Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2007 Dec. 29: North)

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Updated on January 2, 2008
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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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* 17P/Holmes

Great outburst occured on Oct. 24, and it bacame a naked eye comet of 2 mag. It still keeps so bright as 3.1 mag on Jan. 1 (Toni Scarmato). It did not fade at all since late November. It was completely stellar just after the outburst, however, then a round disk like coma is getting larger gradually. The coma diameter has increased up to about 90 arcmin, and the comet has bacome very diffuse. So it looks like a huge nebula now. This comet was also in great outburst at the discovery in 1892 and became so bright as 4 mag. At that time, the comet faded after the first outburst, but soon brightened again in the second outburst. The further brightness is uncertain. But the comet will be observable in excellent condition for a while after this. It will be easily visible with naked eyes for a while in the dark sky.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   2 58.31   44 33.8   1.943   2.704   132    3.4  20:28 (180, 80)  
Jan.  5   2 59.39   43 28.0   2.030   2.734   126    3.5  20:02 (180, 82)  

* 8P/Tuttle

Now it is 5.5 mag, a large bright object visually (Dec. 29, Toni Scarmato). Now the comet is moving southwards very rapidly. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until early February, when it fades down to 7.5 mag. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until it fades out.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   1 24.26   38  8.5   0.263   1.118   114    6.1  18:56 (180, 88)  
Jan.  5   1 50.16   10  7.1   0.259   1.081   105    5.7  18:54 (  0, 64)  

* C/2007 T1 ( McNaught )

Now it is 9.0 mag (Dec. 30, Marco Goiato). It is already unobservable in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be observable in good condition at 9-10 mag until February. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear in the evening sky at 11 mag in March, then it keeps observable while fading gradually until May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  17  2.91  -55 25.3   1.626   1.010    35    9.6   5:36 (324,-20)  
Jan.  5  17  1.17  -60 26.0   1.527   1.051    43    9.6   5:38 (331,-20)  

* 46P/Wirtanen

Brightening rapidly. Now it is 9.6 mag (Dec. 26, Juan Jose Gonzalez), already bright visually. It will reach to 8.5 mag from January to March, and will be observable in good condition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until July when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  23 25.16  -13 25.9   1.033   1.160    70   10.5  18:27 ( 28, 37)  
Jan.  5  23 43.68   -9 59.6   1.013   1.125    68   10.0  18:31 ( 34, 39)  

* C/2006 Q1 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 12.5 mag and visible visually (Dec. 9, Seiichi Yoshida), brightening well as expected. It will reach to 11 mag in spring. It will keep bright for a long time, however, it keeps moving in the southern sky for a while after this. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear at 13 mag from October to December in a short time, but very low and hard to observe. However, it will be visible visually at 11 mag in the evening sky from March to June. Then it becomes unobservable again. But it will appear in the morning sky again at 13 mag at the end of 2008, then it keeps bright and observable for a while.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   9 52.39  -49 34.8   3.137   3.359    94   12.5   3:25 (  0,  5)  
Jan.  5   9 53.09  -50 23.4   3.044   3.320    97   12.4   2:58 (  0,  5)  

* C/2007 F1 ( LONEOS )

Already unobservable in the Northern Hemisphere, but it is observable in the evening low sky in the Southern Hemisphere. It approached down to 0.4 A.U. to the sun on Oct. 28, and it reached to 5.3 mag (Oct. 25, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 10.1 mag (Dec. 1, Marco Goiato). The brightening became very slow just before the perihelion passage, but it started fading rapidly after the perihelion passage. It will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere. But in the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable while fading gradually, although it will not locate very high.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  18 13.58  -61 55.5   2.041   1.415    38   13.1   5:36 (326,-32)  
Jan.  5  18 23.60  -63 45.1   2.126   1.535    41   13.5   5:38 (329,-30)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

It had been fainter than 14 mag all through this season since July. However, an outburst occured on Dec. 29, and now it is bright at 12.9 mag (Dec. 31, Marco Goiato). It will be bright and visible visually in early January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   6  6.17   30 44.9   5.007   5.980   170   13.3  23:35 (  0, 86)  
Jan.  5   6  2.35   30 39.4   5.028   5.982   164   13.3  23:04 (  0, 86)  

* 93P/Lovas 1

Now it is bright and visible visually at 12.8 mag (Dec. 8, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps locating in good position for a while after this. But it will start fading gradually after January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   1 12.11   28  4.7   1.106   1.709   109   13.7  18:43 (  0, 83)  
Jan.  5   1 26.15   28 39.2   1.160   1.716   106   13.8  18:31 (  4, 84)  

