Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2005 Jan. 1: South)

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Updated on January 1, 2005
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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 )


It keeps brighter than 4.0 mag locating high in the evening sky until late 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)  
Jan.  1   3 51.42    8 52.8   0.354   1.262   135    3.8    127.8 344.0  21:05 (180, 45)  
Jan.  8   3 35.00   23 43.6   0.349   1.234   129    3.6    131.8 346.3  21:02 (169, 29)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   6 28.36  -58 59.5   1.184   1.640    97    7.8     97.2 287.7  23:35 (  0, 66)  
Jan.  8   5 18.92  -53 56.1   1.258   1.722    99    8.2     87.1 305.6  22:02 (  0, 72)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   3 10.36   11 14.1   1.330   2.080   127   11.0      8.2  77.7  21:03 (167, 43)  
Jan.  8   3 14.81   11 30.2   1.407   2.095   121   11.2     11.1  75.3  21:02 (160, 41)  

* C/2003 T4 ( LINEAR )


In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until 2005 spring when it reaches to 8 mag. The altitude 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)  
Jan.  1  18 11.32   38 51.6   2.018   1.789    62   11.3     40.7 128.7   3:03 (248,-48)  
Jan.  8  18 29.81   35 52.7   1.975   1.697    59   11.1     40.4 129.1   3:11 (251,-44)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1  11 57.01   12 20.8   0.909   1.511   105   11.2     31.6  88.8   3:03 (219, 33)  
Jan.  8  12 11.29   12 30.9   0.881   1.526   109   11.2     28.2  85.3   3:11 (214, 36)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1  23 28.71   44 59.6   1.761   2.069    93   11.2     11.6  17.7  21:03 (140, -9)  
Jan.  8  23 32.02   46 19.5   1.844   2.082    89   11.4     13.4  28.0  21:02 (138,-13)  

* C/2004 V13 ( SWAN )


It had been around 6-6.5 mag from Dec. 16 to 20. After appearing at dusk, Ken-ichi Kadota observed it as 10.1 mag on Dec. 26 and 10.9 mag on Dec. 30. It will be observable while fading after this. But it may fade out must faster than expected.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  1  20 38.51  -21 52.6   0.879   0.430    25   11.6    177.3  98.2  21:03 ( 63,  0)  
Jan.  8  22  5.73  -23 35.6   0.844   0.620    38   13.1    165.9  91.6  21:02 ( 70, 13)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1  18 50.51  -20 58.9   2.485   1.503     2   12.4     47.3  91.0  21:03 ( 45,-19)  
Jan.  8  19 14.38  -20 57.3   2.464   1.481     1   12.2     48.2  88.8   3:11 (314,-19)  

* 32P/Comas Sola


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)  
Jan.  1   2 25.59   15 45.6   1.357   2.022   118   12.8     10.3  22.8  21:03 (155, 36)  
Jan.  8   2 28.43   16 54.1   1.401   1.995   112   12.8     12.7  37.2  21:02 (150, 32)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


Although it brightened to 11 mag in mid December, it became faint as 13 mag in late December.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  1   0  2.30    9 13.6   5.754   5.730    83   13.5      5.6  77.0  21:03 (118, 21)  
Jan.  8   0  5.09    9 23.9   5.865   5.730    77   13.5      6.6  74.9  21:02 (114, 16)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1  21 32.82   60 54.6   3.275   3.426    90   13.6     24.5 115.7  21:03 (145,-32)  
Jan.  8  21 53.02   59 42.4   3.398   3.504    87   13.8     23.1 115.0  21:02 (144,-32)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   5 56.32   54 58.8   1.794   2.671   146   13.8     55.3 286.5  23:07 (180,  0)  
Jan.  8   5 13.44   56  7.0   1.856   2.679   139   13.9     50.1 275.9  21:57 (180, -1)  

* C/2002 T7 ( LINEAR )


It will be getting fainter gradually until June when it becomes 17 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  1  11 20.20  -17 20.1   3.558   3.881   101   14.1     12.2 269.2   3:03 (236, 62)  
Jan.  8  11 13.75  -17 17.4   3.516   3.960   109   14.2     14.2 273.8   3:11 (217, 69)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1  10 40.32   23 58.8   2.046   2.749   126   14.4      9.1  21.1   3:03 (194, 30)  
Jan.  8  10 41.35   25  1.5   1.991   2.761   133   14.3      9.5   4.6   3:11 (185, 30)  

