Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2009 June 20: North)

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 Updated on June 21, 2009
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Northern Hemisphere.
Azimuth indicates 0 for south, 90 for west, 180 for north, 270 for east.

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* C/2008 Q3 ( Garradd )

Now it is so bright as 6.8 mag (June 12, Marco Goiato). It will be fading gradually after this. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable until mid August in the evening low sky. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be getting lower after this, and will be too low to observe in late August. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  12 57.19  -29 13.6   1.124   1.799   114    7.2  21:04 ( 28, 20)  
June 27  12 45.75  -21 21.1   1.271   1.799   103    7.5  21:04 ( 41, 22)

* C/2008 T2 ( Cardinal )

Now it is so bright as 8.6 mag (June 18, Marco Goiato). It will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time after this in the evening sky. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   7 58.98   -2 13.8   1.798   1.207    39    8.3  21:04 ( 96,-14)  
June 27   8 15.20   -6 37.8   1.800   1.221    40    8.4  21:04 ( 94,-18)

* C/2006 W3 ( Christensen )

Now it is so bright as 8.8 mag (June 17, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be observable at 8-10 mag in good condition for a long time until late autumn. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  22 23.17   35 30.9   2.902   3.130    93    8.5   2:59 (262, 71)  
June 27  22 12.69   35 12.9   2.784   3.128   100    8.4   3:01 (265, 79)

* 22P/Kopff

Now it is very bright as 9.3 mag (June 19, Marco Goiato). It will be bright at 9-10 mag for a long time until autumn. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  22 27.05   -9 28.2   0.892   1.599   113    9.3   2:59 (328, 40)  
June 27  22 37.21   -9  9.5   0.862   1.611   117    9.3   3:01 (334, 42)

* C/2009 F6 ( Yi-SWAN )

It was bright as 8-9 mag in April and May. Now it is not observable. But it will appear in the morning sky again at 12 mag in late August, then it will be fading slowly in the low sky. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time after August. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   6 18.33   29 59.4   2.430   1.433     8   10.0  21:04 (137,-10)  
June 27   6 31.60   26 51.9   2.495   1.483     3   10.2  21:04 (138,-14)

* C/2009 G1 ( STEREO )

It has been observed bright as 8-9 mag from April to June. It is bright as 9.3 mag still now (June 13, Marco Goiato). However, it will be fading after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in a good condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   5 14.57  -61 50.6   1.205   1.517    85   10.2   2:59 (326,-47)  
June 27   6 25.61  -61 13.9   1.320   1.588    84   10.6  21:04 ( 33,-51)

* C/2007 Q3 ( Siding Spring )

Now it is very bright as 9.8 mag (June 13, Marco Goiato). It keeps as bright as 10-11 mag for a long time untio 2010 spring. It is not observable in the Northern Hemisphere now. But it will appear in the morning sky in early October, then it keeps observable at 10 mag in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable soon. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   7 37.75   -5 33.2   3.287   2.570    38   11.0  21:04 ( 97,-20)  
June 27   7 50.07   -4 12.7   3.302   2.533    34   10.9  21:04 (101,-22)

* C/2007 N3 ( Lulin )

It passed near by the earth in late February, and it reached up to 4.9 mag (Feb. 23, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It has faded down to 11.8 mag (May 17, Carlos Labordena), and became unobservable. But it will appear in the morning sky again at 14 mag in August. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   6 55.03   21 55.4   3.553   2.579    14   12.8  21:04 (126,-10)  
June 27   6 58.46   21 49.5   3.659   2.657     8   13.0  21:04 (130,-14)

* 116P/Wild 4

Now it is very bright as 11.1 mag (June 14, Marco Goiato). It will be too low to observe in the evening sky in July. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  10 41.58    9 20.3   2.318   2.185    69   12.9  21:04 ( 83, 26)  
June 27  10 53.04    8  0.0   2.383   2.181    66   12.9  21:04 ( 84, 22)

* P/2009 L2 ( Yang-Gao )

New bright periodic comet. Now it is 12.9 mag and visible visually (June 17, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Moving northwards in the Milky Way. In the Northern Hemisphere, the condition becomes good after this. But the comet will fade out rapidly. It will be fainter than 15 mag in August, and fainter than 18 mag in October. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  18 18.42  -10 43.5   0.334   1.342   166   12.9   0:26 (  0, 44)  
June 27  18 21.02   -5 43.7   0.362   1.366   162   13.1   0:01 (  0, 49)

* 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

It brightened very rapidly, faster than expected, and reached up to 9.3 mag in spring (Mar. 26, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. However, it is still very bright as 9.7 mag (May 26, Juan Jose Gonzalez). But it will be unobservable soon. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   8 22.51   24 30.3   2.550   1.797    33   13.1  21:04 (115,  7)  
June 27   8 41.77   23 21.6   2.636   1.850    31   13.4  21:04 (115,  5)

* 64P/Swift-Gehrels

The condition of this return is bad, and it has not been observed yet. Now appearing in the morning sky. It will be getting higher gradually while fading slowly after this. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   3 52.85   25 51.7   2.196   1.379    27   13.3   2:59 (240,  3)  
June 27   4 18.97   26 54.1   2.194   1.386    28   13.3   3:01 (240,  5)