* C/2006 OF2 ( Broughton )

It is already bright and visible visually at 13.5 mag (Nov. 13, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will reach to 10.5 mag and will be observable in good condition in 2008 autumn. It keeps observable in good condition for a long time while the comet is getting brighter slowly.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  21 45.03   -2 28.3   4.209   3.681    51   13.8  18:27 ( 60, 32)  
Jan.  5  21 51.48   -1 37.9   4.235   3.630    46   13.7  18:31 ( 66, 28)  

* C/2006 S5 ( Hill )

Now it is bright as 14.0 mag and visible visually (Dec. 8, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps observable in good condition for a long time until spring. It will keep visible visually at 14 mag until March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   7 55.53   18 28.2   1.695   2.638   159   13.9   1:29 (  0, 73)  
Jan.  5   7 52.74   17 56.4   1.678   2.645   166   13.8   0:58 (  0, 73)  

* 192P/2007 T3 ( Shoemaker-Levy 1 )

It was faint as 18 mag in October, but it brightened rapidly after that. Now it is bright as 15.3 mag (Dec. 16, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will reach to 14.5 mag from December to February in the evening sky. But the altitude will be around 30 deg. Then it is observable until April when it becomes too low at 17 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  23  0.67  -20 52.6   1.638   1.467    62   14.7  18:27 ( 31, 28)  
Jan.  5  23 20.66  -16 53.3   1.679   1.479    61   14.6  18:31 ( 36, 30)  

* C/2006 U6 ( Spacewatch )

Now it is 15.7 mag (Oct. 6, Ken-ichi Kadota), brightening as expected. It will reach to 13.5 mag in the southern sky in spring and summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time after this. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps locating extremely low until January, and will be unobservable after that. Then it will be observable again at the end of 2008, when the comet will already fade down to 15 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   0 18.23  -47  5.6   3.191   3.024    71   14.8  18:27 (  7,  8)  
Jan.  5   0 21.55  -46 55.2   3.224   2.983    67   14.8  18:31 ( 11,  7)  

* C/2006 VZ13 ( LINEAR )

It reached to 7.2 mag on July 14 (Maik Meyer), then it faded down to 9.0 mag on Aug. 13 (Carlos Labordena). Although it had been unobservable for a while, now it is observable again. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable while fading gradually. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be fading while keeping extremely low.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  10 43.90  -48 18.0   2.176   2.367    88   14.9   4:17 (  0,  7)  
Jan.  5  10 18.92  -49 18.3   2.152   2.451    95   15.1   3:25 (  0,  6)  

* C/2006 K4 ( NEAT )

Now it is 15.8 mag (Sept. 2, R. Salvo). It keeps 15 mag for a long time until spring. Now it locates low even in the Southern Hemisphere, but it will be getting higher gradually after this. It moves in the southen sky, so it keeps observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  17 45.93  -66  3.1   3.844   3.201    43   15.0   5:36 (332,-30)  
Jan.  5  17 55.62  -67 29.0   3.814   3.208    45   15.0   5:38 (334,-29)  

* C/2005 L3 ( McNaught )

It was visible visually at 14 mag from spring to autumn in 2007. It was not observable for a while, but it is getting higher gradually in the morning sky. It will be observable at 14 mag at high location again in spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  17  6.81    0 58.4   6.410   5.595    31   15.1   5:36 (278, 12)  
Jan.  5  17  8.85    1 27.7   6.355   5.594    36   15.1   5:38 (281, 18)  

* C/2007 B2 ( Skiff )

Now it is 16.1 mag (Nov. 30, Ken-ichi Kadota), brightening as expected. It will reach to 13.5 mag from March to July, and will be visible visually. It keeps observable in good condition for a long time until May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  12 38.92   10 14.8   3.595   3.758    91   15.2   5:36 (340, 64)  
Jan.  5  12 42.70    9 40.6   3.455   3.718    97   15.1   5:38 (355, 65)  

* C/2007 G1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 15.6 mag (Nov. 24, Ken-ichi Kadota). It was not observable temporarily, but it will be getting higher in the morning sky after January. It will be bright at 12 mag for a long time from 2008 spring to 2009 spring. However, it is only observable until August in the Northern Hemisphere because the comet moves southwards. It keeps observable for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  17 31.06    2  2.8   5.029   4.196    29   15.2   5:36 (273,  8)  
Jan.  5  17 36.42    1 20.6   4.951   4.146    31   15.1   5:38 (277, 12)  

