Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2009 Dec. 5: North)

Japanese version
Home page
 Updated on December 13, 2009
Last week South Next week

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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

* C/2007 Q3 ( Siding Spring )

Now it is so bright as 9.4 mag (Nov. 24, 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)  
Dec.  5  12 55.44   17 35.7   2.515   2.349    69    9.3   5:23 (286, 51)  
Dec. 12  13  9.13   19 29.4   2.452   2.373    73    9.3   5:28 (288, 56)

* 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)  
Dec.  5  20 19.05  -23  2.7   1.930   1.483    48    9.6  18:18 ( 42, 19)  
Dec. 12  20 43.40  -21 33.5   1.990   1.514    47    9.8  18:19 ( 44, 19)

* 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 unobservable soon. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky in late February, then it keeps observable for a long time. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it is only observable in the low sky in 2010 spring, then it will never be observable again. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  5  19 22.53  -14 55.1   4.175   3.450    37   10.0  18:18 ( 58, 16)  
Dec. 12  19 26.24  -15 50.5   4.281   3.479    31   10.1  18:19 ( 62, 11)

* 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)  
Dec.  5  19  7.12  -32 50.5   0.526   0.614    32   10.2  18:18 ( 48,  1)  
Dec. 12  19 10.67  -38 49.8   0.423   0.648    28   10.2  18:19 ( 47, -7)

* 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 11.2 mag (Nov. 24, 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)  
Dec.  5   6  5.59    1 18.2   0.696   1.631   151   11.2   1:12 (  0, 56)  
Dec. 12   5 57.62    3  8.1   0.732   1.685   157   11.5   0:36 (  0, 58)

* 81P/Wild 2

It has already brightened up to 10.5 mag (Nov. 24, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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)  
Dec.  5  11 10.52    5  5.7   1.548   1.779    86   11.4   5:23 (335, 58)  
Dec. 12  11 26.13    3 41.2   1.462   1.751    89   11.2   5:28 (343, 58)

* 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4

Now it is 13.5 mag, already visible visually (Nov. 18, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is visible at 12 mag 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)  
Dec.  5   6  5.45    8 12.3   1.055   1.997   156   12.1   1:11 (  0, 63)  
Dec. 12   6  1.64    8 13.9   1.033   1.991   161   12.0   0:40 (  0, 63)

* P/2009 Q4 ( Boattini )

It has brightened much faster than expected. Now it is so bright as 12.8 mag (Nov. 24, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is observable at 13 mag in good condition in December. It will be fading after January. It keeps observable in good condition for a long time. But it may fade out very rapidly. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  5   9 37.11    3 11.4   0.653   1.332   107   13.6   4:42 (  0, 58)  
Dec. 12   9 53.15    3 30.9   0.634   1.344   110   13.6   4:30 (  0, 58)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Outbursts occured repeatedly since September, and it keeps visible visually. It is bright as 11.9 mag still now (Nov. 24, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  5   9 54.03   11 48.2   5.830   6.179   106   13.8   4:59 (  0, 67)  
Dec. 12   9 54.06   11 42.0   5.724   6.180   113   13.7   4:32 (  0, 67)

* 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)  
Dec.  5  16 10.53  -22 45.4   3.353   2.382     8   14.2   5:23 (290,-11)  
Dec. 12  16 25.52  -23 26.4   3.357   2.401    11   14.3   5:28 (293, -8)

* 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)  
Dec.  5  16  6.34  -19 42.4   3.466   2.499     9   14.3   5:23 (288, -9)  
Dec. 12  16 20.43  -20 33.8   3.439   2.490    13   14.2   5:28 (291, -6)

* 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. 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)  
Dec.  5  17  7.58  -32 49.5   3.398   2.440    11   14.5  18:18 ( 63,-19)  
Dec. 12  17 16.18  -31 29.2   3.340   2.370     8   14.4   5:28 (294,-22)

* C/2008 T2 ( Cardinal )

It brightened up to 8.5 mag in May and June (May 26, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. It was still bright as 11.6 mag in October (Oct. 10, Marco Goiato). However, it is already too faint to see visually. 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)  
Dec.  5  18  4.49  -51 50.6   3.510   2.739    33   14.4  18:18 ( 40,-20)  
Dec. 12  18 22.42  -50 59.8   3.617   2.816    30   14.6  18:19 ( 42,-21)

* 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)  
Dec.  5  13 39.63   17 54.1   3.051   2.709    60   14.5   5:23 (278, 42)  
Dec. 12  13 41.29   19 51.3   2.988   2.769    67   14.7   5:28 (281, 49)

