Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2009 Oct. 3: North)

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Updated on October 4, 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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* 88P/Howell

Now it is so bright as 8.8 mag (Oct. 3, Marco Goiato). It keeps observable for a long time until 2010 February. It will keep 9 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)  
Oct.  3  16 19.45  -24 15.2   1.615   1.367    57    8.8  19:05 ( 48, 12)  
Oct. 10  16 44.91  -25 18.2   1.633   1.364    56    8.7  18:55 ( 46, 12)  

* C/2006 W3 ( Christensen )

It reached up to 7.7 mag in summer (Aug. 13, Chris Wyatt). It is fading now, but still bright as 9.5 mag (Oct. 3, Marco Goiato). It will be getting lower gradually after this, and will be too low to observe in December. It keeps observable for a long time after 2010 in the Northern Hemisphere. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it is only observable in the low sky in 2010 spring, then it will be unobservable after that.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  19 15.25   -0 20.8   2.918   3.241    99    8.8  19:05 ( 16, 53)  
Oct. 10  19 12.34   -2 46.0   3.062   3.260    92    8.9  18:55 ( 23, 50)  

* C/2007 Q3 ( Siding Spring )

Appearing in the morning sky. It is 8.7 mag, as bright as expected (Sept. 29, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It keeps as bright as 9-10 mag for a long time until 2010 spring. It will be observable in good condition for a long time after this in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps visible visually for one year until 2010 autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  10 52.60    7 23.7   3.084   2.252    28    9.5   4:32 (268, 10)  
Oct. 10  11  6.06    8  7.6   3.032   2.252    32    9.5   4:37 (270, 14)  

* 217P/2009 F3 ( LINEAR )

Now it is so bright as 9.9 mag (Sept. 29, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will keep 10-11 mag until December. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition 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)  
Oct.  3   5 49.69   -4 34.3   0.600   1.262   101    9.8   4:32 (348, 50)  
Oct. 10   6  2.89   -4 41.5   0.606   1.287   103    9.8   4:37 (356, 50)  

* 22P/Kopff

It brightened up to 8.8 mag in May and June (May 19, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is still bright as 11.0 mag (Sept. 29, Juan Jose Gonzalez). However, it will be too faint to see visually in November. It keeps observable in the evening sky for a long time until next spring when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  22 36.55  -15 52.3   1.120   2.019   144   12.0  21:47 (  0, 39)  
Oct. 10  22 37.56  -15 38.5   1.205   2.059   138   12.3  21:21 (  0, 39)  

* 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 10.8 mag (Sept. 12, Marco Goiato). It will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be low temporarily in winter, but it keeps observable until when it fades out.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  14 10.16  -54 27.0   2.463   2.043    54   12.0  19:05 ( 40,-25)  
Oct. 10  14 42.56  -55  7.3   2.572   2.120    52   12.3  18:55 ( 38,-24)  

* C/2008 Q3 ( Garradd )

It brightened up to 6.7 mag in June (June 9, Marco Goiato). It faded down to 9.5 mag on Aug. 21 (Juan Jose Gonzalez), then it became unobservable. Now it is not observable. But 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)  
Oct.  3  13  7.54    7 26.6   3.167   2.208    13   12.0  19:05 (103, -5)  
Oct. 10  13 11.74    8 14.5   3.208   2.259    15   12.3  18:55 (105, -7)  

* 81P/Wild 2

Already bright as 12.2 mag and visible visually (Sept. 29, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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)  
Oct.  3   8 51.97   16 10.4   2.428   2.094    58   13.6   4:32 (277, 39)  
Oct. 10   9  7.10   15 11.3   2.325   2.055    61   13.3   4:37 (282, 42)  

* 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)  
Oct.  3  13 57.26  -12 56.7   3.137   2.241    22   13.6  19:05 ( 79, -7)  
Oct. 10  14 11.65  -14 18.6   3.174   2.253    18   13.6  18:55 ( 78, -8)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Appearing in the morning sky, and already bright in outburst. Now it is 11.5 mag (Sept. 29, Juan Jose Gonzalez).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   9 32.84   14 21.7   6.776   6.165    48   14.1   4:32 (273, 30)  
Oct. 10   9 36.72   13 58.2   6.688   6.166    54   14.1   4:37 (278, 35)  

