Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2005 Jan. 29: South)

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Updated on January 30, 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 started fading slowly. It is visible all night in the Northern Hemisphere, 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. 29   2 56.85   59 18.9   0.469   1.207   106    4.2     71.2 353.1  20:46 (162,-10)  
Feb.  5   2 51.42   66 37.0   0.534   1.218   102    4.5     55.4 357.8  20:38 (164,-17)  

* 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. 29   3 51.53  -35 50.7   1.674   1.972    92    9.1     49.4 333.2  20:46 ( 82, 71)  
Feb.  5   3 41.48  -31  4.7   1.851   2.057    87    9.5     40.2 339.4  20:38 ( 91, 65)  

* 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. 29  19 20.20   26 54.0   1.848   1.421    49   10.4     39.8 130.6   3:38 (255,-28)  
Feb.  5  19 35.72   23 50.4   1.800   1.332    46   10.1     40.1 131.4   3:48 (256,-23)  

* C/2005 A1 ( LINEAR )


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. 29  14 11.24  -30 36.1   1.186   1.516    88   11.7     67.5 163.3   3:38 (268, 64)  
Feb.  5  14 23.18  -39  4.0   1.042   1.429    89   11.1     84.2 164.5   3:48 (288, 71)  

* 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. 29  20 27.37  -19 34.1   2.417   1.438     4   11.6     49.7  82.4   3:38 (306,-14)  
Feb.  5  20 51.71  -18 41.0   2.407   1.431     6   11.5     50.0  80.4   3:48 (303,-12)  

* 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. 29  12 42.62   14 11.8   0.818   1.588   123   11.6     16.5  64.3   3:38 (190, 40)  
Feb.  5  12 48.59   15  6.5   0.804   1.615   128   11.8     12.9  49.5   3:48 (180, 40)  

* 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. 29   3 35.16   12 52.6   1.666   2.149   105   11.6     17.9  74.7  20:46 (148, 36)  
Feb.  5   3 43.87   13 26.8   1.761   2.169   100   11.8     19.6  75.2  20:38 (145, 34)  

* 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. 29  23 52.58   50 55.3   2.080   2.142    80   12.0     19.1  41.1  20:46 (138,-22)  
Feb.  5   0  2.74   52 38.8   2.154   2.168    77   12.2     20.8  43.2  20:38 (139,-24)  

* 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. 29   2 47.37   20 41.7   1.548   1.927    96   12.7     20.9  57.0  20:46 (141, 23)  
Feb.  5   2 56.85   22  1.5   1.600   1.907    91   12.6     23.3  60.5  20:38 (140, 21)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1


It became bright at 12 mag in outburst in early January. But the recent activity after that is uncertain.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   0 15.76   10 13.1   6.178   5.732    58   13.6      9.1  71.1  20:46 (106,  5)  
Feb.  5   0 19.97   10 34.8   6.272   5.732    52   13.7      9.7  70.3  20:38 (104,  2)  

* 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. 29  13  8.20    8 54.2   1.484   2.110   115   14.5     14.7  88.3   3:38 (200, 44)  
Feb.  5  13 14.73    9  1.0   1.379   2.070   121   14.1     12.9  83.2   3:48 (189, 46)  

* 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. 29  10 36.92   28 34.7   1.887   2.798   152   14.2     11.9 329.7   2:05 (180, 26)  
Feb.  5  10 33.25   29 45.0   1.877   2.812   157   14.2     12.4 322.0   1:33 (180, 25)  

* 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. 29   3 35.91   54 19.4   2.190   2.713   111   14.4     29.6 250.1  20:46 (165, -2)  
Feb.  5   3 16.74   53  6.7   2.332   2.729   103   14.6     23.4 244.1  20:38 (159, -4)  

* 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. 29  22 44.78   56 47.6   3.798   3.734    78   14.4     19.3 110.1  20:46 (140,-33)  
Feb.  5  22 59.76   56  4.4   3.938   3.810    75   14.6     18.3 107.7  20:38 (139,-34)  

* 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. 29  10 49.26  -16 17.0   3.446   4.193   134   14.4     19.5 284.4   2:17 (180, 71)  
Feb.  5  10 39.90  -15 38.4   3.449   4.270   142   14.5     20.6 287.4   1:40 (180, 71)  

