Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2009 Aug. 22: North)

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Updated on September 13, 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/2006 W3 ( Christensen )

Now it is so bright as 8.2 mag (Aug. 21, 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)  
Aug. 22  20  7.76   18 57.6   2.334   3.158   137    8.1  22:03 (  0, 74)  
Aug. 29  19 54.33   15 25.1   2.381   3.169   134    8.1  21:22 (  0, 70)  

* C/2007 Q3 ( Siding Spring )

It brightened up to 9.8 mag on June 13 (Marco Goiato). Now it is not observable. But it keeps as bright as 10-11 mag for a long time untio 2010 spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, 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 locate extremely low only after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   9 32.85    3 24.0   3.296   2.313    11    9.8   3:54 (253,-18)  
Aug. 29   9 46.02    4  5.1   3.274   2.296    12    9.7   4:01 (256,-13)  

* C/2008 Q3 ( Garradd )

It brightened up to 6.7 mag in June (June 9, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading, but still bright as 9.5 mag (Aug. 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). However, it will be unobservable soon. It will appear in the morning sky again at 13 mag in November. It may be visible visually again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  12 44.28    2 12.1   2.604   1.953    40   10.1  20:10 ( 87,  8)  
Aug. 29  12 47.68    3 16.1   2.734   1.989    34   10.4  19:59 ( 90,  6)  

* C/2008 T2 ( Cardinal )

It brightened up to 8.5 mag in May and June (May 26, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading, but still bright as 10.7 mag (Aug. 22, 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)  
Aug. 22  11  2.39  -40 52.7   1.967   1.605    54   10.1  20:10 ( 60,-34)  
Aug. 29  11 30.47  -44 16.2   2.026   1.674    55   10.4  19:59 ( 56,-33)  

* 22P/Kopff

It brightened up to 8.8 mag in May and June (May 19, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is still bright as 10.4 mag (Aug. 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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)  
Aug. 22  22 52.83  -13 21.5   0.802   1.804   168   10.2   0:53 (  0, 42)  
Aug. 29  22 48.72  -14 12.2   0.830   1.837   173   10.4   0:21 (  0, 41)  

* 217P/2009 F3 ( LINEAR )

It is already so bright as 10.1 mag (Aug. 19, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It 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)  
Aug. 22   3 29.58   -3  3.5   0.585   1.246    99   11.2   3:54 (325, 46)  
Aug. 29   3 59.31   -3 16.5   0.578   1.232    98   11.0   4:01 (327, 46)  

* 88P/Howell

It is so bright as 9.8 mag visually (Aug. 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez), much brighter than this ephemeris. It keeps observable for a long time until 2010 February. It will keep 10 mag until the end of 2009. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps very low after this. It locates a bit higher in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  14 12.13  -14 41.1   1.542   1.475    66   11.8  20:10 ( 60, 14)  
Aug. 29  14 30.11  -16 28.1   1.553   1.448    64   11.5  19:59 ( 58, 13)  

* 24P/Schaumasse

It must have reached up to 11 mag in 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)  
Aug. 22  10 13.47   17 26.8   2.226   1.225     6   11.7  20:10 (122,-12)  
Aug. 29  10 39.69   15 14.3   2.239   1.240     6   12.0  19:59 (118,-12)  

* C/2009 F6 ( Yi-SWAN )

It was bright as 8-9 mag in April and May. Although it had been unobservable for a while, now it is appearing in the morning sky. It should be bright as 12 mag still now. It will be fading slowly in the low sky after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   7 44.41    3 43.8   2.737   2.002    35   11.7   3:54 (268,  4)  
Aug. 29   7 50.48    0 48.9   2.735   2.075    40   11.9   4:01 (275,  9)  

* C/2009 G1 ( STEREO )

It has been observed bright as 8-9 mag from April to June. Now it is fading. It was still bright as 11.0 mag in July (July 12, Marco Goiato). However, no observations have been reported since August. So it may have faded out rapidly. 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)  
Aug. 22   9 55.69  -50 41.6   2.485   2.210    62   12.9   3:54 (310,-45)  
Aug. 29  10  6.14  -50 31.4   2.618   2.290    60   13.2   4:01 (310,-41)  

