Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2006 May 6: North)

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Updated on May 11, 2006
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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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* 73P-C/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3

Now it is passing extremely near by the earth, remarkable approach after 76 years since its discovery in 1930, and in its best time to observe. It was bright as 6 mag in early May. Very strongly condensed, and the broad 1-2 degree long tail is clearly visible. It looks like a great comet and enjoyable to see. It has been brightening stably, however, it is significantly fainter than this ephemeris. Now two components, C and B, are visible bright at 6 mag. But all other fragments are very faint, fainter than 13 mag. The condition has been excellent for a long time, however, it will be getting lower and lower in the morning sky after mid May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  18  5.24   33 46.1   0.096   1.048   111    5.0   3:06 (  0, 89)  
May  13  21  2.08   25  5.5   0.079   1.008    85    4.2   3:21 (279, 60)  

* 73P-B/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3

Now it is passing extremely near by the earth, remarkable approach after 76 years since its discovery in 1930, and in its best time to observe. Since early April, it has been experienced nuclear fragmentations and outbursts frequently, and it became bright as 6 mag in early May. It is cometary, much larger than the component C with weaker condensation. The condition has been excellent for a long time, however, it will be getting lower and lower in the morning sky after mid May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  17  8.68   39  9.0   0.097   1.054   115    6.8   2:10 (180, 86)  
May  13  20 20.46   36 37.3   0.068   1.013    90    5.8   3:21 (257, 72)  

* C/2005 E2 ( McNaught )

It has been visible visually in the low sky since last August. It has been bright as 10 mag for three months since December. It will be too low to observe soon. It will appear in the morning sky again in late August at 13.5 mag. It will come to locate high in October, then it will be visible visually again at 14 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6   3 58.35   31 59.2   2.707   1.809    21   11.1  20:24 (127,  4)  
May  13   4 21.12   32 57.4   2.775   1.861    20   11.3  20:32 (130,  2)  

* C/2004 B1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 12.6 mag (May 4, Seiichi Yoshida). Diffuse visually. It had been originally expected to reach to 9 mag at best. However, the brightness evolution had been very slow, and actually it is much fainter than originally expected. But with a large telescope, it is still bright and enjoyable. It will be observable in good condition after this until autumn. It will be visible bright as 12 mag for a while.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  19 28.52    3 53.3   1.411   1.979   108   11.7   3:29 (330, 55)  
May  13  19  8.04    9 22.7   1.364   2.033   116   11.7   3:21 (345, 64)  

* 73P-G/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3

After it brightened rapidly in early April, it kept bright as 12 mag in April. However, it declined rapidly in late April. It was still visible at around 13 mag in early May, but extremely diffuse and hard to see. Now it is passing extremely near by the earth, and in its best time to observe. But it may disappear soon. On the other hand, another outburst may occur and it may brighten again. The condition has been excellent for a long time, however, it will be getting lower and lower in the morning sky after mid May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  16 57.98   39 55.4   0.097   1.056   116   13.2   1:59 (180, 85)  
May  13  20 10.29   38 56.0   0.066   1.014    91   12.2   3:21 (248, 74)  

* C/2006 A1 ( Pojmanski )

It reached to 5.2 mag at best in late February and early March. The fading had been slow in March, however, it turned to be fading rapidly in April. Now it is 11.9 mag (May 4, Seiichi Yoshida). Although it had been moderated condensed until early April, now it is very diffuse. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until it fades out. It will be fading gradually in the morning sky after this. It will be fainter than 13 mag in late May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6   0 53.81   63 38.0   1.966   1.551    51   11.7   3:29 (210, 28)  
May  13   1 15.67   64 58.3   2.099   1.660    50   12.3   3:21 (208, 28)  