* (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. 29   0 49.55   50 52.3   1.739   1.952    86   14.8     20.1  56.1  20:46 (143,-15)  
Feb.  5   1  3.03   52 12.4   1.794   1.956    84   14.8     22.4  58.4  20:38 (144,-16)  

* 141P/Machholz 2


Not yet observed in this return. The condition of this appearance is bad. It will appear at the evening low sky in March at 12.5 mag in the Northern Hemisphere, or in April at 14 mag in the Southern Hemisphere. Then it will become faint rapidly while locating very low in the evening.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  21 35.21   -7 34.8   1.837   0.929    15   15.6     65.3  73.2  20:46 ( 68,-16)  
Feb.  5  22  5.58   -5 13.9   1.767   0.868    16   14.9     70.2  72.4  20:38 ( 72,-16)  

* 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. 29  15 30.80  -30 49.9   2.269   2.169    71   15.1     16.5 227.1   3:38 (279, 48)  
Feb.  5  15 22.71  -32 12.6   2.083   2.143    79   14.9     21.6 235.0   3:48 (276, 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. 29   5 23.27   48 20.5   5.457   6.126   129   14.9      3.0 251.9  20:48 (180,  7)  
Feb.  5   5 21.66   48 13.0   5.508   6.099   122   14.9      2.1 235.2  20:38 (177,  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)  
Jan. 29   2  7.66   -4 28.9   1.194   1.402    79   15.1     44.7  50.3  20:46 (113, 36)  
Feb.  5   2 24.37   -1  6.8   1.210   1.387    77   15.0     47.1  51.9  20:38 (116, 33)  

* 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. 29   1 12.97  -17 48.2   1.123   1.109    63   15.2     86.4  74.5  20:46 ( 91, 33)  
Feb.  5   1 48.81  -15 11.1   1.280   1.253    65   16.0     68.6  72.1  20:38 ( 96, 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 at 15.5 mag.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   4 23.33  -18 30.1   4.280   4.646   105   15.3     10.5 279.2  20:46 (138, 69)  
Feb.  5   4 18.65  -18 15.8   4.315   4.582    99   15.3      9.0 285.2  20:38 (127, 65)  

* 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. 29  11  7.53   42 49.5   2.911   3.730   141   15.6     14.7 280.3   2:35 (180, 12)  
Feb.  5  10 57.97   43  3.2   2.947   3.798   145   15.8     15.4 274.9   1:58 (180, 12)  

* 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. 29   9  0.34   31 51.1   1.035   2.005   165   15.6     19.5 336.9   0:28 (180, 23)  
Feb.  5   8 56.10   33 48.2   1.060   2.020   161   15.8     17.1 334.2  23:52 (180, 21)  

* 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. 29   7 45.09   59 14.7   1.147   1.986   137   15.8      9.6 191.6  23:09 (180, -4)  
Feb.  5   7 44.11   57 56.8   1.147   1.970   134   15.7     12.8 180.7  22:41 (180, -3)  

* (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. 29   0 37.13    4  8.6   0.708   0.892    61   15.9     38.2 218.2  20:46 (104, 13)  
Feb.  5   0 25.21    0 34.4   0.716   0.758    49   15.9     42.6 222.0  20:38 ( 97,  9)  

* 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. 29  15 35.15  -16 22.3   3.553   3.411    73   16.4     14.5 106.4   3:38 (261, 41)  
Feb.  5  15 41.66  -16 49.6   3.441   3.397    79   16.4     13.4 106.3   3:48 (256, 48)  

* 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. 29   1 44.69   46 17.7   1.131   1.535    92   16.5     38.6  64.6  20:46 (146, -5)  
Feb.  5   2  8.82   48  1.6   1.215   1.582    91   16.7     37.8  69.0  20:38 (148, -5)  

* 129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3


It keeps 17 mag until May when it becomes low in the evening.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   5 22.50   26 18.3   2.122   2.880   132   16.5      3.2 220.6  20:47 (180, 29)  
Feb.  5   5 22.10   26  2.1   2.188   2.872   125   16.6      2.3 166.9  20:38 (175, 29)  

* 164P/2004 Y1 ( Christensen )


It will be fading gradually, 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. 29  10 58.04   29 21.5   1.693   2.581   147   16.8     14.1 319.6   2:26 (180, 26)  
Feb.  5  10 52.56   30 34.0   1.704   2.622   153   16.8     14.8 311.7   1:53 (180, 25)  

