Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2009 Nov. 21: South)

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Updated on November 29, 2009
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Southern Hemisphere.
Azimuth indicates 0 for south, 90 for west, 180 for north, 270 for east.

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* 88P/Howell

It reached up to 8.4 mag in October (Oct. 20, Marco Goiato). It is bright as 9.4 mag still now (Nov. 12, Marco Goiato). It keeps observable for a long time until 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)  
Nov. 21  19 27.54  -25 22.4   1.826   1.431    51    9.1  20:29 ( 76, 25)  
Nov. 28  19 53.73  -24 19.8   1.876   1.455    50    9.3  20:38 ( 76, 23)  

* C/2007 Q3 ( Siding Spring )

Now it is so bright as 9.5 mag (Oct. 26, 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)  
Nov. 21  12 27.95   14 22.6   2.648   2.309    59    9.3   3:02 (253, -1)  
Nov. 28  12 41.71   15 53.7   2.581   2.328    64    9.3   2:57 (251, -1)  

* 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 9.3 mag (Nov. 8, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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)  
Nov. 21  19 16.16  -12 47.1   3.933   3.396    50    9.8  20:29 ( 86, 16)  
Nov. 28  19 19.14  -13 54.3   4.059   3.422    44    9.9  20:38 ( 80, 10)  

* 169P/NEAT

Although CCD observers reported it as faint as 15-16 mag, it looks bright visually as 12.9 mag (Nov. 18, Alan Hale). Juan Jose Gonzalez reported it was significantly bright as 9.2 mag on Nov. 18. It is expected to reach up to 10 mag in December. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable all through this apparition, although it becomes low in November and December. Especially, it will be observable in the excellent condition after January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in the evening low sky until late November when it becomes 11 mag. It will appear in the morning sky at 14 mag in late January, then it keeps observable while fading gradually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21  18 37.66  -25 16.1   0.755   0.634    39   11.2  20:29 ( 70, 16)  
Nov. 28  18 55.01  -28 28.7   0.639   0.609    36   10.5  20:38 ( 64, 14)  

* 217P/2009 F3 ( LINEAR )

An outburst occured on Oct. 13, and it reached up to 8.5 mag on Oct. 15 (Toru Yusa). The central nucleus shined like a bright star, and the dust coma looked like 17P/Holmes in outburst. However, the comet returned to the normal state within a few days. Now it is 10.6 mag (Nov. 13, Marco Goiato). 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)  
Nov. 21   6 19.19   -1 44.4   0.651   1.528   136   10.6   2:20 (180, 57)  
Nov. 28   6 13.02   -0 20.5   0.669   1.578   144   10.9   1:46 (180, 55)  

* 81P/Wild 2

It has already brightened up to 11.2 mag (Oct. 26, 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)  
Nov. 21  10 39.36    7 52.7   1.729   1.840    80   11.9   3:02 (241, 23)  
Nov. 28  10 54.93    6 29.7   1.637   1.809    83   11.6   2:57 (241, 25)  

* 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4

Now it is 13.6 mag, already visible visually (Oct. 26, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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)  
Nov. 21   6  9.57    8 38.7   1.131   2.012   143   12.5   2:10 (180, 46)  
Nov. 28   6  8.18    8 21.1   1.088   2.004   149   12.3   1:41 (180, 47)  

* P/2009 Q4 ( Boattini )

Brightening very rapidly, faster than expected. Now it is 13.8 mag and visible visually (Oct. 26, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be observable visually at 13-14 mag in winter. It keeps observable in good condition all through this apparition until next spring when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21   9  0.17    3 19.5   0.697   1.321   101   13.6   3:02 (222, 43)  
Nov. 28   9 19.37    3  8.5   0.674   1.324   104   13.5   2:57 (221, 43)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Outbursts occured repeatedly since September, and it keeps visible visually. It is bright as 11.9 mag still now (Nov. 14, Marco Goiato).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21   9 52.42   12  8.2   6.052   6.176    92   13.8   3:02 (229, 28)  
Nov. 28   9 53.48   11 56.9   5.940   6.177    99   13.8   2:57 (224, 31)  

* 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 11.6 mag (Oct. 10, 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)  
Nov. 21  17 24.35  -53 26.0   3.283   2.585    38   13.9  20:29 ( 37, 19)  
Nov. 28  17 45.18  -52 39.7   3.399   2.662    35   14.2  20:38 ( 36, 16)  