* 71P/Clark

It is already bright and visible visually, 12.4 mag on May 4 (Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps 12 mag until July. The condition is best beucase it is almost at opposition at the perihelion passage. However, it will be very low, only 13-20 deg high, from June to September in the Northern Hemisphere. When it gets higher again, it will be fainter than 14 mag, too faint to see visually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  18 44.84  -26 10.4   0.781   1.592   125   12.6   3:29 (355, 29)  
May  13  18 57.05  -27 34.7   0.734   1.581   129   12.4   3:21 (356, 27)  

* 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 (fainter fragments)

Now it is passing extremely near by the earth, remarkable approach after 76 years since its discovery in 1930, and in its best time to observe. In addition to the two bright components, C and B, several dozens of fragments were discovered. However, none of them brightened much as expected. They are all very faint, fainter than 13 mag. All fragments are very unstable, suddenly brighten up to 12-15 mag but fade out rapidly within a few days. Some fragments can brighten unexpectedly and can become visible visually suddenly after this. So observations are encouraged. But unfortunately, the condition has been excellent for a long time, however, it will be getting lower and lower in the morning sky after mid May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  16 45.04   40 31.3   0.099   1.058   117   13.7   1:46 (180, 85)  
May  13  19 52.95   41 32.8   0.066   1.016    92   12.7   3:21 (235, 76)  

* C/2003 WT42 ( LINEAR )

It brightened faster than a typical comet, and became visible visually as 13.5 mag in October (Oct. 24, Seiichi Yoshida). Now it is still bright as 13.6 mag (Apr. 17, Maciej Reszelski). Small and strongly condensed. It kept bright as 13.5 mag and observable in good condition for a long time. But it will be getting lower in the evening, and will be too low to observe in July. However, it will be observable in good condition again at 14.5 mag in next winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6   9 45.96   47  9.5   5.149   5.195    86   13.8  20:24 (132, 69)  
May  13   9 49.57   46 12.5   5.238   5.197    82   13.8  20:32 (125, 64)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

It did not brighten so frequently in 2005. But it was often bright as 12-13 mag in early 2006. Now it is not observable. It will appear again at dawn in July. Then it will be observable in good condition in autumn and winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6   2 58.33   25 12.7   6.800   5.806     8   13.9  20:24 (131,-11)  
May  13   3  4.43   25 36.1   6.806   5.808     8   13.9   3:21 (228,-10)  

* 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak

Great outburst over 6 mag has occured always in recent appearances in 1995 and 2001. The brightness evolution will not be along the prediction also in this appearance. Actually, it is brighter than this ephemeris, already visible visually as 12.4 mag (May 4, Seiichi Yoshida). It may brighten much more. Although it will not approach to the earth so much in this return, it keeps observable all through the period in the evening sky until autumn. It becomes brightest in June and too faint in autumn. It keeps locating around 30 degree high after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6   7 29.64   25 18.7   1.139   1.159    64   14.9  20:24 ( 95, 40)  
May  13   7 53.29   25 23.3   1.116   1.123    63   14.6  20:32 ( 97, 38)  

* 102P/Shoemaker 1

Although it was not observed in its last return in 1999, it will be observable in good condition after the periheliion passage in this return. It will reach to 14.5 mag from June to August. Now it is appearing at dawn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6   0 11.34    2 56.3   2.632   1.992    41   15.1   3:29 (269,  4)  
May  13   0 24.15    5 26.9   2.577   1.985    44   15.0   3:21 (268,  7)  

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

In 2005 spring, it reached to 14 mag and became visible visually as 13.8 mag (July 8, Reinder J. Bouma). In 2006, it will be the same condition and brightness in summer again. Somewhat low in the south. But it will reach to 14 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  22 13.11  -19 39.2   3.175   3.112    77   15.4   3:29 (306, 13)  
May  13  22 20.25  -19 20.0   3.091   3.119    82   15.3   3:21 (307, 15)  