* (944) Hidalgo


It will be fading slowly until 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)  
Jan.  1   0 17.58   46 23.7   1.508   1.962   101   14.4      9.3  32.2  21:03 (147, -4)  
Jan.  8   0 22.15   47 21.7   1.567   1.956    97   14.5     12.1  43.8  21:02 (145, -7)  

* C/2003 WT42 ( LINEAR )


It has been brightening more rapidly than expected. 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)  
Jan.  1   5 36.07   48 21.6   5.357   6.236   151   15.0      5.9 280.3  22:50 (180,  7)  
Jan.  8   5 32.13   48 26.8   5.364   6.208   146   15.0      5.4 274.9  22:19 (180,  7)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1  11 35.60   40 55.5   2.884   3.454   117   15.1      8.4 303.0   3:03 (201, 10)  
Jan.  8  11 30.53   41 27.9   2.876   3.523   124   15.3     10.4 296.6   3:11 (193, 12)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   1 13.59  -16 50.5   1.143   1.502    89   15.2     32.3  42.9  21:03 (108, 51)  
Jan.  8   1 25.04  -13 59.0   1.155   1.472    86   15.2     35.8  45.1  21:02 (109, 47)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   9 10.16   22 36.1   1.061   1.960   146   15.4     19.1   1.6   2:28 (180, 33)  
Jan.  8   9  9.62   24 54.3   1.037   1.969   154   15.4     20.4 352.7   2:00 (180, 30)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   4 49.33  -18 24.1   4.214   4.901   129   15.5     15.6 260.9  22:03 (180, 73)  
Jan.  8   4 41.95  -18 37.0   4.215   4.838   124   15.5     14.6 265.0  21:29 (180, 74)  

* 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 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)  
Jan.  1  12 35.26    9 37.4   1.947   2.274    96   15.9     19.8  99.6   3:03 (230, 30)  
Jan.  8  12 44.30    9 16.9   1.826   2.233   100   15.5     18.8  97.6   3:11 (224, 34)  

* (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)  
Jan.  1   1 34.50   20  8.4   0.626   1.322   108   15.6     60.3 227.3  21:03 (144, 26)  
Jan.  8   1 15.15   15 33.2   0.647   1.227    95   15.7     51.2 223.1  21:02 (132, 24)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   0 20.88   35 25.6   0.824   1.371    98   15.7     44.4  45.1  21:03 (140,  5)  
Jan.  8   0 39.69   38 48.5   0.896   1.408    96   15.9     42.3  50.3  21:02 (141,  1)  

* C/2004 L1 ( LINEAR )


It will be at opposition and reach to 13.5 mag in March and April. No observations have been reported since 2004 August. So it is uncertain if the comet is brightening as expected.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  1  15 41.96  -26 30.0   2.938   2.299    41   16.0      7.7 183.4   3:03 (292, 15)  
Jan.  8  15 41.27  -27 26.2   2.786   2.263    48   15.8      8.7 195.1   3:11 (288, 23)  

* C/2004 RG113 ( LINEAR )


It will be observable in good condition at 16 mag until March.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  1   7 55.38   60 13.8   1.227   2.084   140   16.1      4.8 343.0   1:14 (180, -5)  
Jan.  8   7 53.37   60 35.6   1.194   2.055   141   16.0      3.1 299.5   0:44 (180, -6)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   5 36.52   27 28.1   1.957   2.914   163   16.4     10.6 257.8  22:51 (180, 28)  
Jan.  8   5 31.42   27 11.4   1.981   2.905   155   16.4      9.3 254.5  22:18 (180, 28)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   1 26.73   10 33.4   1.277   1.782   103   16.5     28.3  53.2  21:03 (137, 33)  
Jan.  8   1 37.93   12 30.1   1.356   1.802    99   16.8     29.3  56.0  21:02 (135, 30)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   0  3.12    6 11.3   2.469   2.538    82   16.5     19.8  65.2  21:03 (116, 23)  
Jan.  8   0 11.88    7 11.1   2.552   2.536    77   16.6     21.2  65.5  21:02 (114, 19)  

* P/2004 Y1 ( Christensen )


New comet. It keeps 16.5 mag in good condition until late January.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  1  11  5.99   24 22.4   1.757   2.416   121   16.6      9.7  14.0   3:03 (201, 28)  
Jan.  8  11  6.38   25 31.7   1.728   2.457   127   16.6     10.4 355.5   3:11 (192, 29)  