* C/2008 Q3 ( Garradd )

It brightened up to 6.7 mag in June (June 9, Marco Goiato). Now it is 13.3 mag (Nov. 7, Ken-ichi Kadota), a bit brighter than this ephemeris. It must be visible visually still now. It will be fading after this, and keeps observable until next spring when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21  13 34.54   14 37.8   3.157   2.590    47   14.0   3:02 (262,-15)  
Nov. 28  13 37.34   16 10.0   3.108   2.649    53   14.2   2:57 (259,-12)  

* 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)  
Nov. 21  15 40.47  -21  7.6   3.332   2.345     1   14.1   3:02 (311,-16)  
Nov. 28  15 55.51  -21 59.1   3.345   2.363     4   14.1   2:57 (311,-14)  

* 22P/Kopff

It brightened up to 8.8 mag in May and June (May 19, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is still bright as 12.0 mag (Nov. 13, Marco Goiato). However, it will be too faint to see visually soon. 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)  
Nov. 21  23  5.60  -11 40.6   1.853   2.304   104   14.3  20:29 (135, 60)  
Nov. 28  23 12.88  -10 44.0   1.976   2.346    99   14.6  20:38 (126, 54)  

* 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)  
Nov. 21  15 38.79  -17 47.9   3.505   2.519     2   14.3   3:02 (309,-18)  
Nov. 28  15 52.46  -18 47.1   3.488   2.509     5   14.3   2:57 (308,-16)  

* C/2009 K5 ( McNaught )

It is expected to reach up to 10 mag and to be observable in good condition in 2010 spring. Now it is not observable in the Northern Hemisphere. It will be unobservable also in the Southern Hemisphere in late November. Then it will appear in the morning sky at 13 mag in late January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21  16 50.74  -35 24.8   3.479   2.582    21   14.8  20:29 ( 48,  3)  
Nov. 28  16 59.10  -34  7.6   3.444   2.511    16   14.7  20:38 ( 45, -2)  

* 126P/IRAS

Now it is 15.7 mag (Sept. 19, Hidetaka Sato). It will be 14 mag from winter to spring in 2010. But the condition is bad. Now it is not observable in the Northern Hemisphere, but it is observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It keeps observable until mid January in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky at 15 mag in late May in 2010, then it keeps observable while fading gradually after that.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21  19 45.03  -49 53.3   2.370   1.988    55   14.8  20:29 ( 51, 37)  
Nov. 28  20  5.07  -47  4.5   2.387   1.952    52   14.7  20:38 ( 53, 34)  

* 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 15.4 mag (Oct. 18, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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)  
Nov. 21   6 19.50   21 25.8   3.365   4.205   144   15.0   2:21 (180, 34)  
Nov. 28   6  7.98   21 27.4   3.368   4.275   153   15.1   1:42 (180, 34)  

* C/2007 G1 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 11.5 mag in last summer (Aug. 4, Marco Goiato). Now it is 15.6 mag (Oct. 31, Hidetaka Sato). It keeps observable in good condition for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere. Now it became observable again also in the Northern Hemisphere. It will keep 15-16 mag until next spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21   5 53.80  -42 51.4   4.090   4.534   110   15.1   1:55 (  0, 82)  
Nov. 28   5 44.47  -42 33.7   4.111   4.586   112   15.2   1:18 (  0, 82)  

* 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 15.3 mag (Nov. 2, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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)  
Nov. 21  10 25.69    6  4.8   5.015   4.988    82   15.1   3:02 (240, 27)  
Nov. 28  10 26.91    5 32.6   4.956   5.042    89   15.2   2:57 (236, 31)  

* P/2009 T2 ( La Sagra )

New periodic comet. Brightening very rapidly. Now it is 15.8 mag (Nov. 7, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will brighten up to 15 mag and will be observable in good condition in winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21   1 39.87    3 44.7   0.954   1.854   145   15.4  21:37 (180, 51)  
Nov. 28   1 42.31    0 50.4   0.977   1.830   137   15.3  21:12 (180, 54)  