* 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4

Now it is 15.4 mag (Sept. 11, A. Smirnov, E. Bryssinck). 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)  
Oct.  3   5 38.07   12 14.7   1.618   2.111   104   14.5   4:32 (348, 67)  
Oct. 10   5 46.38   11 45.5   1.534   2.093   109   14.2   4:32 (  0, 67)  

* 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)  
Oct.  3  10 42.93  -52 15.7   3.156   2.688    53   14.3   4:32 (319,-22)  
Oct. 10  10 47.59  -53  0.2   3.236   2.767    53   14.5   4:37 (322,-19)  

* 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)  
Oct.  3  12 37.06    3 11.2   2.388   1.401     7   14.5  19:05 (104,-14)  
Oct. 10  12 57.93    0 52.4   2.430   1.446     7   15.1   4:37 (260,-13)  

* 65P/Gunn

Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky again in 2010 February. It will brighten up to 12-13 mag in 2010 summer. But it locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  14 10.67   -9 34.7   3.487   2.607    24   14.5  19:05 ( 80, -2)  
Oct. 10  14 22.37  -10 51.3   3.505   2.593    20   14.5  18:55 ( 79, -4)  

* 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). Now it is fading, but still bright as 14.8 mag (Sept. 19, Yasukazu Ikari). It is observable at 15 mag in good condition until winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   7 12.86   20 52.2   3.696   3.706    82   14.6   4:32 (292, 61)  
Oct. 10   7  8.66   20 55.4   3.633   3.779    90   14.7   4:37 (305, 68)  

* C/2007 G1 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 11.5 mag in last summer (Aug. 4, Marco Goiato). Now it is 15.2 mag (Sept. 20, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Oct.  3   6 37.04  -40 34.0   4.103   4.177    87   14.8   4:32 (345, 12)  
Oct. 10   6 34.04  -41  9.5   4.093   4.227    90   14.8   4:37 (352, 13)  

* (3552) Don Quixote

Now it is 14.6 mag (Sept. 19, Hidetaka Sato). It passes the perihelion in September, and now it is brightest. It keeps observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be getting higher while fading.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  18 44.09  -39 35.2   0.767   1.251    89   14.9  19:05 ( 13, 14)  
Oct. 10  19 18.73  -33 26.0   0.797   1.277    89   14.9  18:55 ( 11, 21)  

* C/2006 OF2 ( Broughton )

It brightned up to 10 mag from late 2008 to early 2009. Now it is fading. But it is still bright as 14.6 mag (Sept. 27, Hidetaka Sato). 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)  
Oct.  3  10  2.16   10 56.0   5.313   4.605    41   14.9   4:32 (272, 22)  
Oct. 10  10  6.90   10  8.8   5.289   4.660    46   14.9   4:37 (277, 27)  

* C/2008 P1 ( Garradd )

Now it is 15.8 mag (Sept. 4, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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)  
Oct.  3  23 40.41   30  9.7   3.044   3.946   150   14.9  22:50 (  0, 85)  
Oct. 10  23 31.55   30 35.7   3.074   3.957   148   14.9  22:14 (  0, 86)  

* 222P/2009 MB9 ( LINEAR )

First return of a new bright periodic comet. It was observed as an asteroid in June, however, it unexpectely brightened up to 12.3 mag on Aug. 31 (Juan Jose Gonzalez). It was bright as 13.6 mag and visible visually still on Sept. 20 (Seiichi Yoshida). However, it is fading rapidly. It has already faded down to 15.1 mag (Sept. 30, Hidetaka Sato). It will be fainter than 18 mag in November.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   8 28.76   24 13.2   0.595   0.936    66   15.1   4:32 (271, 48)  
Oct. 10   8 37.18   24 37.2   0.639   0.999    71   15.7   4:37 (275, 53)  

