Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2010 Jan. 9: North)

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Updated on January 11, 2010
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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/2007 Q3 ( Siding Spring )

Now it is so bright as 9.6 mag (Dec. 29, Maik Meyer). It keeps as bright as 9-10 mag for a long time until 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)  
Jan.  9  14  2.18   29  3.8   2.254   2.491    92    9.3   5:38 (287, 74)  
Jan. 16  14 14.63   31 54.0   2.224   2.525    96    9.4   5:38 (282, 78)  

* 81P/Wild 2

Now it is so bright as 10.3 mag (Dec. 29, Maik Meyer). It keeps 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)  
Jan.  9  12 27.71   -1 38.9   1.154   1.658   101   10.4   5:14 (  0, 53)  
Jan. 16  12 42.54   -2 48.8   1.088   1.641   104   10.2   5:02 (  0, 52)  

* C/2006 W3 ( Christensen )

It reached up to 7.7 mag in summer (Aug. 13, Chris Wyatt). It is fading now. It has already faded down to 10.2 mag (Dec. 11, Carlos Labordena). Now it is not observable. 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 spring, then it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  19 43.03  -18 52.6   4.578   3.602     6   10.5  18:35 ( 75,-12)  
Jan. 16  19 47.41  -19 31.8   4.618   3.635     1   10.6   5:38 (282,-17)  

* 88P/Howell

It reached up to 8.4 mag in October (Oct. 20, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading. But it is bright as 9.7 mag still now (Dec. 20, Marco Goiato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in the low sky until February when it fades down to 13.5 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  22 10.63  -14 20.9   2.269   1.659    41   11.2  18:35 ( 56, 19)  
Jan. 16  22 30.05  -12 23.6   2.346   1.700    39   11.6  18:40 ( 60, 18)  

* 169P/NEAT

It was very bright visually as 9.2 mag (Nov. 18, Juan Jose Gonzalez) and 11.6 mag (Dec. 7, Chris Wyatt) until around the perihelion passage. However, now it is so faint as 16.3 mag (Jan. 5, Hidetaka Sato), and looks almost completely stellar with no coma. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable in the excellent condition after January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable now. But it will appear in the morning sky in late January, then it keeps observable while fading gradually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  12 45.53  -69 26.8   0.197   0.942    72   11.8   5:37 (  0,-15)  
Jan. 16  10 24.82  -53 47.0   0.198   1.031    98   12.6   2:47 (  0,  0)  

* 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4

Now it is 12.7 mag (Dec. 16, Marco Goiato). It is a bit fainter than expected. 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)  
Jan.  9   5 44.64   10 10.1   1.053   1.985   154   12.0  22:29 (  0, 65)  
Jan. 16   5 42.34   11  1.1   1.084   1.987   147   12.1  21:59 (  0, 66)  

* 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 12.1 mag (Dec. 18, Marco Goiato). It will fade out rapidly, and will be fainter than 14 mag in late January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time until spring when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   5 33.66   10 43.6   0.984   1.909   152   13.0  22:18 (  0, 66)  
Jan. 16   5 31.54   12 23.2   1.074   1.967   145   13.4  21:48 (  0, 68)  

* C/2009 K5 ( McNaught )

It is expected to reach up to 10 mag and to be observable in good condition in 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)  
Jan.  9  17 51.14  -25 22.5   2.988   2.096    20   13.6   5:38 (299, -3)  
Jan. 16  17 59.92  -23 31.7   2.872   2.030    25   13.4   5:38 (300,  1)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Outbursts occured repeatedly since September, and it keeps visible visually. It is bright as 12.0 mag still now (Dec. 12, Juan Jose Gonzalez).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   9 48.96   11 43.5   5.373   6.186   142   13.6   2:36 (  0, 67)  
Jan. 16   9 46.53   11 49.9   5.311   6.188   150   13.6   2:07 (  0, 67)  

* 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)  
Jan.  9  17 18.19  -23 15.5   3.286   2.462    28   14.1   5:38 (302,  4)  
Jan. 16  17 32.81  -23 44.5   3.237   2.456    31   14.0   5:38 (305,  6)  

* 126P/IRAS

Now it is 15.6 mag (Dec. 6, A. Maury, J. B. de Vanssay, F. Mallia, F. Kugel). 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)  
Jan.  9  21 47.73  -28  4.3   2.512   1.781    33   14.3  18:35 ( 50,  5)  
Jan. 16  22  2.61  -24 41.7   2.536   1.762    30   14.2  18:40 ( 56,  4)  

* C/2009 O2 ( Catalina )

