Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2004 Sept. 4: South)

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Updated on September 4, 2004
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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/2003 K4 ( LINEAR )


It is observable at 6 mag until early September. But it will be getting lower rapidly. After that, it will appear at dawn at 5 mag in November and keep observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Norhtern Hemisphere, it will become visible in the morning low sky in latter Novemberk, but become unobservable soon, then keep unobservable until January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  13  6.65    6 36.5   1.931   1.221    33    6.1     32.0 203.9  19:07 (105,  9)  
Sept.11  13  0.94    3 16.9   1.984   1.162    25    5.9     30.1 202.5  19:12 ( 96,  3)  

* C/2001 Q4 ( NEAT )


It locates visible all night in the northern sky. It keeps observable after this in the Northern Hemisphere. It has been fading slower than expected since June, and it was bright as 9 mag still in mid August.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  12 38.13   63 54.2   2.328   2.019    59    9.4     20.5  65.8  19:07 (151,-27)  
Sept.11  12 59.09   64 53.1   2.362   2.105    62    9.5     21.8  66.7  19:12 (151,-29)  

* C/2004 Q2 ( Machholz )


New comet. It will be getting brighter on and on after this, then it will reach to 4 mag locating high in the evening sky in December and January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time while the comet is bright enough visible visually until 2005 October when it becomes faint as 14 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   4 25.82  -23  4.0   2.012   2.386    98   10.3     18.3 109.3   4:51 (220, 75)  
Sept.11   4 34.36  -23 48.7   1.882   2.309   101   10.0     17.6 112.5   4:41 (214, 77)  

* C/2003 T3 ( Tabur )


It will be getting higher after this, but getting fainter, too. However the fading is slow and it keeps 13 mag still in December. It passes across a barred spiral galaxy NGC 3198 on Sept. 17.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   9 51.59   48  3.9   2.909   2.276    42   11.9     26.4 116.4   4:51 (228,-26)  
Sept.11  10  7.25   46 42.9   2.947   2.343    44   12.0     24.6 117.1   4:41 (229,-25)  

* C/2002 T7 ( LINEAR )


Not observable. It will appear at dawn in late October at 13.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  11 10.86   -9 38.9   3.358   2.415    17   12.0     10.2 114.3  19:07 ( 75, -5)  
Sept.11  11 15.16  -10  9.1   3.470   2.509    14   12.2      9.9 116.6   4:41 (289, -9)  

* 78P/Gehrels 2


Already bright as 12.5 mag visually. It is observable in good condition as bright as 11-12 mag until January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   3  2.37   18 39.2   1.436   2.055   113   12.8     16.0  85.1   4:09 (180, 36)  
Sept.11   3  9.67   18 44.4   1.363   2.044   118   12.6     13.6  89.4   3:49 (180, 36)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


It was in outburst on Aug. 12, as bright as 12 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   0 23.31   12 12.7   4.827   5.724   150   13.1      5.7 259.8   1:31 (180, 43)  
Sept.11   0 20.48   12  3.9   4.783   5.724   157   13.1      6.4 256.5   1:00 (180, 43)  

* C/2004 Q1 ( Tucker )


New comet. It is observable at 12.5 mag in good condition from October to November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   2 39.58    5 46.9   1.633   2.329   121   13.7     21.7 341.7   3:46 (180, 49)  
Sept.11   2 35.31    8 19.5   1.518   2.291   129   13.5     25.7 333.6   3:15 (180, 47)  

* 103P/Hartley 2


Not observed in this return yet. It will appear at dawn at 15 mag in October, then it will be fading gradually.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   9 25.24    5 44.9   2.646   1.750    21   14.0     35.1 111.0   4:51 (263,  1)  
Sept.11   9 40.15    4 17.1   2.682   1.813    24   14.3     33.4 111.9   4:41 (263,  2)  

* C/2004 H6 ( SWAN )