* 116P/Wild 4

It brightened up to 11 mag in spring and summer. Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky at 15 mag in early 2010. But it locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  12 34.01   -3 58.3   2.857   2.188    40   13.2  20:10 ( 84,  2)  
Aug. 29  12 47.49   -5 31.4   2.909   2.194    37   13.3  19:59 ( 83,  0)  

* 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 had been unobservable for a while, but it is appearing in the morning sky again. Now it is 14.9 mag (Aug. 14, Ken-ichi Kadota). In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable at 15 mag in good condition from autumn to winter. It may be visible visually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   7 18.99   21  0.5   3.966   3.264    40   14.1   3:54 (257, 19)  
Aug. 29   7 19.80   20 56.2   3.944   3.339    47   14.2   4:01 (262, 26)  

* 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)  
Aug. 22   9  4.89   16 54.5   7.125   6.155    15   14.2   3:54 (246, -4)  
Aug. 29   9  9.96   16 28.5   7.091   6.156    20   14.2   4:01 (251,  1)  

* 64P/Swift-Gehrels

Appearing in the morning sky. Now it is 12.8 mag and visible visually (July 25, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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)  
Aug. 22   7 28.49   25 31.9   2.254   1.602    39   14.3   3:54 (252, 20)  
Aug. 29   7 47.64   24 30.2   2.260   1.644    41   14.5   4:01 (255, 22)  

* C/2007 G1 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 11.5 mag in last summer (Aug. 4, Marco Goiato). Now it is 15.9 mag (Aug. 12, H. Sato). It keeps observable in good condition for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be observable again also in the Northern Hemisphere after September. It will keep 15-16 mag until next spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   6 33.88  -37 32.6   4.111   3.878    69   14.5   3:54 (311, -7)  
Aug. 29   6 36.63  -37 53.5   4.119   3.927    72   14.5   4:01 (316, -3)  

* C/2006 OF2 ( Broughton )

It brightened up to 9.8 mag in winter (Dec. 28, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It faded down to 12.5 mag in May (May 26, Juan Jose Gonzalez), and became unobservable. Now it is not observable, 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)  
Aug. 22   9 26.54   16  1.8   5.271   4.279    10   14.5   3:54 (244, -8)  
Aug. 29   9 33.21   15  8.9   5.301   4.333    14   14.6   4:01 (249, -4)  

* 65P/Gunn

It was observed as bright as 13 mag in spring and summer. It will be too low to observe soon. It will brighten up to 12-13 mag in 2010 summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  13  7.53   -1 41.4   3.281   2.702    47   14.6  20:10 ( 81, 10)  
Aug. 29  13 17.16   -3  0.3   3.327   2.685    43   14.6  19:59 ( 81,  8)  

* 81P/Wild 2

Now it is 15.9 mag (Aug. 29, H. Sato). It will be getting higher after this. It will be observable bright as 9-10 mag in a good condition for a long time from winter to spring. It keeps observable until 2010 autumn when it fades down to 16 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   7 23.28   20 21.0   3.026   2.335    39   14.9   3:54 (257, 18)  
Aug. 29   7 37.76   19 52.0   2.930   2.294    42   14.7   4:01 (260, 22)  

* 222P/2009 MB9 ( LINEAR )

First return of a new bright periodic comet. It was observed as an asteroid in June. Now it is 17.3 mag by CCD observations (Aug. 3, Siding Spring Survey). However, because it looks very diffuse, the total magnitude can be around 14-15 mag. The condition in this apparition is very good. The comet will pass near by the earth and is expected to reach up to 13-14 mag. It is not observable in latter half of August temporarily. In the Northern Hemisphere, it appears in the morning sky at 15 mag in late August, then it keeps observable in a good condition. Maybe it becomes visible visually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   8 43.34    8  3.6   0.232   0.798    20   14.8   3:54 (257, -5)  
Aug. 29   8 19.85   14 32.8   0.287   0.782    32   15.2   4:01 (259, 10)  

* C/2008 P1 ( Garradd )

Now it is 14.5 mag (July 30, H. Sato). 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)  
Aug. 22   0 30.52   24 14.4   3.186   3.905   129   14.9   2:30 (  0, 79)  
Aug. 29   0 23.81   25 34.3   3.126   3.910   135   14.9   1:56 (  0, 81)  

