Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2005 Jan. 22: North)

Japanese version
Home page
 Updated on January 24, 2005
Last week South Next week

Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Northern Hemisphere.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

* C/2004 Q2 ( Machholz )
It started fading slowly. In the Northern Hemisphere, it becomes visible all night after late January, but the altitude is low at dawn. 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. 22   3  6.74   49 55.4   0.413   1.206   112    3.9     92.5 350.2  18:58 (180, 74)  
Jan. 29   2 56.85   59 18.9   0.469   1.207   106    4.2     71.2 353.1  18:52 (171, 65)

* C/2003 K4 ( LINEAR )
It locates high in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be fading gradually in the evening sky. It becomes too low in the evening sky at 12-13 mag in April. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22   4  8.00  -41 23.2   1.511   1.888    96    8.7     60.8 326.3  19:59 (  0, 14)  
Jan. 29   3 51.53  -35 50.7   1.674   1.972    92    9.1     49.4 333.2  19:15 (  0, 19)

* C/2003 T4 ( LINEAR )
In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable in the morning low sky until March when it reaches to 8 mag In the Southern Hemisphere, it becomes observable in the morning low sky after March. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22  19  4.14   29 54.5   1.892   1.513    52   10.6     39.8 130.0   5:37 (249, 24)  
Jan. 29  19 20.20   26 54.0   1.848   1.421    49   10.4     39.8 130.6   5:34 (253, 24)

* 62P/Tsuchinshan 1
Very diffused and widely spreading visually. It will be fading gradually after this. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22  12 34.29   13 26.8   0.835   1.565   118   11.4     20.5  73.9   4:29 (  0, 68)  
Jan. 29  12 42.62   14 11.8   0.818   1.588   123   11.6     16.5  64.3   4:10 (  0, 69)

* 78P/Gehrels 2
It will be fading gradually after this. It will be visible visually until May when it becomes too low in the evening sky at 13-14 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22   3 27.34   12 20.9   1.576   2.130   110   11.5     16.0  74.4  19:20 (  0, 67)  
Jan. 29   3 35.16   12 52.6   1.666   2.149   105   11.6     17.9  74.7  19:00 (  0, 68)

* 10P/Tempel 2
The condition of this return is bad. It is not observable around the perihelion passage. It will appear at dawn in 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. 22  20  2.95  -20 14.9   2.430   1.449     3   11.8     49.3  84.4   5:37 (284,-15)  
Jan. 29  20 27.37  -19 34.1   2.417   1.438     4   11.6     49.7  82.4   5:34 (284,-15)

* C/2005 A1 ( LINEAR )
Very bright at 11.5 mag visually. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable in the morning until early February, but will be unobservable in mid February. It goes to the southern sky and northern people cannot see it around the perihelion passage. It will appear in the morning again at 13 mag in June, then it keeps observable while fading. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable as bright as 9-10 mag from February to April. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22  14  1.51  -23 51.5   1.347   1.605    85   12.2     54.6 161.1   5:37 (355, 31)  
Jan. 29  14 11.24  -30 36.1   1.186   1.516    88   11.7     67.5 163.3   5:34 (359, 25)

* C/2004 Q1 ( Tucker )
It will be fading gradually after this. 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. 22  23 44.06   49 17.3   2.003   2.119    82   11.8     17.3  38.3  18:46 (128, 53)  
Jan. 29  23 52.58   50 55.3   2.080   2.142    80   12.0     19.1  41.1  18:52 (130, 49)

* 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. 22   2 39.41   19 23.1   1.497   1.948   101   12.7     18.2  52.6  18:46 ( 12, 74)  
Jan. 29   2 47.37   20 41.7   1.548   1.927    96   12.7     20.9  57.0  18:52 ( 34, 73)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1
It became bright at 12 mag in outburst in early January. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22   0 11.85    9 53.9   6.078   5.731    64   13.6      8.3  72.1  18:46 ( 66, 46)  
Jan. 29   0 15.76   10 13.1   6.178   5.732    58   13.6      9.1  71.1  18:52 ( 72, 40)

* 121P/Shoemaker-Holt 2
It tends to become brightest after the perihelion passage. It was 16 mag in early January, 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. 22  10 39.58   27 22.0   1.911   2.785   146   14.2     11.1 338.9   2:35 (  0, 82)  
Jan. 29  10 36.92   28 34.7   1.887   2.798   152   14.2     11.9 329.7   2:05 (  0, 84)

* C/2001 Q4 ( NEAT )
Completely diffused, but still bright at 12 mag 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. 22  22 28.78   57 38.4   3.661   3.658    82   14.2     20.5 112.1  18:46 (139, 42)  
Jan. 29  22 44.78   56 47.6   3.798   3.734    78   14.4     19.3 110.1  18:52 (138, 39)

