Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2004 Oct. 2: South)

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 Updated on October 2, 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/2004 R2 ( ASAS )
Not observable. 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)  
Oct.  2  11 41.73  -14 18.8   0.991   0.288    16    6.8    163.3  66.7   4:09 (289, -1)  
Oct.  9  13  8.08   -2 55.7   1.100   0.126     4    5.4    240.4  64.5  19:36 ( 74,-18)

* 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)  
Oct.  2  12 46.05   -6  4.7   2.039   1.043     4    6.1     28.3 201.4  19:29 ( 72,-14)  
Oct.  9  12 41.13   -9 11.1   2.017   1.027     5    6.0     29.0 201.5   3:59 (291,-13)

* C/2004 Q2 ( Machholz )
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)  
Oct.  2   4 56.56  -26 26.4   1.514   2.078   109    9.4     14.5 123.6   4:09 (185, 81)  
Oct.  9   5  2.38  -27 22.7   1.397   2.002   112    9.1     12.9 128.4   3:51 (180, 82)

* 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)  
Oct.  2  14 17.01   67 47.0   2.441   2.363    73   10.7     25.7  72.3  19:29 (154,-32)  
Oct.  9  14 48.92   68 36.5   2.466   2.448    77   10.8     27.0  75.6  19:36 (155,-32)

* C/2004 Q1 ( Tucker )
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)  
Oct.  2   2  7.20   17 40.2   1.252   2.191   153   11.4     40.9 317.1   1:25 (180, 37)  
Oct.  9   1 52.10   21 13.7   1.197   2.163   160   11.2     45.1 313.2   0:42 (180, 34)

* 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)  
Oct.  2   3 23.79   18  7.6   1.176   2.019   135   11.6      6.3 125.2   2:40 (180, 37)  
Oct.  9   3 25.53   17 37.9   1.127   2.014   142   11.4      5.2 157.9   2:15 (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)  
Oct.  2  10 45.67   43 10.6   3.028   2.549    52   12.5     19.2 117.1   4:09 (232,-22)  
Oct.  9  10 56.06   42 12.6   3.042   2.618    55   12.6     17.5 116.3   3:59 (232,-20)

* 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)  
Oct.  2  11 26.47  -11 46.4   3.715   2.784    18   12.8      8.4 124.6   4:09 (284,  0)  
Oct.  9  11 29.60  -12 20.2   3.768   2.874    22   13.0      7.8 128.2   3:59 (283,  3)

* 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)  
Oct.  2   0 11.01   11 20.7   4.736   5.725   170   13.1      7.2 249.5  23:24 (180, 44)  
Oct.  9   0  7.87   11  2.5   4.749   5.725   166   13.1      7.0 247.4  22:53 (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)  
Oct.  2  12 30.84   66 46.3   3.120   2.939    70   13.7     26.7 104.7   4:09 (209,-41)  
Oct.  9  13  1.51   65 51.2   2.998   2.855    72   13.6     28.3 107.5  19:36 (150,-42)

* (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)  
Oct.  2   2 27.77   25 35.7   1.344   2.238   144   14.0     28.7 325.2   1:45 (180, 30)  
Oct.  9   2 18.00   28 22.5   1.278   2.206   151   13.8     31.7 319.1   1:08 (180, 27)

* 103P/Hartley 2
Not observed in this return yet. It is appearing at dawn, probably brighter than 15 mag still now. After this, it keeps observable while it will be fading gradually until it becomes fainter than 18 mag in 2005 April. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  2  10 20.01    0  1.5   2.759   2.002    33   14.5     28.6 114.4   4:09 (265,  7)  
Oct.  9  10 31.81   -1 20.1   2.773   2.065    37   14.8     27.1 115.2   3:59 (266,  9)

* 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)  
Oct.  2   2 29.68   10 36.2   1.269   2.195   150   14.9     14.8 257.2   1:47 (180, 44)  
Oct.  9   2 22.34   10 11.6   1.280   2.242   158   15.2     16.8 257.2   1:12 (180, 45)

* 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)  
Oct.  2   3 18.79    9  5.3   1.623   2.464   138   15.2      2.3 309.0   2:35 (180, 46)  
Oct.  9   3 17.25    9 15.4   1.535   2.426   145   14.9      5.0 286.8   2:06 (180, 46)

* 48P/Johnson
In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps to be locating only around 30 deg high. It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in February. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  2  20  0.79  -27 52.3   1.805   2.311   107   15.5     12.9  90.9  19:29 (157, 82)  
Oct.  9  20  8.20  -27 50.0   1.883   2.310   102   15.6     15.1  86.9  19:36 (127, 79)

* 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)  
Oct.  2  23  4.26   10 52.3   4.206   5.140   156   15.5     19.3 245.4  22:17 (180, 44)  
Oct.  9  22 56.29    9 56.4   4.306   5.191   149   15.6     17.8 243.7  21:42 (180, 45)