* (3552) Don Quixote

Now it is 15.2 mag (Aug. 3, H. Sato). It passes the perihelion in September, and now it is brightest. It keeps observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It is not observable now in the Northern Hemisphere. But it will appear in the evening sky at the end of September, and then it will be getting higher while fading.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  13 54.65  -56  3.0   0.836   1.231    82   15.1  20:10 ( 31,-16)  
Aug. 29  14 40.09  -56 20.5   0.806   1.217    83   15.0  19:59 ( 28,-13)  

* C/2008 N1 ( Holmes )

Now it is 15.3 mag (Aug. 22, H. Sato). It keeps 15 mag until 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)  
Aug. 22  16  0.56   47 24.5   2.787   2.807    80   15.2  20:10 (126, 62)  
Aug. 29  15 50.24   44 30.4   2.859   2.799    76   15.3  19:59 (119, 58)  

* 199P/2008 G2 ( Shoemaker 4 )

It has brightened up to 14 mag in outburst in 2008 August. Now it is bright as 14.3 mag (July 13, H. Sato), brighter than originally expected.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  21  2.09  -41 49.2   2.187   3.086   147   15.4  22:58 (  0, 13)  
Aug. 29  20 58.73  -42 11.3   2.246   3.101   141   15.5  22:27 (  0, 13)  

* C/2009 O4 ( Hill )

Now it is 14.9 mag (Aug. 26, H. Sato). It keeps 15 mag until winter. It keeps observable in a good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it will be getting lower gradually, and it is only observable until late autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   0 21.48   -1 48.8   2.040   2.923   144   15.7   2:21 (  0, 53)  
Aug. 29   0 14.87   -5 39.3   1.949   2.889   153   15.6   1:47 (  0, 50)  

* C/2005 L3 ( McNaught )

It brightened up to 13 mag from 2007 to 2009, and it was observed visually for a long time. It will fade out gradually after this. But it keeps 16 mag until 2010 spring, and 17 mag until 2010 autumn. Although it becomes low in autumn temporarily, it keeps observable in good condition from winter to summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  13  4.63   32 22.7   7.632   6.969    46   15.7  20:10 (112, 27)  
Aug. 29  13  5.55   31 55.5   7.710   6.998    42   15.8  19:59 (113, 24)  

* C/2006 Q1 ( McNaught )

It reached to 10.9 mag in 2008 spring (May 11, Marco Goiato). It is fading slowly, but still bright as 15.0 mag (Aug. 20, H. Sato). Although it becomes low in winter temporarily, it keeps observable for a long time until 2010 spring when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  16  8.80   32 27.1   4.864   4.874    84   15.7  20:10 ( 93, 64)  
Aug. 29  16 11.86   31 40.7   4.976   4.925    81   15.8  19:59 ( 93, 61)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

Now it is 16.2 mag (Aug. 13, 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)  
Aug. 22  22 22.95    4 41.4   7.664   8.636   162   15.8   0:23 (  0, 60)  
Aug. 29  22 18.31    4 18.1   7.616   8.599   165   15.8  23:46 (  0, 59)  

* P/2009 K1 ( Gibbs )

New periodic comet. It has already passed the perihelion in late June. But unexpectedly, it keeps unusual brightening very rapidly after that. Now it became bright as 15.0 mag (July 30, D. Chestnov). It keeps observable in the evening low sky for a while after this. But it may fade out very rapidly.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  13 49.53   -6 17.8   1.728   1.484    58   15.8  20:10 ( 70, 16)  
Aug. 29  14 12.02   -8 16.8   1.791   1.522    58   16.0  19:59 ( 68, 16)  

* P/2009 L2 ( Yang-Gao )

It reached up to 12.6 mag and became visible visually in June and July (June 25, Katsumi Yoshimoto). However, it is fading rapidly after August. It has already faded down to 16.8 mag (Aug. 16, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be fainter than 18 mag in October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  18 54.72    3 45.1   0.827   1.671   130   15.8  20:52 (  0, 59)  
Aug. 29  19  2.44    3 15.9   0.911   1.718   126   16.1  20:32 (  0, 58)  