* 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. 29   0 41.46   10 27.0   2.798   2.537    64   16.8     24.3  66.3  20:46 (110, 10)  
Feb.  5   0 52.24   11 36.1   2.877   2.540    60   16.9     25.1  66.6  20:38 (110,  8)  

* C/2004 K1 ( Catalina )


Appearing at dawn. It will be observable in good condition at 15.5 mag from April to June.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29  18 15.97   -3 45.5   4.405   3.697    39   16.9      5.5  27.1   3:38 (274,  1)  
Feb.  5  18 16.94   -3  8.8   4.295   3.672    45   16.8      5.8  15.8   3:48 (268,  8)  

* 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. 29   4 54.68   48 13.7   5.131   5.747   124   17.2      3.3 274.0  20:46 (175,  7)  
Feb.  5   4 52.82   48 14.4   5.190   5.721   118   17.2      2.0 270.2  20:38 (172,  6)  

* 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. 29   3 20.93   18 46.7   2.505   2.899   103   17.3      7.9  34.3  20:46 (147, 29)  
Feb.  5   3 23.73   19 33.7   2.573   2.871    97   17.3      9.7  44.9  20:38 (144, 26)  

* 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. 29   1 25.11   11  0.6   3.217   3.105    74   17.4     15.7  73.6  20:46 (118, 18)  
Feb.  5   1 32.54   11 33.2   3.303   3.098    69   17.5     16.9  73.2  20:38 (116, 15)  

* 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. 29   4  3.00   16 17.5   1.310   1.920   112   17.4     19.0  46.6  20:46 (157, 35)  
Feb.  5   4 10.48   17 47.3   1.375   1.920   107   17.5     21.0  53.0  20:38 (154, 33)  

* 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. 29   9 32.48   40 34.9   3.500   4.414   155   17.5      7.5 296.2   1:00 (180, 14)  
Feb.  5   9 28.23   40 55.0   3.500   4.413   154   17.5      7.4 288.9   0:29 (180, 14)  

* C/2005 B1 ( Christensen )


Recovery of a peculiar asteroid 2004 FS101 discovered in 2004 spring. It keeps observable at 15-16 mag for a long time from 2005 spring to 2006 winter. 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. 29  14 33.31   21 36.9   4.558   4.818    99   17.6     14.3  18.1   3:38 (216, 24)  
Feb.  5  14 35.24   23 16.2   4.421   4.773   105   17.5     15.1  12.1   3:48 (207, 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. 29   5 25.37   31 47.7   1.115   1.926   132   17.6     10.0 100.2  20:50 (180, 23)  
Feb.  5   5 31.60   31 34.3   1.171   1.934   127   17.7     13.0  99.0  20:38 (178, 23)  

* 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. 29  14  6.01   47 33.1   6.327   6.726   109   17.8     10.1 325.9   3:38 (199,  4)  
Feb.  5  14  1.59   48 32.0   6.291   6.751   113   17.8     10.9 320.5   3:48 (192,  5)  

* 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. 29   7  6.66   47 18.5   3.228   4.069   144   17.8      6.8 270.3  22:31 (180,  8)  
Feb.  5   7  2.42   47 15.2   3.294   4.085   138   17.9      5.6 260.2  21:59 (180,  8)  

* P/2004 T1 ( LINEAR-NEAT )


Fading rapidly, and it will be fainter than 18 mag soon.
Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1    Mot.(') p.a.  Best Time(A, h)  
Jan. 29   2 15.90   17 52.2   1.614   1.870    88   17.8     31.1  62.7  20:46 (133, 21)  
Feb.  5   2 29.71   19 28.8   1.706   1.896    85   18.2     31.4  64.7  20:38 (133, 19)  

* 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. 29  16 43.37   35  2.7   7.292   7.157    78   17.9      5.4   2.7   3:38 (230, -4)  
Feb.  5  16 43.27   35 42.5   7.235   7.170    82   17.9      6.0 354.1   3:48 (224,  1)  

* C/2004 X3 ( LINEAR )


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. 29  11 26.69    1 36.1   3.774   4.547   137   18.0     14.3 246.2   2:54 (180, 53)  
Feb.  5  11 20.18    0 56.5   3.686   4.534   145   17.9     15.8 249.6   2:20 (180, 54)  

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