Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2004 Sept. 25: South)

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Updated on September 25, 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 )


Not observable. 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.25  12 50.87   -3  0.3   2.039   1.072    10    6.1     28.3 201.4  19:23 ( 80, -8)  
Oct.  2  12 46.05   -6  4.7   2.039   1.043     4    6.1     28.3 201.4  19:29 ( 72,-14)  

* C/2004 R2 ( ASAS )


New comet. Although it has already become unobservable in the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until late September in the Southern Hemisphere. It passes the perihelion on Oct. 7, when it will disappear. If it survives, it can appear at dusk in late October at 10 mag in the Northern Hemisphere, then it will fade out rapidly.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.25  10 28.42  -19 56.1   0.880   0.516    30    7.8    156.6  77.8   4:20 (285, 13)  
Oct.  2  11 41.70  -14 18.9   0.992   0.289    16    6.8    163.3  66.7   4:09 (289, -1)  

* 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.25   4 49.84  -25 31.1   1.634   2.155   107    9.7     15.8 119.6   4:20 (198, 80)  
Oct.  2   4 56.56  -26 26.5   1.514   2.078   109    9.4     14.5 123.6   4:09 (185, 81)  

* C/2001 Q4 ( NEAT )


It locates visible all night in the northern sky. It keeps observable after this in the Northern Hemisphere.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.25  13 48.23   66 51.4   2.417   2.278    70   10.5     24.4  69.8  19:23 (153,-31)  
Oct.  2  14 17.01   67 47.0   2.441   2.363    73   10.7     25.7  72.3  19:29 (154,-32)  

* C/2004 Q1 ( Tucker )


New comet. It is observable at 11 mag in good condition from October to November. It is well condensed and easy to see.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.25   2 19.38   14 16.8   1.325   2.222   144   11.6     35.8 321.6   2:04 (180, 41)  
Oct.  2   2  7.20   17 40.3   1.251   2.191   153   11.4     40.9 317.1   1:25 (180, 37)  

* 78P/Gehrels 2


Well condensed and easy to see 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.25   3 20.50   18 28.7   1.233   2.026   129   11.7      8.5 106.2   3:04 (180, 36)  
Oct.  2   3 23.79   18  7.6   1.176   2.019   135   11.6      6.3 125.2   2:40 (180, 37)  

* C/2003 T3 ( Tabur )


The fading has been slow and it keeps 13 mag still in December. It is diffused visually. It has a long tail on the CCD image.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.25  10 34.14   44 15.4   3.006   2.480    49   12.3     21.0 117.4   4:20 (231,-23)  
Oct.  2  10 45.67   43 10.6   3.028   2.549    52   12.5     19.2 117.1   4:09 (232,-22)  

* 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.25  11 23.00  -11 13.2   3.648   2.694    15   12.6      9.0 121.7   4:20 (286, -3)  
Oct.  2  11 26.47  -11 46.4   3.715   2.784    18   12.8      8.4 124.6   4:09 (284,  0)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


It is now in outburst. It was 12 mag and stellar on Sept. 17.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.25   0 14.22   11 37.4   4.737   5.725   169   13.1      7.1 251.6  23:55 (180, 43)  
Oct.  2   0 11.01   11 20.7   4.736   5.725   170   13.1      7.2 249.5  23:24 (180, 44)  

* 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.25  12  0.52   67 29.7   3.245   3.023    68   13.9     25.2 102.0   4:20 (208,-40)  
Oct.  2  12 30.84   66 46.3   3.120   2.939    70   13.7     26.7 104.7   4:09 (209,-41)  

* (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.25   2 35.04   22 54.0   1.424   2.271   138   14.3     25.5 332.0   2:20 (180, 32)  
Oct.  2   2 27.77   25 35.7   1.344   2.238   144   14.0     28.7 325.2   1:45 (180, 30)  

* 103P/Hartley 2


Not observed in this return yet. It will appear at dawn soon.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.25  10  7.49    1 25.1   2.739   1.940    30   14.3     30.1 113.6   4:20 (265,  5)  
Oct.  2  10 20.01    0  1.5   2.759   2.002    33   14.5     28.6 114.4   4:09 (265,  7)  

* 88P/Howell


Diffused. It keeps observable in good condition until December 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.25   2 35.95   10 57.0   1.269   2.149   141   14.6     12.1 257.4   2:20 (180, 44)  
Oct.  2   2 29.68   10 36.2   1.269   2.195   150   14.9     14.8 257.2   1:47 (180, 44)  

* 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.25   3 18.97    8 54.8   1.720   2.503   131   15.4      1.9  32.9   3:03 (180, 46)  
Oct.  2   3 18.79    9  5.3   1.623   2.464   138   15.2      2.3 309.0   2:35 (180, 46)  