* 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4

Now it is 16.0 mag (Aug. 16, Francois Kugel). It will brighten rapidly after this. It will reach to 12 mag and become visible visually in winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time after this until 2010 spring when it fades out.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   4 33.48   13 36.7   2.176   2.239    80   16.2   3:54 (291, 49)  
Aug. 29   4 45.43   13 36.0   2.079   2.215    84   16.0   4:01 (297, 53)  

* P/2003 A1 ( LINEAR )

Appearing in the morning sky. It has not been recovered yet. But it must have already brightened up to 16.5 mag. It will be getting higher rapidly after this, and will be observable in good condition at 16 mag in autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   5 49.19   29 26.4   2.279   2.003    61   16.4   3:54 (259, 41)  
Aug. 29   6  2.57   31 29.3   2.222   2.021    65   16.3   4:01 (259, 46)  

* C/2008 FK75 ( Lemmon-Siding Spring )

Now it is 16.6 mag (Aug. 23, 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)  
Aug. 22  15  9.12    8  3.5   5.711   5.535    74   16.7  20:10 ( 69, 40)  
Aug. 29  15 11.79    7 57.8   5.775   5.504    69   16.7  19:59 ( 71, 37)  

* 47P/Ashbrook-Jackson

It brightened up to 15-16 mag in 2008 summer. It keeps observable at 17 mag in good condition for a long time until winter. It was observed as 18 mag recently, a bit fainter than this ephemeris.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   3 42.07   29 26.1   2.870   3.025    88   17.0   3:54 (276, 67)  
Aug. 29   3 47.08   30 16.4   2.792   3.040    94   17.0   4:01 (281, 73)  

* (3200) Phaethon

It passed the perihelion in June, but it was not observable, too close to the sun. Although it was predicted to be 13.5 mag, the STEREO spacecraft revealed that it brightened up to 10-11 mag, much brighter than expected. Now it is 16.4 mag (Aug. 23, C00). It keeps observable at 16-17 mag until late autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   4 35.84   45 12.2   1.169   1.350    76   17.1   3:54 (239, 58)  
Aug. 29   4 30.91   46 36.7   1.151   1.436    82   17.1   4:01 (234, 64)  

* C/2007 U1 ( LINEAR )

It reached up to 14 mag in 2008 autumn. It is still bright as 16.0 mag (July 30, H. Sato). It keeps observable around 17 mag in a good condition for a while.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  22 33.97   18 36.1   3.903   4.796   148   17.3   0:34 (  0, 74)  
Aug. 29  22 23.26   17 46.4   3.919   4.839   152   17.4  23:51 (  0, 73)  

* 107P/(4015) Wilson-Harrington

Now it is 17.4 mag (Aug. 20, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Aug. 22  16 12.02  -18 47.3   0.682   1.274    95   17.6  20:10 ( 33, 29)  
Aug. 29  16 20.85  -18 46.5   0.672   1.222    90   17.6  19:59 ( 35, 28)  

* C/2008 S3 ( Boattini )

It keeps observable at 17 mag for a long time from 2010 to 2012. Now it is 18.5 mag (Aug. 25, W. Hasubick), a bit fainter than this ephemeris.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   3 46.13   20 41.0   8.874   8.931    89   17.7   3:54 (293, 62)  
Aug. 29   3 44.44   20 42.8   8.732   8.913    97   17.7   4:01 (306, 68)  

* C/2007 VO53 ( Spacewatch )

Now it is 17.3 mag (Aug. 23, Ken-ichi Kadota). It keeps observable at 17-18 mag for a long time until 2011.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22   4 31.03   65  7.3   5.356   5.213    76   17.8   3:54 (206, 52)  
Aug. 29   4 33.25   66 48.3   5.255   5.193    81   17.8   4:01 (200, 54)  

* C/2009 K2 ( Catalina )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Aug. 14, Michael Jager). It will be getting lower in the evening sky after this. But it will be observable at 17 mag from spring to summer in 2010.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Aug. 22  16  7.53   40 59.7   3.603   3.620    82   17.9  20:10 (113, 65)  
Aug. 29  16 12.28   38 37.6   3.613   3.591    80   17.8  19:59 (107, 62)  

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