* 4P/Faye

It was 16.6 mag on Apr. 21, brightening as expected. Although it is still low in the morning sky, it will be getting higher and brightening rapidly after this. It will be 14 mag and visible visually in June. It will reach to 8.5 mag from autumn to winter, and observable in its best condition. It keeps 14 mag still in 2007 April, so it keeps visible visually for a long time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  22 46.22   -0 24.3   2.747   2.452    62   15.7   3:29 (285, 20)  
May  13  22 57.38    0 47.1   2.632   2.411    66   15.5   3:21 (285, 22)  

* 98P/Takamizawa

It is unexpectedly bright as 15.5 mag on Apr. 2 (Ken-ichi Kadota). But it keeps very low until June. It will be getting higher after it starts fading. However, it has ever become a naked eye object in outburst, so observations are encouraged.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  22 40.33  -10 28.1   1.886   1.768    67   15.8   3:29 (294, 14)  
May  13  22 55.50   -9 39.8   1.853   1.792    70   15.9   3:21 (294, 16)  

* C/2004 Q2 ( Machholz )

It was fantastic, so bright as 3.5 mag, so large as 30 arcmin, locating high overhead at its best time in early 2004 January. Then it has been getting fainter gradually, and become already too faint to see visually. However, it is still bright as 15.8 mag by CCD observations (Mar. 30, Katsumi Yoshimoto). It keeps observable until October when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  16 43.96    3 14.0   4.788   5.651   145   15.9   1:50 (  0, 58)  
May  13  16 39.74    3 19.5   4.813   5.715   150   16.0   1:19 (  0, 58)  

* C/2005 L3 ( McNaught )

It is outside of Jupiter's orbit, so it keeps observable for a long time. In 2006, it is still faint and locating somewhat low. But in 2007 and 2008, it is expected to be bright as 14.5-15 mag. It will locate high at that time, so it may be visible visually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  20 26.21  -24 49.6   6.837   7.121   102   16.3   3:29 (330, 23)  
May  13  20 23.42  -24 45.6   6.687   7.091   109   16.2   3:21 (334, 26)  

* C/2004 D1 ( NEAT )

It brightened faster than a typical comet, and it reached to 15.8 mag on Feb. 9 (Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be observable in good condition as 16 mag for a long time until next spring. It was too faint to see visually, fainter than 13.9 mag (Mar. 31, Seiichi Yoshida).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  10 22.29   60 30.2   4.978   5.017    86   16.3  20:24 (164, 63)  
May  13  10 26.08   59 21.4   5.053   5.024    82   16.3  20:32 (156, 62)  

* 174P/(60558) 2000 EC98 ( Echeclus )

It had been an extremely faint Centaur asteroid until 2004, fainter than 21 mag. However, it brightened up to 17.5 mag on 2005 Dec. 30, and a coma was observed, then it was revealed to be a comet. It brightened furthermore, 14.8 mag on Jan. 7 (Ken-ichi Kadota). It was also visible visually at 14.4 mag (Jan. 8, Seiichi Yoshida). It still keeps bright as 15.7 mag on Apr. 16 (Mitsunori Tsumura). Now the condensation of the outburst looks separatedly from the nucleus. Because it is a temporary brightening in outburst, it will return to be so faint as 21 mag in the near future. It will pass the perihelion in 2015. The heliocentric distance reduces down to 5.9 A.U., but it will be 17 mag at best. However, another outburst may happen again in the future.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  13  2.03   -4 29.2  11.958  12.847   150   16.3  22:05 (  0, 50)  
May  13  13  0.71   -4 21.0  12.007  12.834   143   16.5  21:36 (  0, 51)  

* C/2005 K1 ( Skiff )

It had been observed at 16 mag by CCD, or 14 mag visually, in spring and summer in 2005. Now it is appearing again in the morning sky. It will be observable again at 16.5 mag in spring and summer in 2006. But the altitude will be somewhat lower than in 2005.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  19 46.96   -5 32.5   3.565   3.977   106   16.7   3:29 (330, 45)  
May  13  19 45.40   -6 29.4   3.480   4.000   114   16.7   3:21 (337, 46)  

