152   15.6     32.7 253.0   0:26 (  0, 75)  
Sept.13  23  7.73   18 23.7   3.004   3.951   157   15.6     33.3 250.2  23:37 (  0, 73)  

* C/2002 CE10 ( LINEAR )


Completely stellar. It reaches to be brightest in best condition until mid September. But after that, it will fade out rapidly while getting lower.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  22 38.83   14 44.5   1.232   2.200   158   15.7     86.2 231.3  23:35 (  0, 69)  
Sept.13  22  7.99    8 21.0   1.263   2.227   157   15.8     82.1 228.5  22:37 (  0, 63)  

* C/2001 K5 ( LINEAR )


Although it locates in good position until autumn, it will fade out slowly.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  18  8.10   54 15.5   5.569   5.740    94   15.7      5.1 173.6  19:47 (163, 70)  
Sept.13  18  9.01   53 38.9   5.611   5.762    93   15.8      5.6 162.0  19:36 (157, 69)  

* P/2003 O2 ( LINEAR )


New periodic comet. It keeps 16 mag until November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   3 25.58   32 42.4   0.879   1.502   105   16.0     39.4  45.6   4:08 (300, 85)  
Sept.13   3 40.88   35 51.2   0.852   1.504   107   15.9     37.0  44.2   4:15 (180, 89)  

* C/2003 H3 ( NEAT )


It will be fading gradually until December when it becomes fainter than 18 mag and gets low in the evening.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  18 52.49   11  2.7   2.619   3.200   116   16.1      1.9  62.4  19:52 (  0, 66)  
Sept.13  18 53.77   11  6.9   2.722   3.229   111   16.3      3.7  84.3  19:36 (  6, 66)  

* 123P/West-Hartley


Appearing at dawn. It is observable around 14.5 mag from December to April.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   8 58.86   28 13.0   2.998   2.252    35   16.3     31.8 101.6   4:08 (247, 17)  
Sept.13   9 15.28   27 25.6   2.937   2.235    38   16.2     31.9 102.7   4:15 (250, 20)  

* C/2003 G1 ( LINEAR )


It will be observable in good condition at 16 mag until autumn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  16 51.39   12 30.0   5.139   5.188    87   16.2      3.6  97.6  19:47 ( 57, 55)  
Sept.13  16 53.37   12 26.3   5.248   5.205    82   16.3      4.7  96.8  19:36 ( 61, 53)  

* 22P/Kopff


It was reported 17.5 mag in late August. Now it seems a bit fainter than this ephemeris.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   3  4.64   11  9.9   2.239   2.829   115   16.5      2.0 189.2   4:06 (  0, 66)  
Sept.13   3  3.86   10 53.4   2.195   2.869   122   16.6      4.0 227.6   3:38 (  0, 66)  

* 2P/Encke


In the Northern Hemisphere, the condition is good. It locates high in the evening sky at 10 mag in mid November. It reaches to 8 mag in the evening low sky in early December. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is only observable until mid November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   2 27.95   27 39.7   1.276   1.969   118   17.0     12.9  11.7   3:30 (  0, 83)  
Sept.13   2 28.45   29 12.4   1.131   1.892   124   16.7     13.9 356.3   3:03 (  0, 84)  

* C/2003 L2 ( LINEAR )


It will be observable around 17 mag from autumn to winter in the northern sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  16 32.33   64 28.9   3.158   3.166    81   16.7      7.7 223.8  19:47 (156, 54)  
Sept.13  16 27.82   63 50.4   3.145   3.138    80   16.7      6.3 210.1  19:36 (153, 53)  

* C/2002 J5 ( LINEAR )


It keeps 17 mag until 2004 summer.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6  16 37.62   36 29.5   5.778   5.727    82   16.9      7.6 219.2  19:47 (103, 64)  
Sept.13  16 35.24   35 48.9   5.849   5.727    78   16.9      6.7 211.2  19:36 (102, 60)  

* C/2003 F1 ( LINEAR )


It keeps 17 mag until 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)  
Sept. 6  15 50.96   22 26.6   4.237   4.044    72   17.2     19.4 158.5  19:47 ( 84, 50)  
Sept.13  15 54.81   20 22.3   4.318   4.051    68   17.3     19.3 154.7  19:36 ( 83, 46)  

* P/2002 T5 ( LINEAR )


Appearing at dawn. It is observable around 17 mag until 2004 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   7 39.68   11 24.0   4.543   3.955    48   17.3     15.1  91.0   4:08 (273, 24)  
Sept.13   7 46.72   11 21.9   4.468   3.959    53   17.2     14.4  91.2   4:15 (277, 30)  

* 28P/Neujmin 1


Appearing at dawn. The ephemeris says it keeps around 17.5 mag until December. However, no observations have been reported since 2002 July, and the current brightness is uncertain.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   6  5.93   36 53.8   3.296   3.139    72   17.6     12.4  73.5   4:08 (254, 54)  
Sept.13   6 12.38   37 18.5   3.256   3.195    77   17.6     10.8  70.7   4:15 (254, 59)  

* 36P/Whipple


It becomes only 17.7 mag at best in October and November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 6   3 36.06   12 30.9   2.638   3.103   108   18.0      7.2 109.7   4:08 (342, 67)  
Sept.13   3 38.81   12 11.7   2.555   3.107   114   17.9      5.6 122.8   4:13 (  0, 67)  

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