* 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 in the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until mid January. 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)  
Dec.  5  20 24.14  -44  8.0   2.405   1.918    49   14.6  18:18 ( 29,  2)  
Dec. 12  20 42.33  -41  4.7   2.424   1.886    46   14.6  18:19 ( 32,  4)

* 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)  
Dec.  5  23 20.63   -9 44.5   2.103   2.388    94   14.9  18:24 (  0, 45)  
Dec. 12  23 28.76   -8 42.7   2.231   2.430    89   15.1  18:19 (  5, 46)

* 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 15.5 mag (Nov. 14, 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)  
Dec.  5   5 56.08   21 26.5   3.390   4.345   163   15.2   1:02 (  0, 76)  
Dec. 12   5 44.13   21 23.0   3.435   4.414   173   15.3   0:23 (  0, 76)

* 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)  
Dec.  5  10 27.52    5  3.4   4.897   5.097    96   15.2   5:23 (355, 60)  
Dec. 12  10 27.49    4 37.4   4.840   5.151   103   15.2   5:05 (  0, 60)

* P/2009 T2 ( La Sagra )

New periodic comet. Brightening very rapidly. Now it is 15.7 mag (Nov. 15, 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)  
Dec.  5   1 46.25   -1 39.4   1.010   1.809   130   15.2  20:49 (  0, 53)  
Dec. 12   1 51.70   -3 42.4   1.050   1.792   123   15.2  20:27 (  0, 51)

* 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)  
Dec.  5   5 34.99  -42  2.9   4.140   4.638   114   15.2   0:41 (  0, 13)  
Dec. 12   5 25.64  -41 19.1   4.180   4.690   115   15.3   0:04 (  0, 14)

* 30P/Reinmuth 1

Now it is 15.2 mag, already visible visually (Nov. 24, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be observable at 15 mag in good condition in winter and spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  5   5 18.90   13  7.5   1.243   2.216   167   15.5   0:25 (  0, 68)  
Dec. 12   5 13.06   13 20.3   1.210   2.186   170   15.3  23:47 (  0, 68)

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

Now it is 16.4 mag (Nov. 3, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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)  
Dec.  5  21 37.66   -1  3.9   8.305   8.088    73   15.7  18:18 ( 37, 47)  
Dec. 12  21 37.62   -1 13.3   8.387   8.052    66   15.7  18:19 ( 46, 43)

* C/2008 N1 ( Holmes )

Getting higher again in the morning sky. It will be observable at 15-16 mag in good condition from winter to spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  5  15 41.45   21 23.8   3.464   2.875    46   15.8   5:23 (257, 19)  
Dec. 12  15 42.77   20 59.6   3.433   2.894    49   15.8   5:28 (261, 25)

* 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)  
Dec.  5  13 27.82   31 11.6   7.671   7.417    71   16.1   5:23 (262, 50)  
Dec. 12  13 28.33   31 40.0   7.604   7.448    77   16.1   5:28 (264, 57)

* 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)  
Dec.  5  13 13.37   -1 42.1   4.051   3.585    55   16.1   5:23 (302, 35)  
Dec. 12  13 20.36   -2 19.0   3.966   3.588    60   16.1   5:28 (309, 39)

* C/2009 U3 ( Hill )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Nov. 15, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Dec.  5   2 13.64   29  5.6   1.144   2.033   145   16.4  21:15 (  0, 84)  
Dec. 12   1 55.19   31 16.5   1.145   1.968   134   16.2  20:29 (  0, 86)

* 43P/Wolf-Harrington

Now it is 17.1 mag (Nov. 15, 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)  
Dec.  5  21  0.55   -1 53.6   2.733   2.484    65   16.4  18:18 ( 48, 42)  
Dec. 12  21  9.75   -1 39.6   2.766   2.436    60   16.3  18:19 ( 53, 39)

* (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 16.1 mag (Nov. 11, Hidetaka Sato). 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)  
Dec.  5  22  5.54    3 41.2   1.450   1.639    82   16.4  18:18 ( 31, 55)  
Dec. 12  22 20.72    6 31.4   1.562   1.695    79   16.6  18:19 ( 39, 56)

* 157P/Tritton

It brightened up to 11 mag in outburst in 2003. However, it does not seem to be so bright in this apparition. Now it is 16.3 mag (Nov. 18, J. M. Ruiz, G. Muler). 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)  
Dec.  5  23 35.44    9 35.9   1.044   1.611   105   16.5  18:39 (  0, 65)  
Dec. 12  23 44.24    9 56.3   1.063   1.572   100   16.4  18:20 (  0, 65)