* 48P/Johnson


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.25  19 54.57  -27 47.3   1.730   2.313   112   15.4     10.7  96.6  19:36 (180, 83)  
Oct.  2  20  0.79  -27 52.3   1.805   2.311   107   15.5     12.9  90.9  19:29 (157, 82)  

* C/2001 HT50 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


It will fade out gradually, and keeps observable brighter than 17 mag until the end of 2004. It is still visible visually at 14 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.25  23 12.93   11 48.5   4.124   5.090   162   15.4     20.5 247.1  22:53 (180, 43)  
Oct.  2  23  4.26   10 52.3   4.206   5.140   156   15.5     19.3 245.4  22:17 (180, 44)  

* 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.25   1 29.60   -2 56.7   2.655   3.610   159   15.6     10.6 249.7   1:14 (180, 58)  
Oct.  2   1 24.74   -3 21.8   2.653   3.630   165   15.6     11.3 252.2   0:42 (180, 58)  

* 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.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.25   8 49.79   21  1.9   3.129   2.652    53   15.9     23.7  94.3   4:20 (237,  8)  
Oct.  2   9  1.44   20 49.5   3.057   2.655    57   15.7     23.1  94.2   4:09 (237,  9)  

* 49P/Arend-Rigaux


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.25   1 19.09  -24 32.3   1.193   2.118   149   16.1     17.6 206.5   1:04 (180, 79)  
Oct.  2   1 14.47  -26 18.0   1.148   2.069   148   16.0     17.5 214.7   0:32 (180, 81)  

* 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.25  23 38.64    0 33.8   1.677   2.674   172   16.0     10.2 266.7  23:19 (180, 54)  
Oct.  2  23 34.05    0 30.0   1.679   2.658   164   16.0      9.4 267.1  22:47 (180, 54)  

* 62P/Tsuchinshan 1


It was observed a bit fainter than this ephemeris. 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.25   7 18.26   17 57.6   1.660   1.680    73   16.9     41.3  91.4   4:20 (223, 25)  
Oct.  2   7 38.68   17 46.7   1.581   1.648    75   16.5     42.1  92.6   4:09 (224, 24)  

* 119P/Parker-Hartley


It is observable at 16.5 mag in good condition until January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.25   1 20.36   14 12.2   2.342   3.292   157   16.6      8.2 246.6   1:05 (180, 41)  
Oct.  2   1 16.50   13 46.8   2.301   3.279   165   16.5      9.4 244.9   0:34 (180, 41)  

* C/2003 WT42 ( LINEAR )


It keeps observable in good condition at 16 mag until 2005 spring. It will reach to 15 mag in 2006.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.25   5 59.97   41 53.5   6.538   6.651    92   16.7      6.0  39.9   4:20 (196, 11)  
Oct.  2   6  2.10   42 26.1   6.403   6.620    98   16.7      5.6  31.7   4:09 (193, 11)  

* C/2004 B1 ( LINEAR )


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.25   6  0.53   -5 47.4   5.642   5.762    91   17.1      8.2 186.0   4:20 (218, 55)  
Oct.  2   5 59.82   -6 45.8   5.477   5.701    97   17.0      8.8 194.4   4:09 (212, 58)  

* 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.25   0 49.39   -1  1.6   2.606   3.596   169   17.0     10.6 240.7   0:34 (180, 56)  
Oct.  2   0 45.03   -1 37.0   2.634   3.631   174   17.1     10.6 242.3   0:02 (180, 57)  

* 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.25   3 16.64   21 39.1   3.272   3.987   129   17.6      7.9 187.8   3:01 (180, 33)  
Oct.  2   3 15.71   20 41.3   3.212   4.002   136   17.6      9.0 196.8   2:32 (180, 34)  

* 129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3


It is observable at 16.5 mag in good condition from November to February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.25   5 54.89   27 48.3   2.848   3.074    93   17.7     11.1  86.3   4:20 (199, 25)  
Oct.  2   6  0.34   27 52.9   2.741   3.061    98   17.6      9.5  86.2   4:09 (196, 25)  

* 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.25  18 23.60   40 43.8   6.537   6.674    93   17.6      5.2 152.5  19:23 (165, 12)  
Oct.  2  18 25.37   40 11.9   6.619   6.708    90   17.7      5.6 143.1  19:29 (159, 11)  

* 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.25   3 28.34    6 11.2   1.009   1.822   129   17.6      7.5 172.6   3:12 (180, 49)  
Oct.  2   3 27.78    5 17.3   0.997   1.855   136   17.7      8.5 203.1   2:44 (180, 50)  

* C/2003 L2 ( LINEAR )


It keeps observable at 18 mag in good condition until January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.25   7 19.61   23 21.5   3.919   3.768    73   17.7      9.9 165.4   4:20 (220, 20)  
Oct.  2   7 20.45   22 14.0   3.845   3.810    80   17.7      9.7 175.2   4:09 (217, 23)  

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