* 24P/Schaumasse

It reaches up to 11 mag in 2009 summer. However, the condition of this apparition is worst. We can not observe it at all. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   6  4.65   24 59.1   2.392   1.378     2   14.2  21:04 (137,-15)  
June 27   6 30.59   25 23.0   2.353   1.339     2   13.6  21:04 (137,-15)

* 88P/Howell

It is already bright as 13.2 mag and visible visually (June 17, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be brightening rapidly after this, and will be 10 mag in autumn. It keeps observable for a long time until 2010 February. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it will be lower than 20 degree after August, then it keeps very low all through the brightest time. It locates a bit higher in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  12 28.44   -1 18.6   1.365   1.816    98   13.9  21:04 ( 52, 39)  
June 27  12 34.53   -2 21.6   1.391   1.772    93   13.7  21:04 ( 56, 35)

* C/2006 OF2 ( Broughton )

It brightened up to 9.8 mag in December and January (Dec. 28, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading, but still bright as 12.5 mag (May 26, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be unobservable soon. However, it will be observable in good condition again in winter at 15 mag. Then it may be still visible visually. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   8 17.01   24 13.8   4.615   3.798    32   13.7  21:04 (116,  6)  
June 27   8 25.40   23 18.3   4.719   3.851    27   13.8  21:04 (118,  2)

* C/2007 G1 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 11.5 mag in last summer (Aug. 4, Marco Goiato). Although it is not observable in the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere. However, no visual observations have been reported since last summer. Recent CCD observations suggest that it is still visible visually around 12-13 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   5 39.84  -39 50.3   3.791   3.457    63   13.8   2:59 (292,-52)  
June 27   5 48.13  -38 59.7   3.847   3.502    62   13.9   3:01 (292,-48)

* 217P/2009 F3 ( LINEAR )

It has already brightened up to 14.3 mag (June 12, Artyom Novichonok). It will brighten rapidly after this, and will be observable at 10-11 mag in a good condition for a long time from summer to winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  23 15.48   -5 52.9   1.035   1.585   101   14.2   2:59 (313, 37)  
June 27  23 37.53   -5 11.1   0.949   1.534   102   13.8   3:01 (315, 39)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky in September. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   8 17.93   20 28.2   6.962   6.139    33   14.1  21:04 (112,  4)  
June 27   8 22.93   20  7.3   7.021   6.141    27   14.1  21:04 (115, -1)

* 65P/Gunn

Now it is 12.7 mag and visible visually (June 1, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will brighten up to 12-13 mag in 2010 summer. In 2009, it keeps observable in good condition until summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  12  2.45    9  0.9   2.715   2.870    88   14.5  21:04 ( 68, 42)  
June 27  12  7.27    7 59.5   2.786   2.850    83   14.5  21:04 ( 71, 37)

* C/2006 Q1 ( McNaught )

It reached to 10.9 mag in May (May 11, Marco Goiato). It is fading slowly. Now it is 13.4 mag (June 1, Juan Jose Gonzalez), still visible visually. It keeps bright as 13-14 mag for a long time after this until summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  16 11.74   37 35.4   3.904   4.422   114   14.7  22:16 (180, 87)  
June 27  16  8.55   37 24.3   3.998   4.472   111   14.8  21:45 (180, 88)

* C/2009 E1 ( Itagaki )

It brightened rapidly, and it reached up to 7.5 mag on Apr. 5 (Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is fading now. But it is still very bright as 10.3 mag (June 1, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be getting higher gradually after this, and it keeps observable until it has gone away. It will be visible visually for some more time. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  22 20.25   26 55.6   1.009   1.533    98   14.8   2:59 (286, 69)  
June 27  21 41.80   23 45.7   0.952   1.638   112   15.3   3:01 (335, 78)

* C/2009 K4 ( Gibbs )

Now it is bright as 14.0 mag and visible visually (June 11, Juan Jose Gonzalez). However, it will be getting lower very rapidly in the evening sky, and will be too low to observe in early August. It was discovered in May, but it must have been bright and observable in the northern sky since winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   9 28.62   36  1.0   2.052   1.559    47   15.0  21:04 (117, 25)  
June 27   9 51.87   32 27.5   2.077   1.563    46   15.0  21:04 (114, 23)

* 199P/2008 G2 ( Shoemaker 4 )

It has brightened up to 14 mag in outburst in 2008 August. It has not been observable for a long time, but it is appearing in the morning sky. Now it is bright as 15.4 mag (May 8, Ken-ichi Kadota), brighter than originally expected. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  21 26.65  -31 51.1   2.195   2.979   132   15.1   2:59 (352, 23)  
June 27  21 27.19  -33  9.3   2.148   2.988   138   15.0   3:01 (359, 22)

* (3200) Phaethon

It passes the perihelion in June, and brightens up to 13.5 mag. But it is not observable, too close to the sun. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   6 20.54   21  0.2   0.930   0.141     6   15.1  21:04 (132,-16)  
June 27   5 20.96   29 33.5   0.856   0.296    15   15.8   3:01 (229, -5)

