Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2003 Oct. 11: South)

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Updated on October 11, 2003
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Southern Hemisphere.

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* 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.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11   4 36.34  -66 37.9   3.009   3.289    97   11.1     24.5 188.9   3:20 (  0, 58)  
Oct. 18   4 30.00  -69 24.4   2.961   3.210    95   10.9     24.2 195.1   2:47 (  0, 56)  

* 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)  
Oct. 11   4 20.04   17 57.7   2.202   2.953   130   11.3     39.5 267.2   3:05 (180, 37)  
Oct. 18   3 59.39   17 38.3   2.122   2.977   142   11.2     44.8 265.5   2:17 (180, 37)  

* C/2002 T7 ( LINEAR )


It is expected to be 1 mag in the southern sky in 2004 spring. It was 11.5 mag in late September, a bit brighter than this ephemeris.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11   5 28.26   34 39.6   2.670   3.200   113   11.7     13.7 297.8   3:57 (183, 20)  
Oct. 18   5 20.06   35 25.3   2.474   3.114   121   11.4     18.1 291.7   3:37 (180, 20)  

* 157P/2003 T1 ( Tritton )


Recovered after 25-year blank. Because now it is extremely bright in outburst, it is impossible to predict the behaviour after this.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11   9 22.52   17 38.4   1.648   1.433    59   11.7     45.7 112.8   3:57 (239, 11)  
Oct. 18   9 42.61   15 31.1   1.626   1.445    61   11.8     44.4 114.5   3:46 (241, 12)  

* 2P/Encke


It is getting brighter very rapidly after this. In the Northern Hemisphere, the condition is excellent. It locates high in the evening sky at 7 mag in mid November. 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)  
Oct. 11   1 57.26   37 27.2   0.616   1.551   146   13.5     40.3 303.6   0:43 (180, 18)  
Oct. 18   1 31.81   40  7.6   0.510   1.458   149   12.4     57.4 294.2  23:42 (180, 15)  

* 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)  
Oct. 11  12 42.61   -2 53.7   2.586   1.597     6   13.0     45.0 111.9   3:57 (286,-16)  
Oct. 18  13  2.09   -4 49.9   2.586   1.606     8   13.0     44.7 111.5   3:46 (288,-16)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


It has been observed around 12.5 mag since June to September.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11  22 17.57   -5  1.3   4.968   5.738   136   13.2      3.6 249.4  20:58 (180, 60)  
Oct. 18  22 16.22   -5  9.2   5.049   5.738   129   13.2      2.5 247.6  20:30 (180, 60)  

* C/2002 O7 ( LINEAR )


Michael Mattiazzo reported that it was extremely diffused on Sept. 27. It seems to be collapsed. It will disappear soon.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11  10 47.42  -46 38.5   1.242   0.962    49   13.6     72.8 181.1   3:57 (309, 29)  
Oct. 18  10 46.34  -55 59.4   1.129   1.012    56   14.5     88.0 181.1   3:46 (318, 34)  

* 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)  
Oct. 11  19  8.53  -32  3.3   2.462   2.616    87   13.8     17.7  78.8  19:37 ( 90, 68)  
Oct. 18  19 18.38  -31 37.7   2.563   2.631    82   13.9     18.9  78.3  19:45 ( 88, 62)  

* 66P/du Toit


Good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It has been observed so bright as 12.5 mag from July to September. However it was extremely diffused and hard to see in September.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11  18 12.62  -42 21.8   1.256   1.404    76   14.2     60.1  80.4  19:37 ( 65, 58)  
Oct. 18  18 48.82  -40 50.5   1.309   1.444    76   14.5     58.6  75.2  19:45 ( 68, 58)  

* C/2002 X1 ( LINEAR )


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)  
Oct. 11   4  8.38    1 23.4   1.883   2.671   133   14.3     51.4 244.6   2:53 (180, 54)  
Oct. 18   3 45.37   -1 14.7   1.825   2.700   144   14.3     56.7 246.1   2:03 (180, 56)  

* 43P/Wolf-Harrington


It will reach to 13 mag in the evening sky from winter to spring in 2004. It was already observed visually as 13-14 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11  22 50.45   25 29.4   1.299   2.182   143   14.5     14.0 217.2  21:31 (180, 30)  
Oct. 18  22 46.82   24  6.3   1.290   2.141   138   14.3     13.6 204.1  21:00 (180, 31)  

* 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)  
Oct. 11  17 25.40  -18 56.3   2.668   2.415    64   14.9     26.5  98.8  19:37 ( 95, 41)  
Oct. 18  17 38.53  -19 22.0   2.740   2.416    60   15.0     27.2  97.1  19:45 ( 91, 37)  

* 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)  
Oct. 11  19 17.67   24  2.1   4.634   4.841    95   15.2     11.0 207.7  19:37 (155, 27)  
Oct. 18  19 15.48   22 54.9   4.659   4.772    90   15.1     10.1 200.4  19:45 (146, 24)  

