Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2004 Dec. 18: South)

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Updated on December 20, 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 Q2 ( Machholz )


Already visible easily with a naked eye at 4.5 mag. It will reach to 4 mag locating high in the evening sky from mid December to the end of 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)  
Dec. 18   4 23.81  -14 13.1   0.439   1.341   137    4.5     78.4 336.3  22:32 (180, 69)  
Dec. 25   4  8.00   -4 13.0   0.386   1.298   138    4.1    105.7 340.7  21:49 (180, 58)  

* C/2004 V13 ( SWAN )


New comet. It must have located in the very low sky at dawn in October and November. Now it is passing through the field of SOHO/LASCO. If it survives the perihelion passage, it will appear in the evening sky in late December, then it will be observable while fading.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18  17 29.38  -19  7.8   1.176   0.218     5    5.9    197.1  83.3   2:54 (311,-19)  
Dec. 25  19  9.84  -19  3.7   1.007   0.234    13    5.6    190.3  98.2  21:02 ( 56,-12)  

* C/2003 K4 ( LINEAR )


In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until April when it reaches to 13 mag. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear at dusk in mid January at 9 mag, then it will keep observable until the end of March in the evening sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18   9 28.42  -57 38.3   1.167   1.480    86    7.3     96.8 243.8   2:54 (343, 66)  
Dec. 25   8  0.45  -60 33.8   1.153   1.559    93    7.5    100.9 264.9   1:50 (  0, 64)  

* 78P/Gehrels 2


It will be fading gradually after this, but it keeps 11 mag until the end of January. It will be visible visually until May when it becomes too low in the evening sky.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18   3  5.48   11  7.4   1.197   2.053   140   10.7      2.3 112.7  21:16 (180, 44)  
Dec. 25   3  7.22   11  6.1   1.260   2.066   133   10.9      5.2  84.4  21:02 (176, 44)  

* C/2004 Q1 ( Tucker )


It will be fading gradually after this, but it keeps 11 mag until mid January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until July when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18  23 28.41   42 34.6   1.594   2.051   102   10.9     10.4 340.7  20:58 (146,  0)  
Dec. 25  23 27.44   43 45.1   1.678   2.058    97   11.0     10.3   1.7  21:02 (142, -5)  

* 62P/Tsuchinshan 1


Very diffused and widely spreading visually. It keeps bright at 11 mag untill January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18  11 24.03   12 32.8   0.973   1.493    99   11.2     37.2  93.3   2:54 (227, 29)  
Dec. 25  11 41.18   12 21.9   0.939   1.500   102   11.2     34.6  91.4   2:57 (224, 31)  

* C/2003 T4 ( LINEAR )


In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until 2005 spring when it reaches to 8 mag. It will be unobservable in the evening sky soon. The altitude in the morning will be constant until late February, and it will not be higher.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18  17 31.22   44 46.0   2.114   1.973    68   11.7     40.8 127.5   2:54 (240,-53)  
Dec. 25  17 51.82   41 49.8   2.064   1.881    65   11.5     40.8 128.2   2:57 (244,-51)  

* 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)  
Dec. 18  18  4.22  -20 24.6   2.530   1.553     5   13.1     45.5  95.3  20:58 ( 48,-17)  
Dec. 25  18 27.09  -20 47.8   2.506   1.526     3   12.7     46.5  93.2  21:02 ( 46,-18)  

* 32P/Comas Sola


It is a bit brighter visually than this ephemeris, around 12.5 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)  
Dec. 18   2 25.42   13 44.0   1.286   2.079   132   13.0      8.6 335.1  20:58 (173, 41)  
Dec. 25   2 24.59   14 42.0   1.319   2.049   125   12.9      8.7   1.1  21:02 (163, 39)  

* C/2001 Q4 ( NEAT )


Completely diffused visually. 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)  
Dec. 18  20 46.34   63 32.6   3.050   3.269    93   13.1     27.1 115.1  20:58 (149,-31)  
Dec. 25  21 10.70   62 11.9   3.158   3.348    92   13.3     25.8 115.7  21:02 (147,-31)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


Although it was faint at 13 mag in early December, it brightened to 11 mag again in mid December.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18  23 58.11    9  2.8   5.529   5.729    96   13.4      3.4  85.2  20:58 (129, 30)  
Dec. 25  23 59.97    9  6.5   5.641   5.729    90   13.4      4.5  80.1  21:02 (123, 25)  

* C/2004 U1 ( LINEAR )


It bursted out in late November and reached to 13.5 mag. Now it is visible visually.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18   7 15.24   49  7.4   1.771   2.661   148   13.7     57.7 305.7   1:30 (180,  6)  
Dec. 25   6 38.28   52 35.5   1.765   2.665   150   13.7     58.0 296.7   0:26 (180,  3)  