* 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)  
Nov. 21  10 52.21  -59  2.6   3.531   3.232    64   15.3   3:02 (321, 46)  
Nov. 28  10 47.70  -60  8.8   3.554   3.308    67   15.4   2:57 (324, 49)  

* 30P/Reinmuth 1

Now it is 15.6 mag (Nov. 9, J. M. Ruiz). 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)  
Nov. 21   5 28.13   12 59.8   1.345   2.277   154   15.8   1:29 (180, 42)  
Nov. 28   5 24.03   13  0.9   1.288   2.246   161   15.6   0:58 (180, 42)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

Now it is 16.6 mag (Oct. 24, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Nov. 21  21 38.86   -0 37.6   8.132   8.160    88   15.7  20:29 (121, 37)  
Nov. 28  21 38.06   -0 52.0   8.220   8.124    80   15.7  20:38 (113, 30)  

* (3552) Don Quixote

It passed the perihelion in September, and brightened up to 14.6 mag (Sept. 19, Hidetaka Sato). It is fading now, but still bright as 15.5 mag (Nov. 3, Charles Bell). It keeps observable in good condition until February when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21  21 33.31   -2 54.9   1.239   1.531    86   16.0  20:29 (118, 38)  
Nov. 28  21 49.80    0 33.6   1.342   1.584    84   16.2  20:38 (117, 32)  

* C/2005 L3 ( McNaught )

It brightened up to 13 mag and observed visually from 2007 to 2009. Due to the far distance, it is bright as 15.5 mag still now (Oct. 30, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be observable in good condition again from winter to spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21  13 25.82   30 28.6   7.791   7.355    60   16.0   3:02 (247,-21)  
Nov. 28  13 26.97   30 47.8   7.734   7.386    65   16.1   2:57 (244,-18)  

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

It was observed as 15-16 mag in early 2009. In 2010, it will be observable at 15.5 mag in good condition from winter to spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21  12 58.49   -0 19.6   4.204   3.580    45   16.2   3:02 (270,  1)  
Nov. 28  13  6.07   -1  2.3   4.131   3.582    50   16.2   2:57 (268,  4)  

* 64P/Swift-Gehrels

Fading slowly. Now it is 15.9 mag (Nov. 5, Ken-ichi Kadota). It keeps observable in good condition until February when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21  10  8.89   10 44.6   2.059   2.257    88   16.4   3:02 (233, 26)  
Nov. 28  10 13.08    9 56.6   2.020   2.311    94   16.5   2:57 (230, 30)  

* 107P/(4015) Wilson-Harrington

Now it is 16.4 mag (Nov. 5, Michael Jager). 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)  
Nov. 21  22  1.99   -5 23.3   0.380   1.070    91   16.4  20:29 (123, 45)  
Nov. 28  22 50.44   -1 18.4   0.390   1.108    97   16.4  20:38 (130, 44)  

* C/2008 P1 ( Garradd )

Now it is 16.1 mag (Nov. 3, Ken-ichi Kadota). It has a very long tail in spite of the distance. It passed the perihelion in 2009, but it was brighter in 2008. It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in next spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21  22 57.24   31 13.7   3.518   4.036   115   16.4  20:29 (159, 20)  
Nov. 28  22 55.45   31 16.7   3.621   4.052   109   16.5  20:38 (151, 17)  

* 43P/Wolf-Harrington

Now it is 17.4 mag (Nov. 3, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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)  
Nov. 21  20 44.42   -2  2.8   2.653   2.578    74   16.6  20:29 (109, 28)  
Nov. 28  20 52.09   -2  1.4   2.695   2.531    69   16.5  20:38 (104, 22)  

* 157P/Tritton

It brightened up to 11 mag in outburst in 2003. Now it is 17.0 mag (Nov. 3, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be observable in good condition in winter. But it seems to brighten only up to 16 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21  23 24.04    9 30.1   1.007   1.694   116   16.6  20:29 (157, 43)  
Nov. 28  23 28.67    9 27.2   1.025   1.652   110   16.5  20:38 (148, 40)  

* C/2009 U3 ( Hill )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Nov. 5, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be observable at 15.5 mag in the evening sky from winter to spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21   2 51.46   24 20.2   1.193   2.166   166   16.7  22:47 (180, 30)  
Nov. 28   2 32.75   26 45.7   1.159   2.099   155   16.5  22:01 (180, 28)  