* C/2006 V1 ( Catalina )

It was observed at 16 mag in 2007 spring and summer. Although it had been unobservable for a while, now it is appearing again in the Southern Hemisphere. It keeps 16 mag and observable in good condition after this until 2008 summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  16 11.77  -45 18.7   3.435   2.696    35   15.2   5:36 (321, -8)  
Jan.  5  16 30.89  -46 18.5   3.410   2.706    38   15.2   5:38 (323, -7)  

* 110P/Hartley 3

Now it is 14.4 mag and visible visually (Dec. 9, Seiichi Yoshida). It will be observable at 14.5-15 mag in an excellent condition until February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   5  6.33   30  7.2   1.551   2.498   160   15.2  22:35 (  0, 85)  
Jan.  5   5  1.85   29 16.6   1.580   2.495   152   15.2  22:04 (  0, 84)  

* P/2007 H1 ( McNaught )

It reached up to 12.6 mag and was bright visually in autumn (Oct. 5, Seiichi Yoshida). Now it is fading, but it is still bright and visible visually at 14.0 mag (Dec. 9, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps observable in good condition for a while after this. It will be visible visually for some more time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   0 37.03   -8 38.6   2.282   2.459    88   15.3  18:27 (  7, 46)  
Jan.  5   0 45.20   -7 29.7   2.384   2.476    83   15.5  18:31 ( 16, 46)  

* C/2006 W3 ( Christensen )

It is already bright as 14.3 mag and visible visually (Dec. 9, Seiichi Yoshida). It is expected to reach to 11 mag in 2009 summer. Because it moves in the northern sky, it keeps observable until it becomes brightest in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   4 28.29   64  2.7   5.174   5.906   134   15.5  21:57 (180, 61)  
Jan.  5   4 13.10   63 41.6   5.170   5.858   130   15.4  21:14 (180, 61)  

* 50P/Arend

Now it is visible visually at 15.0 mag (Dec. 8, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps observable in good condition until it fades out in spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   2  5.02   44 17.3   1.280   1.993   122   15.8  19:35 (180, 81)  
Jan.  5   2 13.23   43 53.3   1.347   2.010   118   16.0  19:16 (180, 81)  

* 2005 WY3

Peculiar asteroid moving on a cometary orbit. It brightened up to 16.9 mag on Nov. 20 (Siding Spring Survey), but still completely asteroidal. It will reach to 15 mag in February and March. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until July when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. It may show a cometary activity after this, although the perihelion distance is somewhat large as 1.8 A.U.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   9 48.04  -30 12.3   1.236   1.806   108   16.1   3:20 (  0, 25)  
Jan.  5   9 55.15  -31 15.4   1.182   1.795   111   16.0   3:00 (  0, 24)  

* C/2006 K1 ( McNaught )

Now it is 16.2 mag (Nov. 24, Ken-ichi Kadota). It keeps observable in the evening sky until March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   2 50.98  -20 35.2   4.172   4.617   111   16.2  20:21 (  0, 35)  
Jan.  5   2 49.45  -19  4.5   4.267   4.633   105   16.3  19:52 (  0, 36)  

* 70P/Kojima

Now it is 16.8 mag (Nov. 23, Ken-ichi Kadota), brightening as expected. It keeps observable at 16.5 mag in good condition for a long time until April.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  12 16.38    3  9.5   1.811   2.123    94   16.4   5:36 (354, 58)  
Jan.  5  12 24.58    2 48.2   1.750   2.142    99   16.4   5:29 (  0, 58)  

* 191P/2007 N1 ( McNaught )

It kept brightening even after the perihelion passage, and reached to the maximum brightness at 15.5 mag in mid November. It was also visible visually at 14.5 mag (Nov. 14, Alan Hale). But it is fading now. It has already faded down to 16.8 mag (Dec. 17, Charles Bell).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   2 40.37    6  7.1   1.517   2.206   122   16.4  20:10 (  0, 61)  
Jan.  5   2 43.91    7 13.6   1.604   2.226   116   16.6  19:46 (  0, 62)  

* 188P/2007 J7 ( LINEAR-Mueller )