It turns to be in the evening sky after September, then it keeps good condition in the evening sky. It is extremely diffused visually.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  19 14.69   -1 10.4   1.337   2.089   125   14.0     24.6 279.6  20:18 (180, 56)  
Sept.11  19  5.59   -0 46.6   1.533   2.182   116   14.7     15.5 280.4  19:42 (180, 56)  

* C/2003 T4 ( LINEAR )


The brightening evolution is slower than usual. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until 2005 spring when it reaches to 8 mag. It keeps observable both in the evening and morning until December, however, it keeps locating low at 20-25 deg high.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  10 34.17   68 44.8   3.625   3.269    61   14.4     21.3  95.0   4:51 (206,-37)  
Sept.11  11  1.99   68 27.5   3.498   3.187    63   14.2     22.5  97.1   4:41 (207,-38)  

* 88P/Howell


Diffused. It keeps observable in good condition until November when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   2 45.16   11 24.4   1.315   2.011   119   14.3      0.7 284.5   3:52 (180, 44)  
Sept.11   2 43.89   11 22.0   1.294   2.057   126   14.6      4.7 259.7   3:23 (180, 44)  

* (944) Hidalgo


It is observable at 13.5 mag in good condition in October and November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   2 43.86   15 45.3   1.726   2.377   118   14.9     18.2 358.7   3:51 (180, 39)  
Sept.11   2 42.84   17 57.9   1.616   2.341   124   14.7     20.1 348.9   3:22 (180, 37)  

* 48P/Johnson


It was observed at 15-15.5 mag, a bit fainter than this ephemeris in August. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps to be locating only around 30 deg high.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  19 44.18  -26 47.0   1.533   2.325   131   14.8      5.1 152.5  20:48 (180, 82)  
Sept.11  19 46.17  -27 15.0   1.593   2.320   124   14.9      6.3 123.2  20:23 (180, 82)  

* C/2001 HT50 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


It will fade out gradually, and keeps observable brighter than 17 mag until the end of 2004.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  23 41.57   14 22.9   4.004   4.938   155   15.2     21.3 252.5   0:49 (180, 41)  
Sept.11  23 31.80   13 35.4   4.023   4.988   161   15.3     21.5 250.6   0:12 (180, 41)  

* 65P/Gunn


It keeps around 16 mag until November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   1 40.80   -1 39.9   2.737   3.549   137   15.6      6.5 239.0   2:48 (180, 57)  
Sept.11   1 37.79   -2  4.4   2.698   3.570   144   15.6      8.2 243.6   2:17 (180, 57)  

* 32P/Comas Sola


It will be 12-13 mag in winter, locating high in the evening sky. It keeps observable until that time in good condition while the comet is getting brighter.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   3 12.25    8 14.6   2.051   2.621   113   16.3      8.4  73.8   4:19 (180, 47)  
Sept.11   3 15.59    8 30.0   1.935   2.582   119   16.0      6.3  71.3   3:55 (180, 46)  

* 56P/Slaughter-Burnham


It keeps observable at 16 mag in good condition until the end of 2004.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  23 52.48    0 40.7   1.747   2.728   163   16.2      8.6 271.4   1:00 (180, 54)  
Sept.11  23 48.16    0 40.5   1.711   2.709   170   16.2      9.8 268.6   0:28 (180, 54)  

* 121P/Shoemaker-Holt 2


It tends to become brightest after the perihelion passage. In this return, it will reach to 14 mag in 2005 February at the opposition. No observations have been reported since it appeared at dawn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   8 13.07   21 37.1   3.324   2.648    41   16.5     25.2  93.2   4:51 (239,  5)  
Sept.11   8 25.57   21 26.3   3.263   2.649    45   16.5     24.8  93.7   4:41 (239,  6)  

* 49P/Arend-Rigaux


It was observed about 1 mag brighter than expected. It will reach to 14.5 mag from January to March in the evening sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   1 24.94  -18 58.8   1.391   2.267   141   16.8     15.0 178.7   2:32 (180, 74)  
Sept.11   1 24.42  -20 47.3   1.315   2.217   145   16.6     16.1 188.9   2:04 (180, 76)  