* 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)  
Oct. 11  10 19.16   23 38.2   2.676   2.179    50   15.6     31.7 106.2   3:57 (243, -3)  
Oct. 18  10 34.53   22 34.7   2.608   2.168    53   15.4     31.5 106.8   3:46 (244, -2)  

* 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)  
Oct. 11  10  1.38    9 13.2   2.653   2.120    48   15.7     30.1 106.7   3:57 (252,  9)  
Oct. 18  10 14.76    8 12.9   2.610   2.138    51   15.9     29.2 107.1   3:46 (252, 10)  

* P/2003 O2 ( LINEAR )


It keeps 16 mag until November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11   4 28.44   46 45.7   0.782   1.551   120   15.9     22.6  30.0   3:12 (180,  8)  
Oct. 18   4 34.75   48 54.3   0.774   1.573   124   15.9     18.4  21.7   2:51 (180,  6)  

* 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)  
Oct. 11  22 12.99   12 18.3   3.213   4.008   137   15.9     26.9 240.3  20:53 (180, 43)  
Oct. 18  22  2.59   10 46.8   3.320   4.024   129   16.0     23.9 237.9  20:15 (180, 44)  

* C/2001 K5 ( LINEAR )


Fading slowly. It keeps observable in the Northern Hemisphere until 2004 May when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11  18 21.16   51  8.1   5.792   5.855    88   16.0      8.0 129.8  19:37 (157, -3)  
Oct. 18  18 26.07   50 33.1   5.839   5.879    87   16.1      8.6 124.1  19:45 (153, -5)  

* 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)  
Oct. 11  16 31.38   61 55.4   3.056   3.035    79   16.4      5.2 114.6  19:37 (153,-20)  
Oct. 18  16 36.95   61 44.5   3.024   3.013    79   16.4      6.6  97.8  19:45 (150,-23)  

* 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)  
Oct. 11  17  6.25   12 14.0   5.653   5.279    63   16.5      8.6  90.8  19:37 (120, 18)  
Oct. 18  17 10.53   12 14.1   5.743   5.299    59   16.5      9.3  89.1  19:45 (115, 12)  

* 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)  
Oct. 11  19  7.77   11  7.7   3.166   3.358    92   16.8     10.6  89.5  19:37 (146, 37)  
Oct. 18  19 13.14   11  9.1   3.281   3.393    87   16.9     11.9  88.4  19:45 (138, 34)  

* 40P/Vaisala 1


It will be observable in good condition at 14 mag from January to April. It should be as bright as 17 mag already, however, it has not been observed yet in this return.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11  10 17.51   10 16.8   2.662   2.075    44   17.1     34.7 105.0   3:57 (254,  5)  
Oct. 18  10 33.51    9 12.4   2.577   2.042    47   16.9     35.3 105.4   3:46 (254,  6)  

* 22P/Kopff


Fading as expected.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11   2 49.16    9  8.9   2.100   3.028   153   17.0     12.6 249.4   1:34 (180, 46)  
Oct. 18   2 43.29    8 37.6   2.105   3.067   161   17.1     13.7 251.0   1:00 (180, 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)  
Oct. 11   8 10.89   11 16.6   4.120   3.980    74   17.1     10.7  89.4   3:57 (231, 27)  
Oct. 18   8 15.71   11 18.3   4.024   3.986    80   17.0      9.5  87.5   3:46 (228, 29)  

* C/2002 CE10 ( LINEAR )


Completely stellar. It will fade out rapidly while getting lower after this.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11  20 49.24  -11  7.8   1.763   2.356   114   17.1     35.9 220.6  19:37 (176, 66)  
Oct. 18  20 39.76  -13 58.0   1.940   2.392   104   17.4     27.2 217.4  19:45 (148, 66)  

* P/2003 S2 ( NEAT )


New periodic comet. Now it is at peak, and it will fade out after this.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11   1 51.82   -0 53.2   1.420   2.400   165   17.6     10.1 255.5   0:36 (180, 56)  
Oct. 18   1 47.08   -1  8.4   1.431   2.416   168   17.6     10.5 260.3   0:04 (180, 56)  

* 28P/Neujmin 1


It was 18.5 mag in early September, about 1 mag fainter than this ephemeris.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11   6 27.68   39  4.8   3.077   3.415   101   17.6      4.7  31.1   3:57 (195, 14)  
Oct. 18   6 28.51   39 33.4   3.034   3.469   107   17.6      4.1   3.9   3:46 (192, 14)  

* P/2003 S1 ( NEAT )


New periodic comet. It will reach only to 17.6 mag at best in late October, then fade out.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 11   0 24.88   10 10.0   1.853   2.841   169   17.7     10.4 237.1  23:05 (180, 45)  
Oct. 18   0 20.93    9 29.9   1.854   2.823   163   17.6      9.8 233.7  22:34 (180, 46)  

* 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)  
Oct. 11   3 39.54   10 14.6   2.283   3.125   141   17.7      6.4 218.1   2:24 (180, 45)  
Oct. 18   3 37.19    9 38.3   2.237   3.131   148   17.7      7.9 228.2   1:54 (180, 45)  

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