* C/2002 T7 ( LINEAR )


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)  
Dec. 18  11 30.08  -17  4.5   3.651   3.721    86   14.0      8.3 256.2   2:54 (256, 48)  
Dec. 25  11 25.65  -17 15.5   3.604   3.801    94   14.1     10.2 263.6   2:57 (248, 55)  

* (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)  
Dec. 18   0 16.08   44 43.8   1.394   1.981   111   14.2      7.2 335.3  20:58 (154,  3)  
Dec. 25   0 15.50   45 31.5   1.450   1.970   106   14.3      7.2   9.4  21:02 (150, -1)  

* 121P/Shoemaker-Holt 2


It tends to become brightest after the perihelion passage. It was 16 mag in mid December, fainter than expected by about 1-1.5 mag. If it brightens as expected, it will reach to 14 mag in February at the opposition.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18  10 34.56   22 15.7   2.178   2.728   113   14.6     10.1  52.3   2:54 (210, 27)  
Dec. 25  10 38.03   23  3.2   2.109   2.738   120   14.5      9.3  37.7   2:57 (203, 29)  

* C/2003 T3 ( Tabur )


Diffused, and fading rapidly. It was around 16 mag in mid December, fainter than this ephemeris by 1 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18  11 41.40   39 57.6   2.918   3.315   105   14.9      4.3 325.8   2:54 (213,  4)  
Dec. 25  11 39.22   40 24.7   2.898   3.385   111   15.0      6.3 311.6   2:57 (207,  7)  

* 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)  
Dec. 18   5 44.50   47 58.0   5.384   6.292   155   15.1      6.5 290.9  23:54 (180,  7)  
Dec. 25   5 40.24   48 12.0   5.363   6.264   154   15.1      6.3 285.6  23:22 (180,  7)  

* 49P/Arend-Rigaux


It keeps 15-16 mag in the evening sky until May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18   0 55.39  -21 56.5   1.120   1.571    96   15.3     24.8  36.5  20:58 (111, 62)  
Dec. 25   1  3.67  -19 30.0   1.131   1.535    92   15.3     28.6  40.1  21:02 (109, 56)  

* 162P/2004 TU12 ( Siding Spring )


Almost stellar. It keeps observable in good condition until April when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18  23 47.76   26 56.4   0.691   1.307   101   15.3     51.0  34.2  20:58 (140, 15)  
Dec. 25   0  3.57   31 30.0   0.756   1.337    99   15.5     47.2  39.7  21:02 (140,  9)  

* (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)  
Dec. 18   2 30.42   29 52.0   0.616   1.492   136   15.3     74.2 238.2  20:58 (175, 25)  
Dec. 25   1 59.44   25  2.4   0.614   1.410   122   15.5     68.9 232.2  21:02 (159, 27)  

* 69P/Taylor


It will be observable in good conditon at 15.5 mag until late January. In its last return in 1997, it burst out after the perihelion passage and became extremely bright, reached to 11 mag. However, it is faint in this return.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18   9  6.35   18 35.1   1.140   1.947   132   15.5     16.7  25.4   2:54 (187, 36)  
Dec. 25   9  9.08   20 28.5   1.096   1.953   139   15.4     17.7  12.5   2:54 (180, 35)  

* 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 March when it becomes 15.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18   5  4.92  -17 32.2   4.252   5.027   137   15.7     16.8 252.9  23:14 (180, 73)  
Dec. 25   4 57.05  -18  2.5   4.226   4.964   134   15.6     16.4 256.9  22:39 (180, 73)  

* P/2004 T1 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


It was visible visually around 13.5 mag in October, but became faint rapidly in November. It keeps observable until it becomes fainter than 18 mag in March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18   1  7.12    6 28.8   1.130   1.750   111   15.8     25.8  46.1  20:58 (145, 42)  
Dec. 25   1 16.42    8 32.8   1.201   1.765   107   16.1     27.2  50.0  21:02 (141, 38)  

* 9P/Tempel 1


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)  
Dec. 18  12 16.14   10 33.7   2.194   2.357    86   16.5     21.3 102.6   2:54 (239, 22)  
Dec. 25  12 25.85   10  3.2   2.070   2.315    91   16.2     20.6 101.3   2:57 (235, 26)  

* C/2004 RG113 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It will be observable in good condition at 16 mag from January to March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18   7 54.58   58 36.3   1.318   2.151   137   16.4      9.3  15.6   2:08 (180, -4)  
Dec. 25   7 55.88   59 32.7   1.268   2.116   139   16.3      7.1   3.2   1:42 (180, -4)  

* 56P/Slaughter-Burnham


It will be getting fainter and lower until March, when it becomes 17.5 mag and too low.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18  23 47.63    4 23.0   2.303   2.544    92   16.4     16.6  64.5  20:58 (124, 32)  
Dec. 25  23 55.01    5 15.1   2.386   2.540    87   16.5     18.3  64.9  21:02 (119, 27)  

