Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2004 Nov. 20: North)

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Updated on November 20, 2004
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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/2004 Q2 ( Machholz )


It reached to 6.5 mag in mid November. 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)  
Nov. 20   5  6.33  -29 41.2   0.765   1.570   126    6.5     13.1 308.0   1:10 (  0, 25)  
Nov. 27   4 59.52  -28 15.6   0.673   1.506   129    6.1     22.8 317.8   0:36 (  0, 27)  

* C/2003 K4 ( LINEAR )


It is fainter than expected, about 7 mag. The pictures show that the dust emission has stopped. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a while after this. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is visible in the morning low sky until early December, but becomes unobservable soon, then keeps unobservable until January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20  11 54.54  -32 55.9   1.516   1.199    52    7.2     53.2 209.3   5:11 (325, 12)  
Nov. 27  11 37.11  -38 41.2   1.405   1.262    60    7.2     62.9 213.5   5:17 (337, 12)  

* 78P/Gehrels 2


It became brighter than expected in November, and reached to 10 mag. It is observable in good condition as bright as 10-11 mag until January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   3 11.46   12 54.6   1.038   2.018   169   10.3      9.6 228.3  23:11 (  0, 68)  
Nov. 27   3  8.35   12 13.4   1.062   2.024   162   10.4      7.8 227.0  22:41 (  0, 67)  

* C/2004 Q1 ( Tucker )


It brightened rapidly and reached to 10 mag. It keeps high in the evening sky and bright as around 11 mag until December. It will be fading after January, however, it keeps high in the evening sky for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   0  0.26   37 37.7   1.288   2.057   128   10.4     27.5 299.0  20:00 (180, 87)  
Nov. 27  23 47.66   39  3.1   1.356   2.050   121   10.5     21.5 301.7  19:20 (180, 86)  

* 62P/Tsuchinshan 1


It is brightening, 13 mag in mid November, but a bit fainter than this ephemeris. Very diffused visually. It will be visible visually at 11 mag from December to January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20  10  6.09   14 24.3   1.140   1.502    89   12.0     43.2  96.6   5:11 (324, 66)  
Nov. 27  10 26.56   13 50.0   1.092   1.494    91   11.6     42.3  96.3   5:17 (332, 67)  

* C/2003 T4 ( LINEAR )


The brightening evolution has been slower than usual. But finally it comes to be visible visually. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until 2005 spring when it reaches to 8 mag. Now it locates at the same altitude both in the evening and morning.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20  15 56.52   55 33.7   2.380   2.334    75   12.5     37.8 122.4  18:19 (141, 25)  
Nov. 27  16 22.11   53  4.5   2.302   2.245    74   12.3     39.0 124.1  18:18 (139, 24)  

* C/2001 Q4 ( NEAT )


It was 11-12.5 mag in mid November, but diffused. It keeps observable for a long time after this in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also visible at midnight or dawn, but low.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20  18 40.90   68 27.0   2.712   2.948    93   12.7     30.4 104.3  18:19 (155, 45)  
Nov. 27  19 16.76   67 25.4   2.781   3.029    94   12.9     29.9 108.3  18:18 (154, 47)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


No remarkable outburst has not occured recently, however, it continues to be visible at 12-13 mag still in November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20  23 55.94    9 21.8   5.111   5.727   124   13.2      2.0 216.5  19:56 (  0, 64)  
Nov. 27  23 55.66    9 12.2   5.207   5.727   117   13.3      1.2 180.3  19:29 (  0, 64)  

* 32P/Comas Sola


It is already visible visually at 13 mag. It keeps observable at 12-13 mag in the evening sky until May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   2 44.33   10 56.2   1.242   2.207   163   13.5     14.9 286.4  22:44 (  0, 66)  
Nov. 27   2 37.86   11 28.6   1.237   2.173   155   13.3     13.7 291.7  22:10 (  0, 67)  

* C/2002 T7 ( LINEAR )


It was observed as 13.7 mag on Oct. 16, as bright as expected. It will be getting fainter gradually until 2005 June when it becomes 17 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20  11 38.39  -15 35.2   3.809   3.392    58   13.7      4.2 191.1   5:11 (318, 28)  
Nov. 27  11 37.61  -16  2.6   3.779   3.475    64   13.8      4.4 213.0   5:17 (327, 32)  