* 119P/Parker-Hartley


It is observable at 16.5 mag in good condition in autumn.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   1 27.97   14 53.2   2.536   3.333   135   16.9      2.8 257.5   2:35 (180, 40)  
Sept.11   1 26.22   14 45.8   2.461   3.319   142   16.8      4.7 251.5   2:06 (180, 40)  

* 53P/Van Biesbroeck


It is observable until November when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   1  0.75    0 46.1   2.604   3.494   147   16.9      8.0 233.3   2:08 (180, 54)  
Sept.11   0 57.44    0 11.4   2.592   3.528   154   16.9      9.3 236.5   1:37 (180, 55)  

* C/2004 B1 ( LINEAR )


Appearing at dawn. It will reach to 9 mag in 2006 spring. In this season, it keeps observable until 2005 March when it becomes 15.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   5 59.23   -3 12.0   6.141   5.942    73   17.4      7.1 159.2   4:51 (232, 45)  
Sept.11   6  0.18   -4  0.3   5.976   5.882    79   17.3      7.3 168.0   4:41 (228, 49)  

* P/2004 HC18 ( LINEAR )


Although it was predicted to fade out quickly after the perihelion passage in June, it unexpectedly keeps 16.5-17.0 mag still in late August.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  16 57.37    4 18.8   1.546   1.855    90   17.3     30.0 104.2  19:07 (156, 48)  
Sept.11  17 11.18    3 27.6   1.622   1.880    88   17.5     30.8 103.5  19:12 (149, 47)  

* C/2004 K1 ( Catalina )


It will be brightening gradually after this, and reach to 15 mag in 2005 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  18 23.33   -4  9.4   3.889   4.383   112   17.4     15.6 260.7  19:27 (180, 59)  
Sept.11  18 16.64   -4 27.1   3.974   4.344   104   17.4     13.4 259.2  19:12 (171, 59)  

* C/2003 G1 ( LINEAR )


It will be fading slowly until November when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  18 22.01   42 19.3   6.302   6.573   101   17.5      4.4 189.2  19:26 (180, 13)  
Sept.11  18 21.90   41 48.3   6.378   6.607    98   17.5      4.5 175.7  19:12 (177, 13)  

* C/2003 WT42 ( LINEAR )


It keeps observable in good condition at 17 mag until 2005 spring. It will reach to 16 mag in 2006.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   5 50.56   40 22.2   6.946   6.744    74   17.6      7.4  56.4   4:51 (204,  9)  
Sept.11   5 54.16   40 51.5   6.811   6.713    80   17.5      6.9  52.1   4:41 (201, 10)  

* P/2004 K2 ( McNaught )


It will be fainter than 18 mag in November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   3 17.58    8 22.4   1.076   1.730   112   17.5     14.8 108.3   4:24 (180, 47)  
Sept.11   3 23.24    7 45.6   1.050   1.759   117   17.6     11.5 120.5   4:02 (180, 47)  

* 62P/Tsuchinshan 1


Not yet observed in this return. It will brighten very rapidly after this. It is expected to be visible visually at 11 mag from November to January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   6 19.32   17 53.5   1.916   1.787    67   18.0     38.8  87.7   4:51 (221, 26)  
Sept.11   6 38.55   18  1.0   1.828   1.750    69   17.6     39.6  89.0   4:41 (221, 25)  

* C/2003 S4 ( LINEAR )


It reaches to 17.5 mag in October.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4   3 14.53   23 57.6   3.502   3.947   109   17.7      6.6 144.2   4:21 (180, 31)  
Sept.11   3 16.07   23 17.3   3.419   3.960   115   17.6      6.6 160.3   3:55 (180, 32)  

* C/2003 O1 ( LINEAR )


It keeps around 18 mag for a long time until 2005 summer.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept. 4  16 22.90   39 51.7   7.047   6.939    79   17.7      8.5 205.3  19:07 (161, 12)  
Sept.11  16 21.03   38 58.5   7.119   6.946    76   17.7      7.9 198.8  19:12 (154, 10)  

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