* 121P/Shoemaker-Holt 2
It tends to become brightest after the perihelion passage. It was 17 mag on Sept. 18. 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)  
Oct.  2   9  1.44   20 49.5   3.057   2.655    57   15.7     23.1  94.2   4:09 (237,  9)  
Oct.  9   9 12.74   20 37.9   2.982   2.658    61   15.6     22.3  94.0   3:59 (236, 10)

* 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)  
Oct.  2   1 24.74   -3 21.8   2.653   3.630   165   15.6     11.3 252.2   0:42 (180, 58)  
Oct.  9   1 19.62   -3 44.6   2.665   3.650   168   15.7     11.5 254.7   0:09 (180, 59)

* 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)  
Oct.  2   1 14.47  -26 18.0   1.148   2.069   148   16.0     17.5 214.7   0:32 (180, 81)  
Oct.  9   1  8.83  -27 51.2   1.114   2.020   145   15.8     16.6 223.2  23:54 (180, 83)

* 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)  
Oct.  2  23 34.05    0 30.0   1.679   2.658   164   16.0      9.4 267.1  22:47 (180, 54)  
Oct.  9  23 29.97    0 27.7   1.694   2.643   157   16.0      8.0 268.8  22:15 (180, 55)

* 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)  
Oct.  2   7 38.68   17 46.7   1.581   1.648    75   16.5     42.1  92.6   4:09 (224, 24)  
Oct.  9   7 59.43   17 29.9   1.506   1.619    77   16.2     42.8  93.6   3:59 (225, 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)  
Oct.  2   1 16.50   13 46.8   2.301   3.279   165   16.5      9.4 244.9   0:34 (180, 41)  
Oct.  9   1 12.27   13 16.7   2.274   3.266   172   16.5     10.2 243.2   0:02 (180, 42)

* 160P/2004 NL21 ( LINEAR )
New periodic comet. It will fade out after this, and become fainter than 18 mag at the end of 2004. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  2  22 13.48   -3 28.4   1.188   2.085   144   16.6     10.2 326.4  21:27 (180, 58)  
Oct.  9  22 11.66   -2 29.2   1.235   2.083   137   16.6      8.7 346.0  20:58 (180, 57)

* 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)  
Oct.  2   6  2.10   42 26.1   6.403   6.620    98   16.7      5.6  31.7   4:09 (193, 11)  
Oct.  9   6  3.65   42 59.6   6.270   6.589   104   16.6      5.2  21.9   3:59 (190, 11)

* C/2004 B1 ( LINEAR )
It will reach to 9 mag in 2006 spring. It was 16.6 mag on Sept. 14, so it has been brightening well as expected. 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)  
Oct.  2   5 59.73   -6 45.6   5.480   5.705    97   17.0      8.8 194.5   4:09 (212, 58)  
Oct.  9   5 58.35   -7 46.9   5.318   5.644   104   16.8      9.7 202.3   3:59 (205, 61)

* 53P/Van Biesbroeck
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)  
Oct.  2   0 45.03   -1 37.0   2.634   3.631   174   17.1     10.6 242.3   0:02 (180, 57)  
Oct.  9   0 40.73   -2  9.9   2.676   3.665   170   17.2     10.1 243.8  23:26 (180, 57)

* 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)  
Oct.  2   6  0.34   27 52.9   2.741   3.061    98   17.6      9.5  86.2   4:09 (196, 25)  
Oct.  9   6  4.88   27 57.0   2.635   3.048   104   17.5      7.7  85.9   3:59 (193, 26)

* C/2003 S4 ( LINEAR )
It is expected to be brightest now. But actually, it was reported so faint as 20 mag. Maybe the nucleus has been splitted. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  2   3 15.71   20 41.3   3.212   4.002   136   17.6      9.0 196.8   2:32 (180, 34)  
Oct.  9   3 14.06   19 38.3   3.162   4.018   144   17.5     10.2 203.3   2:03 (180, 35)

* C/2003 G1 ( LINEAR )
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)  
Oct.  2  18 25.37   40 11.9   6.619   6.708    90   17.7      5.6 143.1  19:29 (159, 11)  
Oct.  9  18 27.71   39 41.2   6.701   6.742    88   17.7      6.1 134.8  19:36 (153,  8)

* 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)  
Oct.  2   3 27.78    5 17.3   0.997   1.855   136   17.7      8.5 203.1   2:44 (180, 50)  
Oct.  9   3 25.26    4 22.2   0.991   1.890   143   17.7     10.7 223.1   2:14 (180, 51)

* 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)  
Oct.  2   7 20.45   22 14.0   3.845   3.810    80   17.7      9.7 175.2   4:09 (217, 23)  
Oct.  9   7 20.42   21  5.6   3.770   3.854    87   17.7      9.9 185.7   3:59 (214, 26)

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