* C/2009 O4 ( Hill )

Now it is 14.4 mag and visible visually (Sept. 14, Alan Hale). 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)  
Oct.  3  23 25.50  -27  4.0   1.861   2.739   144   15.2  22:35 (  0, 28)  
Oct. 10  23 14.84  -30 38.3   1.916   2.714   134   15.2  21:57 (  0, 24)  

* 64P/Swift-Gehrels

It is still bright as 13.4 mag (Oct. 1, Francois Kugel). It will be getting higher gradually while fading slowly after this. It may be visible visually still now.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   9  6.03   18 27.4   2.245   1.884    56   15.4   4:32 (273, 37)  
Oct. 10   9 18.36   17 12.7   2.230   1.935    60   15.5   4:37 (277, 41)  

* C/2008 N1 ( Holmes )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Sept. 26, Hidetaka 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)  
Oct.  3  15 30.64   32 13.4   3.236   2.785    54   15.5  19:05 (107, 36)  
Oct. 10  15 30.41   30 19.7   3.300   2.787    51   15.5  18:55 (107, 32)  

* P/2009 Q4 ( Boattini )

Brightening very rapidly, faster than expected. Now it is 16.0 mag (Sept. 26, Hidetaka Sato). It will reach up to 14 mag in winter, and maybe it will be visible visually. It keeps observable in good condition all through the time until next spring when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   6 24.15    7 17.7   0.957   1.426    93   16.0   4:32 (328, 59)  
Oct. 10   6 47.24    6 44.7   0.907   1.398    94   15.6   4:37 (333, 59)  

* 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)  
Oct.  3  21 56.25    2  2.7   7.623   8.415   140   15.7  21:07 (  0, 57)  
Oct. 10  21 52.55    1 35.2   7.670   8.379   132   15.7  20:35 (  0, 57)  

* 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 15.3 mag (Sept. 26, Hidetaka 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)  
Oct.  3  16 34.43   28 11.5   5.511   5.179    65   16.3  19:05 ( 95, 47)  
Oct. 10  16 40.08   27 37.5   5.610   5.230    62   16.4  18:55 ( 96, 45)  

* P/2009 Q5 ( McNaught )

Now it is 15.7 mag (Sept. 27, Francois Kugel). Now it is brightest, and it will be fading after October. It keeps observable until January when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   1 23.68  -27  8.8   2.035   2.925   146   16.4   0:38 (  0, 28)  
Oct. 10   1 20.76  -28 47.8   2.059   2.929   144   16.4   0:07 (  0, 26)  

* (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)  
Oct.  3   3  6.22   51 10.4   1.034   1.790   123   16.9   2:21 (180, 74)  
Oct. 10   2 37.31   50 29.4   1.027   1.848   131   16.8   1:25 (180, 74)  

* 157P/Tritton

It brightened up to 11 mag in outburst in 2003. Now it is 17.1 mag (Sept. 20, Hidetaka Sato). It will be observable in good condition in winter. Maybe it brightens up to 14 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  23 48.09   12 57.3   1.037   2.020   165   17.2  22:58 (  0, 68)  
Oct. 10  23 40.42   12 28.6   1.006   1.972   159   16.9  22:23 (  0, 67)  

* 47P/Ashbrook-Jackson

It brightened up to 15-16 mag in 2008 summer. Now it is 17.4 mag (Sept. 15, A. Novichonok, V. Nevski, D. Chestnov). It keeps observable at 17 mag in good condition for a long time until winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   3 56.34   33 55.6   2.438   3.118   124   16.9   3:10 (  0, 89)  
Oct. 10   3 54.52   34 29.5   2.383   3.134   131   17.0   2:41 (  0, 89)  

* 30P/Reinmuth 1

Now it is 17.8 mag (Sept. 20, Yasukazu Ikari). It will brighten rapidly after this, and will be observable at 15 mag in good condition in winter and spring. It may be visible visually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   5 19.51   14  2.2   1.993   2.510   109   17.2   4:32 (359, 69)  
Oct. 10   5 24.41   13 52.6   1.881   2.476   115   17.0   4:10 (  0, 69)  