* 2004 YY23


New asteroid with a cometary orbit. It is getting far away from the earth and fading rapidly now.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  1   7 13.45    3 35.0   0.168   1.142   159   16.6    186.2 181.5   0:32 (180, 50)  
Jan.  8   7 11.28  -14  2.6   0.207   1.157   143   17.5    117.0 181.9   0:02 (180, 68)  

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1


It will brighten gradually, then it will be 15 mag in spring and summer.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  1  15  5.19  -14  8.9   3.973   3.468    52   16.8     17.6 108.0   3:03 (276, 16)  
Jan.  8  15 13.15  -14 45.8   3.874   3.453    57   16.7     17.0 107.5   3:11 (273, 22)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   0 56.75   -1 43.2   3.722   3.879    91   16.7      7.7  46.0  21:03 (120, 38)  
Jan.  8   0 59.65   -1  4.4   3.847   3.897    85   16.8      9.0  50.3  21:02 (116, 33)  

* 163P/2004 V4 ( NEAT )


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)  
Jan.  1   3 49.87   10 10.1   1.105   1.937   136   17.1     12.5 357.1  21:05 (180, 45)  
Jan.  8   3 50.47   11 39.8   1.147   1.930   129   17.2     13.4  13.6  21:02 (172, 43)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   1  1.69    9 29.3   2.857   3.137    97   17.2      9.5  78.6  21:03 (131, 31)  
Jan.  8   1  6.48    9 45.2   2.947   3.128    91   17.3     11.2  76.4  21:02 (126, 27)  

* P/2004 WR9 ( LINEAR )


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)  
Jan.  1   5 18.13   32 13.7   0.971   1.920   158   17.3      2.7 276.4  22:33 (180, 23)  
Jan.  8   5 17.37   32 13.1   0.994   1.918   151   17.3      0.5 179.7  22:04 (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)  
Jan.  1   3 22.06   16  4.8   2.273   3.017   131   17.3      7.5 310.9  21:03 (172, 38)  
Jan.  8   3 19.90   16 40.8   2.321   2.987   124   17.3      6.2 329.5  21:02 (164, 37)  

* P/2004 V5 ( LINEAR-Hill )


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)  
Jan.  1   9 44.72   38 29.3   3.632   4.423   139   17.6      5.8 332.3   3:03 (180, 17)  
Jan.  8   9 42.69   39  4.8   3.580   4.420   144   17.5      6.4 321.0   2:33 (180, 16)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   1 41.82    9 35.7   2.330   2.774   106   17.6      8.4  59.7  21:03 (140, 36)  
Jan.  8   1 45.66   10  6.9   2.467   2.816   100   17.9     10.1  62.3  21:02 (135, 33)  

* C/2004 X3 ( LINEAR )


New comet. It will be observable at 17.5 mag until May.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  1  11 43.91    4 31.2   4.245   4.615   106   17.8      8.6 218.6   3:03 (221, 42)  
Jan.  8  11 40.97    3 45.1   4.117   4.599   113   17.7      9.7 228.2   3:11 (210, 47)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   7 28.85   46 13.2   3.093   4.007   155   17.7      9.6 299.1   0:47 (180,  9)  
Jan.  8   7 23.08   46 41.9   3.106   4.022   155   17.7      9.3 292.3   0:14 (180,  8)  

* P/2004 X1 ( LINEAR )


New comet. Very diffused. 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)  
Jan.  1   1  0.38   17 29.3   0.581   1.225    99   17.7     92.6  68.3  21:03 (137, 24)  
Jan.  8   1 39.43   20 49.3   0.665   1.302   102   18.3     76.1  71.5  21:02 (141, 23)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   5  9.70   47 44.1   4.992   5.854   148   17.8      7.3 287.0  22:24 (180,  7)  
Jan.  8   5  5.03   47 56.9   5.009   5.827   143   17.8      6.6 283.5  21:52 (180,  7)  

* C/2002 J5 ( LINEAR )


It keeps 18 mag until spring.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  1  14 14.91   43 58.5   6.532   6.626    91   17.8      6.7 350.6   3:03 (222,-10)  
Jan.  8  14 13.86   44 46.8   6.475   6.651    96   17.8      7.5 343.6   3:11 (217, -6)  

* 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)  
Jan.  1   6 14.66    7 17.8   3.454   4.402   162   17.8     17.8 244.2  23:28 (180, 48)  
Jan.  8   6  7.36    6 26.4   3.528   4.449   156   17.9     16.5 245.2  22:54 (180, 49)  

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