* (944) Hidalgo


It will be fading slowly until 2005 August when it becomes low in the evening sky at 16.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   0 47.83   41 16.6   1.210   2.048   137   13.7     24.1 295.0  20:47 (180, 84)  
Nov. 27   0 35.51   42 20.1   1.245   2.028   130   13.9     19.2 295.2  20:08 (180, 83)  

* 10P/Tempel 2


The condition of this return is bad. It is not observable around the perihelion passage. It will appear at dawn in 2005 July at 14.5 mag, then it will be fading after that.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20  16 39.85  -17 11.3   2.625   1.682    13   14.5     41.0 103.1  18:19 ( 73, -5)  
Nov. 27  16 59.78  -18 12.6   2.602   1.647    11   14.1     42.2 101.3  18:18 ( 73, -7)  

* P/2004 T1 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


It was visible visually around 13.5 mag in October. It will be fading after this, but it keeps observable until it becomes fainter than 18 mag in 2005 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   0 43.11   -1 59.8   0.895   1.713   130   14.3     18.9  19.0  20:44 (  0, 53)  
Nov. 27   0 46.84    0  6.8   0.945   1.719   125   14.4     20.7  28.2  20:20 (  0, 55)  

* C/2003 T3 ( Tabur )


Diffused, but still bright as 14 mag. It keeps observable until 2005 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)  
Nov. 20  11 36.68   39 13.5   3.007   3.036    82   14.4      6.0  96.3   5:11 (251, 60)  
Nov. 27  11 39.73   39 13.0   2.986   3.106    87   14.6      4.1  82.8   5:17 (251, 66)  

* 162P/2004 TU12 ( Siding Spring )


New comet. Almost stellar. It is moving towards north rapidly, and the condition in the Northern Hemisphere is getting better. It is brightest now.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20  23  0.13    0 16.3   0.490   1.233   108   14.5     75.9  14.1  19:01 (  0, 56)  
Nov. 27  23  9.62    8 22.7   0.529   1.244   106   14.6     68.8  18.5  18:43 (  0, 64)  

* 121P/Shoemaker-Holt 2


It tends to become brightest after the perihelion passage. It was 16.5 mag in mid November, fainter than expected by about 1-1.5 mag. If it brightens as expected, 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)  
Nov. 20  10 10.44   20 26.9   2.493   2.692    90   15.0     15.7  83.4   5:11 (313, 70)  
Nov. 27  10 17.82   20 42.7   2.411   2.700    96   14.9     14.2  78.8   5:17 (328, 74)  

* C/2003 WT42 ( LINEAR )


It has been brightening more rapidly than expected, and already reached to 15.5 mag. It may be reach to 13 mag in 2006.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   5 59.15   46 22.1   5.605   6.408   141   15.4      5.9 316.9   2:03 (180, 79)  
Nov. 27   5 56.12   46 51.1   5.530   6.378   146   15.3      6.2 309.4   1:32 (180, 78)  

* (3200) Phaethon


It keeps observable at 15.5 mag until mid February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   4 49.59   39 26.6   0.824   1.772   155   15.9     44.2 267.7   0:55 (180, 86)  
Nov. 27   4 19.58   38 47.7   0.742   1.708   162   15.5     56.1 260.5  23:49 (180, 86)  

* 88P/Howell


Diffused, but still bright as 14 mag. 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)  
Nov. 20   1 41.32    8 11.2   1.618   2.514   148   15.6      8.1 265.3  21:41 (  0, 63)  
Nov. 27   1 38.21    8 10.0   1.718   2.558   140   15.9      5.1 273.5  21:11 (  0, 63)  

* 69P/Taylor


It will be observable in good conditon at 15.5 mag in winter. In its last return in 1997, it burst out after the perihelion passage and became extremely bright, reached to 11 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   8 40.88   13 39.7   1.385   1.944   108   15.9     19.5  70.6   4:44 (  0, 69)  
Nov. 27   8 49.16   14 31.3   1.316   1.942   114   15.7     18.1  62.5   4:24 (  0, 69)  

* C/2004 B1 ( LINEAR )


It will reach to 9 mag in 2006 spring. 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)  
Nov. 20   5 34.14  -14 15.7   4.517   5.276   136   16.0     15.7 236.5   1:38 (  0, 41)  
Nov. 27   5 27.52  -15 14.1   4.427   5.214   139   15.9     16.4 240.8   1:04 (  0, 40)  