* C/2004 U1 ( LINEAR )
It keeps bright as 13.5 mag still in early January since the outburst in late November. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22   4  1.49   55 25.6   2.059   2.700   120   14.2     36.3 257.3  19:52 (180, 70)  
Jan. 29   3 35.91   54 19.4   2.190   2.713   111   14.4     29.6 250.1  18:59 (180, 71)

* C/2004 V13 ( SWAN )
It appeared in the evening very low sky in early January, when it was observed at 11 mag visually. It is extremely diffused and fading rapidly. No observations have been reported since Jan. 9. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22   0 25.95  -20 32.2   0.988   0.957    58   14.3    110.7  78.5  18:46 ( 37, 25)  
Jan. 29   1 12.97  -17 48.2   1.123   1.109    63   15.2     86.4  74.5  18:52 ( 36, 29)

* 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. 22  10 58.15  -16 46.3   3.458   4.116   126   14.3     18.0 281.3   2:53 (  0, 38)  
Jan. 29  10 49.26  -16 17.0   3.446   4.193   134   14.4     19.5 284.4   2:17 (  0, 39)

* 9P/Tempel 1
It has brightened to 16 mag in mid January. 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. 22  13  0.86    8 54.8   1.594   2.151   110   14.8     16.3  92.1   4:55 (  0, 64)  
Jan. 29  13  8.20    8 54.2   1.484   2.110   115   14.5     14.7  88.3   4:35 (  0, 64)

* (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. 22   0 38.23   49 36.4   1.682   1.951    90   14.7     17.7  53.5  18:46 (131, 61)  
Jan. 29   0 49.55   50 52.3   1.739   1.952    86   14.8     20.1  56.1  18:52 (132, 58)

* C/2003 WT42 ( LINEAR )
It has been brightening rapidly. 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. 22   5 25.61   48 25.8   5.415   6.153   135   14.9      3.9 261.8  21:18 (180, 77)  
Jan. 29   5 23.27   48 20.5   5.457   6.126   129   14.9      3.0 251.9  20:48 (180, 77)

* 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. 22   1 52.16   -7 46.4   1.180   1.421    81   15.1     42.1  48.7  18:46 ( 21, 45)  
Jan. 29   2  7.66   -4 28.9   1.194   1.402    79   15.1     44.7  50.3  18:52 ( 29, 47)

* 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. 22  15 36.14  -29 35.2   2.450   2.198    63   15.4     12.8 217.8   5:37 (334, 20)  
Jan. 29  15 30.80  -30 49.9   2.269   2.169    71   15.1     16.5 227.1   5:34 (341, 21)

* 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 at 15.5 mag. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22   4 28.83  -18 39.1   4.250   4.710   112   15.4     12.0 274.1  20:21 (  0, 36)  
Jan. 29   4 23.33  -18 30.1   4.280   4.646   105   15.3     10.5 279.2  19:48 (  0, 37)

* 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. 22  11 16.32   42 27.5   2.888   3.661   136   15.5     13.6 285.6   3:12 (180, 83)  
Jan. 29  11  7.53   42 49.5   2.911   3.730   141   15.6     14.7 280.3   2:35 (180, 82)

* 69P/Taylor
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. It will be fading gradually after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in April. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22   9  4.34   29 38.9   1.023   1.991   165   15.5     20.9 340.8   1:00 (  0, 85)  
Jan. 29   9  0.34   31 51.1   1.035   2.005   165   15.6     19.5 336.9   0:28 (  0, 87)

* C/2004 RG113 ( LINEAR )
It will be observable in good condition at 16 mag until March. It was reported as 14.4 mag visually. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22   7 47.42   60  7.5   1.155   2.006   139   15.8      6.4 207.8  23:39 (180, 65)  
Jan. 29   7 45.09   59 14.7   1.147   1.986   137   15.8      9.6 191.6  23:09 (180, 66)

* (3200) Phaethon
It will be too low in the evening sky in mid February, then it will be unobservable. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22   0 48.09    7 40.5   0.692   1.014    72   15.9     39.0 217.7  18:46 ( 54, 50)  
Jan. 29   0 37.13    4  8.6   0.708   0.892    61   15.9     38.2 218.2  18:52 ( 62, 40)