* 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)  
Dec. 18   5 48.27   27 54.8   1.952   2.933   175   16.5     11.5 262.6   0:02 (180, 27)  
Dec. 25   5 42.25   27 42.8   1.947   2.924   171   16.5     11.4 260.4  23:24 (180, 27)  

* 65P/Gunn


It will be as faint as 17.5 mag in 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)  
Dec. 18   0 52.97   -2 52.0   3.475   3.842   104   16.5      5.1  29.3  20:58 (134, 48)  
Dec. 25   0 54.50   -2 19.2   3.597   3.861    98   16.6      6.4  39.6  21:02 (126, 43)  

* P/2004 X1 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It must have been observable at 15-16 mag in the evening sky since November. It will fade out rapidly after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in early January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18  23 23.45    6 43.5   0.470   1.075    87   16.7    128.8  63.2  20:58 (122, 27)  
Dec. 25   0 14.96   12 50.0   0.514   1.149    95   17.2    111.6  65.3  21:02 (130, 25)  

* 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)  
Dec. 18  22 22.72    4  6.5   5.906   5.699    73   16.8      1.7 168.0  20:58 (108, 17)  
Dec. 25  22 23.11    3 57.3   6.075   5.750    66   16.9      1.7 128.0  21:02 (103, 11)  

* 88P/Howell


Diffused, and fading rapidly. It will be fainter than 18 mag in January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18   1 36.91    8 45.2   2.067   2.689   119   16.9      4.2  45.6  20:58 (156, 43)  
Dec. 25   1 38.86    9  8.2   2.197   2.732   112   17.3      6.4  55.3  21:02 (147, 40)  

* 163P/2004 V4 ( NEAT )


New comet. Although the condition is good, it will be fainter than 18 mag in late February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18   3 53.80    7 27.5   1.046   1.957   149   17.0     12.9 324.7  22:03 (180, 47)  
Dec. 25   3 51.03    8 45.3   1.071   1.946   142   17.0     12.4 340.1  21:33 (180, 46)  

* 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)  
Dec. 18   0 54.62    9 14.7   2.683   3.155   109   17.1      5.6  88.1  20:58 (143, 38)  
Dec. 25   0 57.72    9 19.0   2.769   3.146   103   17.2      7.6  82.0  21:02 (136, 34)  

* P/2004 WR9 ( LINEAR )


New comet. Although the condition is good, it 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)  
Dec. 18   5 23.01   31 56.7   0.956   1.933   170   17.3      6.0 291.3  23:32 (180, 23)  
Dec. 25   5 20.16   32  8.6   0.959   1.925   165   17.3      4.7 284.7  23:02 (180, 23)  

* P/2004 VR8 ( LONEOS )


It keeps 17.5 mag and locating high until February.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18   3 29.76   15  2.4   2.204   3.078   147   17.3     10.8 291.7  21:39 (180, 40)  
Dec. 25   3 25.38   15 32.0   2.233   3.047   139   17.3      9.2 299.2  21:08 (180, 39)  

* P/2004 V5 ( LINEAR-Hill )


New comet. It is observable in good condition at 17.5 mag until March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18   9 46.20   37 18.3   3.768   4.429   126   17.6      4.9   3.0   2:54 (193, 16)  
Dec. 25   9 45.90   37 53.4   3.695   4.425   133   17.6      5.2 346.2   2:57 (187, 17)  

* 159P/2003 UD16 ( LONEOS )


Although it has passed the perihelion about 1 year ago, it has been brightening gradually, and reached to 17.5 mag now.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18   7 39.06   44 54.9   3.107   3.977   148   17.7      9.3 313.9   1:52 (180, 10)  
Dec. 25   7 34.27   45 37.1   3.093   3.992   152   17.7      9.5 306.2   1:20 (180,  9)  

* 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)  
Dec. 18   6 30.37    9 16.7   3.361   4.307   162   17.7     19.2 241.6   0:44 (180, 46)  
Dec. 25   6 22.40    8 14.8   3.398   4.354   164   17.8     18.8 243.1   0:09 (180, 47)  

* 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)  
Dec. 18   5 19.92   47  4.7   4.998   5.909   155   17.8      8.4 294.7  23:29 (180,  8)  
Dec. 25   5 14.72   47 26.8   4.988   5.881   153   17.8      8.0 290.7  22:56 (180,  8)  

* C/2002 J5 ( LINEAR )


It keeps 18 mag until 2005 spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 18  14 15.13   42 37.1   6.648   6.578    81   17.8      5.1   7.7   2:54 (231,-19)  
Dec. 25  14 15.30   43 15.1   6.590   6.602    86   17.8      5.8 358.5   2:57 (227,-14)  

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