* C/2005 B1 ( Christensen )

It was 16.0 mag on Mar. 13 (Ken-ichi Kadota). It kept 16-16.5 mag for about one year from early 2005. It had been locating somewhat low for a while, but it will be higher after this. It keeps 17 mag until autumn when the condition becomes good.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6   0  5.11   53 50.2   3.844   3.277    49   16.7   3:29 (223, 30)  
May  13   0 15.97   53 53.8   3.851   3.292    49   16.7   3:21 (223, 31)  

* C/2002 VQ94 ( LINEAR )

It is outside of Jupiter's orbit. So it keeps 16.5-17 mag for a long time. Because it moves in the northern sky, it keeps locating high and observable in good condition until 2006 summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  13 55.94   68 12.3   6.662   6.821    94   16.7  22:58 (180, 57)  
May  13  13 46.75   67 24.5   6.703   6.825    92   16.7  22:21 (180, 58)  

* P/2004 VR8 ( LONEOS )

Although it was faint as 18 mag at the discovery in 2004 November, then it brightened very rapidly until early 2005, and reached to 16.0 mag on May 7 (Ken-ichi Kadota). After it appeared in the morning sky again, it continued brightening furthermore, and reached to 14.7 mag on Nov. 22 (Ken-ichi Kadota). It was also visible visually as 14.4 mag (Mar. 29, Maciej Reszelski). However, it already faded down to 16.6 mag by CCD observations (Apr. 20, Mitsunori Tsumura). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until summer when it becomes too faint.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  13 25.79   13 52.8   2.153   3.021   143   16.9  22:28 (  0, 69)  
May  13  13 22.06   13  9.4   2.229   3.051   137   17.1  21:57 (  0, 68)  

* C/2004 K1 ( Catalina )

It was visible visually as 14.3 mag in 2005 spring (July 10, Edwin van Dijk). Now it is 16.6 mag (Feb. 5, Ken-ichi Kadota). Although it had kept 16.5 mag since December until early April, it will fade out rapidly after this, and become fainter than 18 mag in July.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  10 56.79   20  8.3   3.910   4.387   111   17.2  20:24 ( 21, 74)  
May  13  10 50.23   19 55.1   4.072   4.426   103   17.3  20:32 ( 48, 69)  

* (944) Hidalgo

It reached to 13 mag and was observed visually in good condition in 2004 autumn. It has been not observable since August, but it is appearing at dawn again. It keeps 17 mag until late April. But it will go away soon after that. Next return is in 2018, when it will be 14.3 mag at best.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  12 33.46    5 37.2   3.563   4.379   139   17.4  21:36 (  0, 61)  
May  13  12 29.73    5 15.2   3.676   4.419   132   17.5  21:05 (  0, 60)  

* 99P/Kowal 1

It was reported as 17 mag recently, a bit brighter than this ephemeris. It is also observable at the same brightness in 2007 spring, but the altitude will be a bit lower.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  11  5.03    8 51.6   4.248   4.814   118   17.5  20:24 (  9, 64)  
May  13  11  5.14    8 43.7   4.339   4.809   111   17.5  20:32 ( 27, 61)  

* P/2005 XA54 ( LONEOS-Hill )

It was so faint as 18.5 mag at the discovery in early December, but it brightened up to 17 mag in mid January. Then it started brightening extremely rapidly after mid January. It was visible visually as bright as 14.0 mag in late February (Feb. 27, Seiichi Yoshida). Very strongly condensed and almost stellar. Now it seems to be fading rapidly. But actually, it is still bright as 16.4 mag on Apr. 20 (Mitsunori Tsumura), brighter than this ephemeris. It may keep brighter for a while.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
May   6  11 13.44   25  3.5   1.254   1.889   112   17.7  20:24 (  8, 80)  
May  13  11 23.93   24  6.0   1.333   1.915   108   17.9  20:32 ( 34, 77)  

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