* 43P/Wolf-Harrington

Now it is 17.4 mag (Sept. 16, A. Novichonok, V. Nevski, D. Chestnov). The condition of this apparition is bad. It will reach up to 11-12 mag from spring to autumn in 2010, but it is not observable. It will be getting brighter gradually in the evening sky, but it will be too low to observe in January at 15 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  20 18.65    0 24.6   2.320   2.897   115   17.2  19:30 (  0, 55)  
Oct. 10  20 18.91   -0 10.3   2.364   2.853   109   17.1  19:02 (  0, 55)  

* 107P/(4015) Wilson-Harrington

Now it is 16.7 mag (Aug. 14, Katsumi Yoshimoto). 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)  
Oct.  3  17 43.95  -18 38.1   0.556   1.024    76   17.3  19:05 ( 35, 28)  
Oct. 10  18  9.04  -18 12.8   0.522   1.005    75   17.2  18:55 ( 33, 30)  

* 2009 QY6

Peculiar asteroid moving along a cometary orbit. Now it is 16.9 mag (Sept. 25, Hidetaka Sato). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in mid October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   0 44.82  -14 57.0   1.097   2.069   161   17.3  23:52 (  0, 39)  
Oct. 10   0 10.55  -22  0.9   1.150   2.070   148   17.6  22:51 (  0, 33)  

* C/2007 VO53 ( Spacewatch )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Sept. 4, 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)  
Oct.  3   4 14.48   75 47.9   4.798   5.100   101   17.5   3:29 (180, 49)  
Oct. 10   3 58.39   77 30.7   4.726   5.083   105   17.4   2:46 (180, 48)  

* 203P/2008 R4 ( Korlevic )

Now it is 17.7 mag (Aug. 31, D. Cardenosa and R. Lozano). This comet tends to brighten after the perihelion passage. It will reach up to 16-17 mag in 2010 and 2011.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   4 59.70   25 28.6   2.727   3.256   113   17.6   4:13 (  0, 80)  
Oct. 10   5  1.50   25 33.2   2.634   3.248   119   17.4   3:47 (  0, 81)  

* C/2008 S3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 18.0 mag (Sept. 21, Mt. Lemmon Survey). It keeps observable at 17 mag for a long time from 2010 to 2012.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   3 29.26   20 30.6   8.090   8.823   134   17.5   2:43 (  0, 76)  
Oct. 10   3 24.92   20 23.3   7.991   8.805   142   17.5   2:11 (  0, 75)  

* 127P/Holt-Olmstead

It became much brighter than expected. It was originally predicted to be 19 mag, but now it is 16.4 mag (Sept. 25, Hidetaka Sato). It will be observable in good condition at 17-18 mag until November.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   1  2.69    6 42.3   1.203   2.199   172   17.5   0:17 (  0, 62)  
Oct. 10   0 55.91    7 13.0   1.199   2.197   178   17.5  23:38 (  0, 62)  

* 226P/2009 R2 ( Pigott-LINEAR-Kowalski )

Comet Pigott, which has been lost over 200 years since 1783, is identified with a comet discovered in 2003 by LINEAR. Now it is 17.6 mag (Sept. 11, Catalina Sky Survey). Getting higher, but it will be fainter than 18 mag in October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   8 40.69   47 51.8   2.279   2.201    72   17.5   4:32 (235, 51)  
Oct. 10   8 58.93   49 15.2   2.245   2.236    76   17.7   4:37 (233, 53)  

* 2008 SO218

Peculiar asteroid moving along a cometary orbit. Now it is 18.1 mag (Sept. 12, Hidetaka Sato). It will be fading after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   0 42.19   -0 48.9   2.601   3.599   175   17.7  23:51 (  0, 54)  
Oct. 10   0 25.74   -2 15.3   2.610   3.591   167   17.9  23:07 (  0, 53)  

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