It is expected to be bright as 9-10 mag in the northern sky in March and April. It must have been observable in the morning sky until mid December. However, few observations have been reported since October. Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky at 13.5 mag in late January, then it will brighten rapidly. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be observable in the low sky after the perihelion passage only.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  19 25.92    0  6.4   2.409   1.545    22   14.8  18:35 ( 94, -5)  
Jan. 16  19 32.86    1 47.8   2.294   1.443    23   14.4   5:38 (267, -2)  

* 116P/Wild 4

It brightened up to 11 mag in spring and summer in 2009. Now it is not observable. It will be observable again in the morning sky after late January. But it locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  17 24.26  -25 16.7   3.324   2.485    26   14.6   5:38 (303,  2)  
Jan. 16  17 38.42  -25 31.6   3.304   2.507    30   14.6   5:38 (305,  4)  

* P/2009 Q4 ( Boattini )

It has brightened much faster than expected. Now it is so bright as 11.8 mag (Dec. 12, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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)  
Jan.  9  10 35.40    8 11.6   0.583   1.436   131   14.6   3:22 (  0, 63)  
Jan. 16  10 39.61   10 12.5   0.581   1.467   137   15.0   2:59 (  0, 65)  

* 30P/Reinmuth 1

Now it is 13.4 mag, already visible visually (Dec. 24, Marco Goiato). 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)  
Jan.  9   4 52.26   15 17.4   1.198   2.078   144   15.0  21:36 (  0, 70)  
Jan. 16   4 49.96   16  0.9   1.221   2.054   137   15.0  21:07 (  0, 71)  

* 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 16.0 mag (Dec. 1, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be observable in good condition again in winter at 15-16 mag. Then it may be still visible visually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  10 21.10    3 28.4   4.658   5.369   132   15.3   3:08 (  0, 58)  
Jan. 16  10 18.09    3 20.1   4.634   5.424   139   15.3   2:38 (  0, 58)  

* P/2009 T2 ( La Sagra )

New periodic comet, brightened very rapidly. Now it is 14.8 mag and visible visually (Dec. 4, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is observable at 15 mag in good condition in winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   2 27.10   -7 48.6   1.259   1.755   102   15.3  19:12 (  0, 47)  
Jan. 16   2 38.74   -8  1.0   1.319   1.755    98   15.4  18:57 (  0, 47)  

* P/2005 JQ5 ( Catalina )

It will pass the perihelion in late December. It will brighten very rapidly near by the perihelion. However, the condition is very bad in this apparition. Extremely hard to recover.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  20 56.21  -19 56.8   1.661   0.842    22   15.4  18:35 ( 64,  2)  
Jan. 16  21 34.56  -17 25.5   1.660   0.871    24   15.7  18:40 ( 65,  4)  

* 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)  
Jan.  9  19 22.65  -47 37.0   3.980   3.121    25   15.4  18:35 ( 50,-29)  
Jan. 16  19 35.29  -46 49.3   4.052   3.197    25   15.6   5:38 (310,-27)  

* C/2008 Q3 ( Garradd )

It brightened up to 6.7 mag in June (June 9, Marco Goiato). Now it is 14.2 mag (Dec. 14, 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)  
Jan.  9  13 38.29   30 11.4   2.729   3.015    97   15.5   5:38 (293, 79)  
Jan. 16  13 34.05   33 23.4   2.678   3.077   104   15.8   5:38 (297, 86)  

* 43P/Wolf-Harrington

It had been brightening as expected until Dec. 29 when it was 16.4 mag (Ken-ichi Kadota). However, it was reported bright as 14.2 mag on Jan. 3 (W. Hasubick). Maybe an outburst. 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)  
Jan.  9  21 53.01    0 19.3   2.851   2.243    43   15.7  18:35 ( 71, 25)  
Jan. 16  22  5.27    1  4.2   2.859   2.194    39   15.6  18:40 ( 76, 22)  

* C/2007 G1 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 11.5 mag in 2008 summer (Aug. 4, Marco Goiato). Now it is 15.8 mag (Dec. 18, A. Novichonok, A. Smirnov, S. Plaksa). 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)  
Jan.  9   4 54.17  -36 30.4   4.445   4.898   111   15.6  21:38 (  0, 19)  
Jan. 16   4 48.55  -34 58.0   4.537   4.951   109   15.7  21:05 (  0, 20)  

* 94P/Russell 4

Now it is 16.8 mag (Dec. 20, J. M. Trigo-Rodriguez). It is expected to brighten rapidly and to be observable at 15 mag in good condition from winter to spring. However, it is a bit fainter than this ephemeris recently.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  10 39.99   17 41.6   1.521   2.306   132   15.8   3:27 (  0, 73)  
Jan. 16  10 40.97   18  8.5   1.455   2.296   139   15.6   3:01 (  0, 73)  