* C/2005 L3 ( McNaught )

Now it is 13.7 mag (June 1, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It had been bright and visible visually around 13 mag from spring to autumn in 2008. It will be visible visually at 14 mag again until summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  13 16.85   36 59.6   6.622   6.719    91   15.2  21:04 (103, 69)  
June 27  13 13.10   36 32.2   6.747   6.746    85   15.3  21:04 (103, 63)

* C/2008 N1 ( Holmes )

Now it is 16.1 mag (May 25, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will brighten up to 15 mag in 2009 and 2010, and will be observable for a long time in good condition. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  20 18.65   56 15.9   2.698   2.959    94   15.4   2:27 (180, 69)  
June 27  19 48.76   58 16.6   2.642   2.936    96   15.3   1:30 (180, 67)

* 77P/Longmore

Now it is visible visually at 13.6 mag (Apr. 23, Mitsunori Tsumura). It will keep 14-15 mag for a while. But it will be getting lower rapidly after this, and will be too low to observe in July. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  11 47.25   -4  2.1   2.078   2.313    90   15.4  21:04 ( 59, 30)  
June 27  11 53.70   -5 36.8   2.158   2.311    85   15.4  21:04 ( 62, 25)

* C/2008 P1 ( Garradd )

Now it is 15.2 mag (June 11, Artyom Novichonok). It keeps observable in good condition at 15 mag until late autumn. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   0 46.40   10 31.7   4.063   3.907    73   15.5   2:59 (280, 31)  
June 27   0 47.97   12  3.6   3.954   3.903    79   15.4   3:01 (283, 38)

* 144P/Kushida

It brightened much faster than expected, and reached up to 8.4 mag (Jan. 30, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It was very large and visible through binoculars. Now it is fading rapidly. But it is still bright as 15.2 mag (June 12, Artyom Novichonok). It will be too low to observe in July. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  10 22.14    6 32.2   2.294   2.103    66   15.7  21:04 ( 83, 21)  
June 27  10 35.99    5 20.4   2.408   2.151    63   16.0  21:04 ( 84, 17)

* C/2008 A1 ( McNaught )

It reached to 6.3 mag in 2008 September in the southern sky (Sept. 4, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 16.2 mag (May 8, Ken-ichi Kadota). It keeps observable in the northern sky while fading gradually. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20   2 59.03   82 46.0   4.123   3.745    61   15.7   2:59 (189, 34)  
June 27   3 51.39   83 35.3   4.195   3.819    61   15.8   3:01 (188, 34)

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

Now it is 16.7 mag (May 19, Ken-ichi Kadota), brightening as expected. It will reach up to 12 mag in 2012, and will be observable visually at 12-13 mag for a long time from 2011 to 2013. In 2009, it is observable in good condition at 16 mag from summer to autumn. In the Northern Hemisphere, the comet will be low around its brightest seasons. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  22 53.84    6 12.1   8.715   8.969   101   16.2   2:59 (308, 50)  
June 27  22 51.83    6 12.8   8.562   8.932   108   16.2   3:01 (319, 54)

* C/2008 FK75 ( Lemmon-Siding Spring )

Now it is 16.4 mag (June 12, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will reach to 15 mag in 2010. It keeps observable for a long time after this in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  15  8.34    6 56.2   5.129   5.827   129   16.7  21:13 (  0, 62)  
June 27  15  6.38    7 19.4   5.178   5.794   122   16.7  21:04 ( 11, 62)

* C/2009 F4 ( McNaught )

It will reach up to 14-15 mag from 2011 to 2012. Now it is 17.3 mag (May 1, Ken-ichi Kadota), and locates low in the south. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  15  3.83  -25 13.9   7.672   8.488   141   17.2  21:08 (  0, 30)  
June 27  15  0.86  -25 18.9   7.714   8.453   134   17.2  21:04 (  7, 29)

* 107P/(4015) Wilson-Harrington

Now it is 17.0 mag (June 17, Charles Bell). The condition is good in this apparition. It will approach to the earth down to 0.38 A.U., and will be observable in good condition at 16.5 mag in November. It keeps observable until that time after this. But it locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  16 49.83  -23 22.9   0.795   1.797   165   17.4  22:53 (  0, 32)  
June 27  16 37.84  -22 43.2   0.761   1.738   155   17.4  22:14 (  0, 32)

* 219P/2009 H1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.4 mag (June 16, P. Kocher). It will be observable at 17 mag in 2009 summer and 2010 summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  17 45.33  -12 48.9   1.866   2.871   169   17.5  23:49 (  0, 42)  
June 27  17 39.78  -12 24.8   1.854   2.848   164   17.4  23:16 (  0, 43)

* C/2008 Q1 ( Maticic )

It reached up to 15.8 mag in spring (Apr. 20, Catalina Sky Survey). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 16.8 mag (June 14, Yasukazu Ikari). It will be fainter than 18 mag in July. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 20  13 17.99   25 46.4   3.132   3.409    97   17.5  21:04 ( 74, 66)  
June 27  13 10.97   23 48.2   3.276   3.443    90   17.6  21:04 ( 78, 58)

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