* 107P/(4015) Wilson-Harrington

The condition is good in this apparition. It approached to the earth down to 0.38 A.U., and brightened up to 15.9 mag (Nov. 24, A. Sanchez). It will fading after this. It will be fainter than 18 mag in mid January. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  5  23 36.67    2 41.3   0.416   1.152   102   16.5  18:42 (  0, 58)  
Dec. 12   0 18.86    6 15.8   0.457   1.199   106   16.6  18:56 (  0, 62)

* 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)  
Dec.  5  10 16.19   17 21.2   1.948   2.373   103   16.7   5:21 (  0, 72)  
Dec. 12  10 23.12   17 11.0   1.853   2.358   108   16.5   5:00 (  0, 72)

* 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)  
Dec.  5  22 54.72   31 22.6   3.728   4.069   103   16.6  18:18 ( 51, 84)  
Dec. 12  22 54.98   31 32.2   3.839   4.087    97   16.7  18:19 ( 75, 79)

* 64P/Swift-Gehrels

Fading slowly. Now it is 16.6 mag (Nov. 15, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Dec.  5  10 15.91    9 14.9   1.981   2.365   100   16.6   5:21 (  0, 64)  
Dec. 12  10 17.34    8 40.2   1.943   2.420   106   16.7   4:55 (  0, 64)

* 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)  
Dec.  5   4 40.16   24 51.9   2.217   3.202   177   16.8  23:42 (  0, 80)  
Dec. 12   4 35.17   24 36.8   2.222   3.198   170   16.8  23:09 (  0, 80)

* P/2009 U6 ( LINEAR )

New periodic comet discovered very near by 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 and 81P/Wild 2. Now it is 17.2 mag (Nov. 3, 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)  
Dec.  5  10 50.42   12 38.3   1.571   1.908    93   17.0   5:23 (340, 66)  
Dec. 12  10 58.42   13  1.1   1.534   1.949    99   17.0   5:28 (355, 68)

* C/2008 S3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Nov. 6, C. Rinner, F. Kugel). 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)  
Dec.  5   2 43.68   18 36.4   7.796   8.673   151   17.3  21:46 (  0, 74)  
Dec. 12   2 38.95   18 21.1   7.851   8.658   143   17.3  21:13 (  0, 73)

* 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)  
Dec.  5   3 12.16   34 57.2   2.350   3.275   156   17.4  22:14 (  0, 90)  
Dec. 12   3  7.65   34 33.0   2.405   3.293   149   17.5  21:42 (  0, 90)

* C/2009 T3 ( LINEAR )

It was bright as 16.8 mag in November (Nov. 14, Ken-ichi Kadota). Now it is fading. It will be fainter than 18 mag in late December. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  5   1 21.03   23  3.4   1.535   2.322   133   17.6  20:22 (  0, 78)  
Dec. 12   0 54.85   21 26.7   1.653   2.308   120   17.7  19:28 (  0, 76)

* 127P/Holt-Olmstead

It was originally predicted to be 19 mag. However, it brightened rapidly and reached up to 15.7 mag in October (Oct. 24, L. Donato, V. Gonano, E. Guido, V. Santini, G. Sostero). However, it is fading rapidly now. It has already faded down to 17.9 mag (Nov. 21, Ken-ichi Kadota). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  5   0 33.62   11 55.8   1.562   2.218   119   17.6  19:36 (  0, 67)  
Dec. 12   0 37.25   12 44.9   1.642   2.225   113   17.8  19:13 (  0, 68)

* P/2009 W1 ( Hill )

It will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec.  5   9 58.60   29 39.2   2.516   3.007   110   17.8   5:04 (  0, 85)  
Dec. 12  10  2.10   30  9.4   2.439   3.013   116   17.7   4:40 (  0, 85)

* 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)  
Dec.  5   5 48.64   20 14.5   2.663   3.624   165   17.8   0:55 (  0, 75)  
Dec. 12   5 43.75   20 17.4   2.636   3.615   173   17.8   0:22 (  0, 75)

* 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)  
Dec.  5   7  2.41   29  9.7   4.141   5.008   148   17.8   2:08 (  0, 84)  
Dec. 12   6 58.45   29 30.2   4.084   5.001   156   17.8   1:37 (  0, 84)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

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