It was visible visually at 14.4 mag in autumn (Oct. 6, Seiichi Yoshida). But it is fading now, and it has already faded down to 17 mag in mid December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   0 13.36    7 38.7   2.368   2.554    89   16.4  18:27 ( 22, 61)  
Jan.  5   0 20.96    8 36.0   2.458   2.556    84   16.5  18:31 ( 34, 60)  

* C/2007 W1 ( Boattini )

Now it is brightening up to 16.7 mag (Dec. 19, P. C. Sherrod). It will pass 0.85 A.U. from the sun in late June in 2008, and it is expected to reach to 6 mag. In the Northern Hemipshere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time after this, while the comet is brightening gradually. The comet will be 14 mag in February and become visible visually. Then it is observable until around May 25, when the comet will be 7.5 mag. It will be unobservable for one and a half month around the perihelion passage. But it will appear in the morning sky again at 7 mag in early July, then it keeps observable after that while the comet is fading gradually. In the Southern Hemipsphere, it keeps observable all the period until the comet fades out, although it will be low in mid June.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  12 20.90   -4 41.9   2.707   2.882    90   16.8   5:36 (353, 50)  
Jan.  5  12 26.44   -5 37.1   2.524   2.797    95   16.5   5:31 (  0, 49)  

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

It will reach to 15 mag in 2009 and 2010. Now it is 16.5 mag (Dec. 18, J. R. Vidal). It will be observable at 16.5 mag in good condition until March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   4 58.09   23 14.6   3.083   4.017   159   16.5  22:27 (  0, 78)  
Jan.  5   4 53.88   23 15.5   3.120   4.008   150   16.5  21:56 (  0, 78)  

* C/2003 WT42 ( LINEAR )

It was observed visually as bright as 13 mag from late 2005 to early 2006. Now it is fading. It is appearing in the morning sky again. It will be observable in good condition at 17 mag for a long time until June.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  14 18.25    0  6.2   7.294   6.940    65   16.7   5:36 (311, 43)  
Jan.  5  14 20.90   -0  9.0   7.223   6.972    71   16.8   5:38 (319, 47)  

* C/2007 U1 ( LINEAR )

It will reach to 15.5 mag in 2008 autumn and will be observable in good condition. In this winter, it is observable at 17 mag in good condition until March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   6  3.68    3  1.6   2.984   3.917   158   16.8  23:32 (  0, 58)  
Jan.  5   5 48.44    3 33.7   2.976   3.884   154   16.8  22:49 (  0, 59)  

* 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup

Now it is 19.0 mag (Dec. 21, Luca Buzzi). It is expected to reach to 13 mag in March and April, and to be visible visually. It keeps observable in good condition for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphre, it keeps locating low until March. But it will be getting higher after April and observable while the comet is fading.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  11 30.66  -28  3.0   1.159   1.535    91   17.2   5:02 (  0, 27)  
Jan.  5  11 51.46  -30 50.7   1.073   1.482    92   16.9   4:56 (  0, 24)  

* P/2007 T6 ( Catalina )

It will be observable at 17 mag in good condition until February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   9 30.46   26 43.0   1.640   2.468   139   17.0   3:03 (  0, 82)  
Jan.  5   9 29.08   28 20.0   1.614   2.492   146   17.0   2:34 (  0, 83)  

* 65P/Gunn

It will reach to 13 mag in 2010. Now it is around the aphelion, but it will be observable at 17 mag in good condition in autumn and winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   8 58.65   28  3.7   3.463   4.315   146   17.1   2:32 (  0, 83)  
Jan.  5   8 54.86   28 34.6   3.398   4.302   153   17.1   2:00 (  0, 84)  

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

It reached to 13.5 mag and became visible visually in 2005 and 2006. Now it has gone far away. But the fading has been slower than predicted, and it is still bright as 16.3 mag (Nov. 7, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be observable in good condition until February, and will keep 16-17 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   1 41.87    6 55.9   3.882   4.309   109   17.2  19:12 (  0, 62)  
Jan.  5   1 42.79    7 14.2   4.002   4.323   102   17.3  18:45 (  0, 62)  

* C/2007 T5 ( Gibbs )

It will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition until May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   8 31.96   28 38.5   3.329   4.223   152   17.4   2:05 (  0, 84)  
Jan.  5   8 28.96   29 57.3   3.275   4.207   158   17.3   1:34 (  0, 85)  

* 180P/2006 U3 ( NEAT )