* 103P/Hartley 2


It was observed as 16.5 mag on Oct. 6, fainter than this ephemeris by 1.5 mag. 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)  
Nov. 20  11 27.59   -8 33.3   2.718   2.426    62   15.9     17.4 120.8   5:11 (316, 35)  
Nov. 27  11 34.22   -9 33.5   2.688   2.484    67   16.1     15.5 122.3   5:17 (324, 38)  

* 65P/Gunn


It will be as faint as 17.5 mag in 2005 March when it becomes low in the evening western sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   0 54.90   -4 19.5   3.031   3.767   132   16.1      4.9 289.7  20:55 (  0, 51)  
Nov. 27   0 53.16   -4  5.1   3.132   3.786   125   16.2      3.7 310.9  20:26 (  0, 51)  

* 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)  
Nov. 20  23 27.04    1 43.1   1.992   2.571   115   16.1      7.8  57.7  19:28 (  0, 57)  
Nov. 27  23 30.68    2 15.1   2.065   2.563   109   16.2     10.2  61.0  19:04 (  0, 57)  

* C/2001 HT50 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


It will be too low in the evening sky at 17.5 mag in early February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20  22 26.74    5 29.0   5.202   5.496   102   16.3      6.6 229.1  18:27 (  0, 60)  
Nov. 27  22 24.76    5  1.1   5.378   5.547    94   16.4      5.0 223.7  18:18 ( 10, 60)  

* 129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3


It is observable at 16.5 mag in good condition until February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   6  8.18   28 13.3   2.106   2.976   145   16.8      6.0 270.4   2:12 (  0, 83)  
Nov. 27   6  4.45   28 12.6   2.048   2.965   153   16.7      8.1 268.3   1:41 (  0, 83)  

* 119P/Parker-Hartley


It is observable at 17 mag in good condition until January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   0 51.90   10  0.9   2.395   3.196   137   17.0      4.4 218.8  20:52 (  0, 65)  
Nov. 27   0 51.09    9 40.0   2.456   3.185   130   17.0      2.6 194.5  20:24 (  0, 65)  

* C/2004 U1 ( LINEAR )


It will be 17 mag at best in December and January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   8 37.15   32 31.9   2.113   2.671   113   17.4     36.1 329.9   4:41 (  0, 87)  
Nov. 27   8 25.09   36 22.8   1.992   2.667   123   17.3     42.5 324.9   4:01 (180, 89)  

* 160P/2004 NL21 ( LINEAR )


It is fading more rapidly than this ephemeris, and already became fainter than 18 mag in early November.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20  22 33.08    3 42.7   1.649   2.106   103   17.3     18.5  58.8  18:34 (  0, 59)  
Nov. 27  22 40.94    4 50.7   1.732   2.115    98   17.4     20.3  60.9  18:18 (  2, 60)  

* 53P/Van Biesbroeck


The fading pace after tha perihelion passage has been a bit slower than brightening pace before the perihelion passage. It still keeps 17.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   0 25.03   -3 41.3   3.205   3.871   126   17.4      1.1 288.0  20:25 (  0, 51)  
Nov. 27   0 24.94   -3 36.1   3.329   3.905   119   17.5      1.3  29.2  19:58 (  0, 51)  

* 9P/Tempel 1


It was 17.8 mag on Oct. 21, brighening well as expected. We can observe it in good condition while it is brightening, then the comet will reach to 9 mag in next spring and summer. It may become a naked-eye object due to the Deep Impact mission on July 4.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20  11 35.17   13 11.2   2.696   2.520    69   17.7     22.9 106.1   5:11 (294, 50)  
Nov. 27  11 45.64   12 27.7   2.571   2.480    73   17.4     22.6 105.5   5:17 (301, 54)  

* 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)  
Nov. 20   6 59.91   13 56.0   3.388   4.122   132   17.6     16.6 231.2   3:03 (  0, 69)  
Nov. 27   6 53.31   12 43.4   3.357   4.168   140   17.6     17.8 234.7   2:29 (  0, 68)  

* C/2004 D1 ( NEAT )


It will reach to 16.7 mag at best in early 2006. Because it moves in the northern sky, it keeps observable for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 20   5 38.77   44 52.2   5.185   6.023   145   18.0      8.2 315.0   1:43 (180, 80)  
Nov. 27   5 34.68   45 31.1   5.117   5.994   150   17.9      8.4 309.1   1:11 (180, 80)  

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