* 203P/2008 R4 ( Korlevic )

Now it is 16.5 mag (Nov. 10, R. Benavides). This comet tends to brighten after the perihelion passage. It will be observable at 16-17 mag in 2010 and 2011.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21   4 49.97   25 16.8   2.249   3.211   164   16.9   0:51 (180, 30)  
Nov. 28   4 45.19   25  5.4   2.226   3.206   172   16.9   0:19 (180, 30)  

* P/2009 U6 ( LINEAR )

New periodic comet discovered very near by 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 and 81P/Wild 2. Now it is 16.8 mag (Oct. 19, Ken-ichi Kadota). It keeps observable in good condition at 17 mag for a while until winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21  10 30.49   12 22.5   1.644   1.827    83   16.9   3:02 (236, 22)  
Nov. 28  10 41.07   12 25.9   1.607   1.866    88   16.9   2:57 (234, 24)  

* 94P/Russell 4

Now it is 18.0 mag (Nov. 21, C. Rinner, F. Kugel). It will be brightening rapidly after this. It will reach up to 15 mag from winter to spring, and will be observable in good condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21   9 59.87   17 57.7   2.145   2.406    92   17.1   3:02 (226, 22)  
Nov. 28  10  8.40   17 37.1   2.045   2.389    97   16.9   2:57 (223, 25)  

* 127P/Holt-Olmstead

It became much brighter than expected. It was originally predicted to be 19 mag, but now it is 16.2 mag (Oct. 18, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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)  
Nov. 21   0 30.65   10 28.6   1.418   2.206   132   17.2  20:29 (180, 44)  
Nov. 28   0 31.38   11 10.3   1.487   2.211   125   17.4  20:38 (168, 43)  

* 47P/Ashbrook-Jackson

It brightened up to 15-16 mag in 2008 summer. Now it is 17.2 mag (Oct. 26, J. Gonzalez). 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)  
Nov. 21   3 23.55   35 33.3   2.279   3.238   163   17.2  23:20 (180, 19)  
Nov. 28   3 17.54   35 17.9   2.307   3.256   161   17.3  22:47 (180, 20)  

* C/2007 VO53 ( Spacewatch )

Now it is 16.9 mag (Nov. 7, Katsumi Yoshimoto). 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)  
Nov. 21  23 51.28   80 27.8   4.501   4.994   114   17.3  20:29 (178,-26)  
Nov. 28  23 19.43   79 22.1   4.500   4.981   113   17.2  20:38 (175,-25)  

* C/2008 S3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 17.8 mag (Oct. 20, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Nov. 21   2 53.92   19  7.9   7.737   8.705   167   17.3  22:51 (180, 36)  
Nov. 28   2 48.69   18 52.1   7.758   8.689   159   17.3  22:18 (180, 36)  

* C/2009 T3 ( LINEAR )

It will reach up to 17.5 mag and will be observable in good condition in November and December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21   2 31.15   25 46.8   1.398   2.357   161   17.4  22:25 (180, 29)  
Nov. 28   1 53.41   24 36.2   1.447   2.338   147   17.5  21:21 (180, 30)  

* (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 (Oct. 29, S. Wakuda). It keeps observable at 16-17 mag until late autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21   0 36.99   34  1.5   1.301   2.126   136   17.5  20:34 (180, 21)  
Nov. 28   0 31.23   31 18.4   1.398   2.162   129   17.7  20:38 (171, 23)  

* 31P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 2

It will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition in early 2010 and early 2011.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21   5 56.85   20 10.3   2.757   3.642   149   17.9   1:58 (180, 35)  
Nov. 28   5 53.07   20 12.1   2.703   3.633   157   17.9   1:26 (180, 35)  

* P/2004 F3 ( NEAT )

New periodic comet which brightened up to 14 mag in 2004 and 2005. It should be observable at 18 mag also around the aphelion. However, no observations have been reported since 2008 January. It seems to have faded out rapidly. Now it is fainter than 20.4 mag actually (Sept. 16, Leonid Elenin).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 21   7  8.38   28 28.5   4.292   5.022   133   17.9   3:02 (182, 27)  
Nov. 28   7  5.74   28 48.9   4.211   5.015   140   17.9   2:39 (180, 26)  

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