Now it is 18.3 mag (Dec. 14, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be observable in good condition for a hile until spring. It will reach to 16.5 mag in March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  10 56.39   25 58.2   2.018   2.650   119   17.5   4:29 (  0, 81)  
Jan.  5  11  0.05   26 50.8   1.934   2.634   125   17.3   4:05 (  0, 82)  

* C/2007 M2 ( Catalina )

It keeps 16 mag for one year from 2008 spring to 2009 spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition while the comet is brightening until 2008 spring. But the comet moves southwards after that, and it will never observable after 2008 July.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  12 56.04   14 28.1   4.588   4.688    89   17.5   5:36 (327, 66)  
Jan.  5  12 55.78   14  5.4   4.435   4.649    96   17.4   5:38 (345, 68)  

* C/2006 M1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Nov. 25, Ken-ichi Kadota). Because it is distant object, it kept 17 mag for one year and a half. But it will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   2 29.40   16 19.7   3.909   4.527   123   17.4  19:59 (  0, 71)  
Jan.  5   2 29.72   15 27.2   4.044   4.563   116   17.5  19:32 (  0, 70)  

* 124P/Mrkos

Now it is 18.4 mag (Dec. 15, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will reach to 16 mag from February to April, and will be observable in good condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  11 25.22   57 52.4   1.223   1.895   118   17.6   4:57 (180, 67)  
Jan.  5  11 31.85   58 40.5   1.150   1.855   120   17.4   4:36 (180, 66)  

* C/2002 VQ94 ( LINEAR )

It had been observed at 16.5 mag for a long time from 2005 to 2007. Now it is fading. But it keeps observable at 17.5 mag in good condition for a long time until July.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  14 34.25   15 35.7   8.390   8.096    69   17.5   5:36 (290, 51)  
Jan.  5  14 35.83   15 29.2   8.317   8.120    75   17.5   5:38 (298, 56)  

* C/2007 D1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.8 mag (Nov. 18, Ken-ichi Kadota). It was observed at 17.5 mag in early 2007. It will be observable at 17.5 mag again in this winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29  11 12.94   -2  6.1   8.533   8.864   106   17.6   4:45 (  0, 53)  
Jan.  5  11 13.18   -1 56.7   8.428   8.870   113   17.6   4:18 (  0, 53)  

* P/2007 V1 ( Larson )

Now it is observable in good condition at 17.5 mag. But it will be fainter than 18 mag in January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   2 49.17   29 26.0   1.933   2.681   130   17.7  20:19 (  0, 84)  
Jan.  5   2 50.57   29 19.9   2.006   2.684   124   17.8  19:53 (  0, 84)  

* P/2004 F3 ( NEAT )

It was observed bright as 14-15 mag in 2004 and 2005. Now it is close to the aphelion, but it will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition in 2007 autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   2 35.79    5 19.7   4.359   4.939   121   17.9  20:06 (  0, 60)  
Jan.  5   2 34.81    5 37.2   4.466   4.947   113   18.0  19:37 (  0, 61)  

* 179P/2006 U2 ( Jedicke )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Nov. 7, Ken-ichi Kadota). Now it is at maximum of brightness, but it keeps observable in good condition for a while after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   3 13.81   -3 30.7   3.440   4.089   125   17.9  20:43 (  0, 52)  
Jan.  5   3 12.84   -2 51.6   3.522   4.090   118   18.0  20:15 (  0, 52)  

* 173P/2005 T1 ( Mueller 5 )

It was observed bright at 16.5-17 mag from late 2006 to early 2007. However, it is fading after that, although it is getting closer to the sun. Now it is observable in good condition, but very faint at 18.4 mag (Nov. 21, Ken-ichi Kadota). This comet was observed so faint around the perihelion passage in the previous apparition at the discovery. So probably, it faded out before the perihelion passage again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   7 57.27   25  4.8   3.321   4.258   159   18.5   1:30 (  0, 80)  
Jan.  5   7 53.43   25 36.7   3.288   4.253   167   18.6   0:59 (  0, 81)  

* 128P/Shoemaker-Holt 1

Now it is 18.6 mag (Nov. 16, Ken-ichi Kadota). In the previous apparition in 1997, it brightened after the perihelion passage, and observed visually at 13 mag. However, such a brightening did not happen and the comet kept faint in the current apparition. It became fainter by 3-4 mag than the previous apparition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 29   7 16.75   16 22.4   2.289   3.255   166   18.6   0:50 (  0, 71)  
Jan.  5   7 11.79   16 27.3   2.289   3.267   173   18.6   0:18 (  0, 71)  

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