* 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. 22   1 21.69   44 12.0   1.049   1.491    94   16.3     39.6  60.0  18:46 (125, 70)  
Jan. 29   1 44.69   46 17.7   1.131   1.535    92   16.5     38.6  64.6  18:52 (129, 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. 22  15 28.19  -15 52.5   3.664   3.425    68   16.5     15.4 106.7   5:37 (329, 33)  
Jan. 29  15 35.15  -16 22.3   3.553   3.411    73   16.4     14.5 106.4   5:34 (334, 35)

* 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. 22   5 24.24   26 35.7   2.065   2.888   139   16.5      5.2 241.0  21:16 (  0, 82)  
Jan. 29   5 22.50   26 18.3   2.122   2.880   132   16.5      3.2 220.6  20:47 (  0, 81)

* 164P/2004 Y1 ( Christensen )
It will be fading gradually after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in April. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22  11  2.31   28  4.5   1.695   2.540   141   16.7     13.0 328.8   2:57 (  0, 83)  
Jan. 29  10 58.04   29 21.5   1.693   2.581   147   16.8     14.1 319.6   2:26 (  0, 84)

* 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. 22   0 31.11    9 19.4   2.717   2.536    68   16.7     23.4  66.0  18:46 ( 60, 49)  
Jan. 29   0 41.46   10 27.0   2.798   2.537    64   16.8     24.3  66.3  18:52 ( 67, 45)

* C/2004 D1 ( NEAT )
Because it moves in the northern sky, it keeps observable for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere. It has been brightening rapidly, but it will reach to 16 mag at best in early 2006. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22   4 57.39   48 11.0   5.080   5.774   130   17.3      4.5 277.2  20:49 (180, 77)  
Jan. 29   4 54.68   48 13.7   5.131   5.747   124   17.2      3.3 274.0  20:19 (180, 77)

* P/2004 VR8 ( LONEOS )
It keeps 17.5 mag until May when it becomes low in the evening sky. It will be observable again at 16.5 mag in 2006. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22   3 19.34   18  2.1   2.439   2.928   110   17.3      6.5  17.8  19:12 (  0, 73)  
Jan. 29   3 20.93   18 46.7   2.505   2.899   103   17.3      7.9  34.3  18:52 (  5, 74)

* 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. 22   3 57.09   14 45.3   1.251   1.922   118   17.3     16.9  38.4  19:50 (  0, 70)  
Jan. 29   4  3.00   16 17.5   1.310   1.920   112   17.4     19.0  46.6  19:28 (  0, 71)

* 119P/Parker-Hartley
It will be getting lower in the evening sky after this, then will be unobservable in March. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22   1 18.25   10 31.4   3.128   3.112    80   17.4     14.4  74.2  18:46 ( 47, 57)  
Jan. 29   1 25.11   11  0.6   3.217   3.105    74   17.4     15.7  73.6  18:52 ( 56, 53)

* P/2004 V5 ( LINEAR-Hill )
Split comets. 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. 22   9 36.43   40  9.1   3.514   4.416   153   17.5      7.3 303.6   1:32 (180, 85)  
Jan. 29   9 32.48   40 34.9   3.500   4.414   155   17.5      7.5 296.2   1:00 (180, 84)

* 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. 22   5 20.89   31 59.0   1.067   1.920   138   17.5      6.7 102.5  21:13 (  0, 87)  
Jan. 29   5 25.37   31 47.7   1.115   1.926   132   17.6     10.0 100.2  20:50 (  0, 87)

* P/2004 T1 ( LINEAR-NEAT )
Fading rapidly, and it will be fainter than 18 mag in March. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22   2  2.61   16 10.0   1.525   1.846    92   17.5     30.7  60.7  18:46 ( 34, 68)  
Jan. 29   2 15.90   17 52.2   1.614   1.870    88   17.8     31.1  62.7  18:52 ( 47, 67)

* 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. 22   7 11.68   47 14.5   3.175   4.053   149   17.8      7.8 278.4  23:03 (180, 78)  
Jan. 29   7  6.66   47 18.5   3.228   4.069   144   17.8      6.8 270.3  22:31 (180, 78)

* 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. 22  14  9.49   46 35.1   6.371   6.701   105   17.8      9.3 331.4   5:37 (202, 77)  
Jan. 29  14  6.01   47 33.1   6.327   6.726   109   17.8     10.1 325.9   5:33 (180, 77)

* C/2003 O1 ( LINEAR )
It keeps 18 mag until summer. 
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 22  16 43.00   34 27.1   7.347   7.144    74   17.9      4.9  12.2   5:37 (257, 53)  
Jan. 29  16 43.37   35  2.7   7.292   7.157    78   17.9      5.4   2.7   5:34 (258, 58)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright(C) Seiichi Yoshida (comet@aerith.net). All rights reserved.