* 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)  
Jan.  9  21 40.53   -1 26.6   8.636   7.908    39   15.7  18:35 ( 72, 21)  
Jan. 16  21 41.85   -1 24.3   8.673   7.872    33   15.7  18:40 ( 77, 15)  

* C/2008 N1 ( Holmes )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Dec. 18, Ken-ichi Kadota), a bit fainter than this ephemeris. It will be observable at 16 mag in good condition until spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  15 43.26   20 55.3   3.206   2.984    68   15.8   5:38 (279, 50)  
Jan. 16  15 41.52   21 17.3   3.129   3.010    74   15.8   5:38 (284, 56)  

* C/2009 U3 ( Hill )

Now it is 15.7 mag (Dec. 27, Yasukazu Ikari). It will be observable at 15.5 mag in the evening sky until spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   1  2.93   38 48.5   1.253   1.728   100   15.9  18:35 (116, 80)  
Jan. 16   0 56.55   40 40.0   1.289   1.675    93   15.8  18:40 (115, 72)  

* C/2007 N3 ( Lulin )

It passed near by the earth in late February in 2009, and it reached up to 4.9 mag (Feb. 23, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is 16.2 mag (Dec. 22, R. Garcia). It will be low in the evening sky at 17-18 mag in 2010 spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   5  1.83   20 49.5   3.825   4.688   147   15.8  21:45 (  0, 76)  
Jan. 16   4 53.71   20 39.6   3.970   4.755   138   15.9  21:10 (  0, 76)  

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

Now it is 16.6 mag (Dec. 5, Ken-ichi Kadota). It was observed as 15-16 mag in early 2009. In 2010, it will be observable at 16 mag in good condition from winter to spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  13 44.13   -4 10.9   3.590   3.602    82   15.9   5:38 (340, 49)  
Jan. 16  13 48.75   -4 28.9   3.491   3.606    88   15.9   5:38 (348, 50)  

* 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 15.7 mag still now (Dec. 28, P. C. Sherrod). It will be observable in good condition again until spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  13 25.88   34 17.1   7.322   7.574   101   16.1   5:38 (274, 83)  
Jan. 16  13 23.91   35  5.2   7.258   7.605   107   16.1   5:38 (269, 89)  

* 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 16.2 mag (Dec. 26, 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)  
Jan.  9   0 37.64   13  2.0   1.139   1.443    85   16.2  18:35 ( 41, 63)  
Jan. 16   0 55.05   14  8.5   1.157   1.419    82   16.1  18:40 ( 49, 61)  

* C/2008 FK75 ( Lemmon-Siding Spring )

Appearing in the morning sky. It will be observable at 15 mag for a long time in 2010.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  16 59.69   10 43.1   5.593   4.983    47   16.2   5:38 (277, 29)  
Jan. 16  17  6.34   11 29.9   5.508   4.960    51   16.2   5:38 (280, 34)  

* 22P/Kopff

It brightened up to 8.8 mag in May and June (May 19, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It has already faded down to 15.7 mag (Dec. 23, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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)  
Jan.  9   0  4.06   -4 20.4   2.749   2.597    70   16.2  18:35 ( 38, 44)  
Jan. 16   0 13.36   -3 12.9   2.877   2.639    66   16.4  18:40 ( 45, 41)  

* 203P/2008 R4 ( Korlevic )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Dec. 18, Ken-ichi Kadota). This comet tends to brighten after the perihelion passage. It will be observable at 16 mag in 2010 and 2011. It is brighter than this ephemeris recently.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   4 21.07   23 36.2   2.379   3.186   138   16.8  21:05 (  0, 79)  
Jan. 16   4 19.93   23 25.1   2.446   3.185   131   16.8  20:37 (  0, 78)  

* C/2008 P1 ( Garradd )

Now it is 16.9 mag (Dec. 22, Toru Yusa). 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)  
Jan.  9  23  4.25   32 56.8   4.279   4.166    76   17.0  18:35 ( 99, 56)  
Jan. 16  23  8.23   33 30.5   4.384   4.188    72   17.1  18:40 (102, 50)  

* 64P/Swift-Gehrels

Fading slowly. Now it is 16.9 mag (Dec. 23, 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)  
Jan.  9  10  8.59    7 38.6   1.831   2.636   136   17.1   2:56 (  0, 63)  
Jan. 16  10  3.12    7 42.3   1.822   2.690   145   17.2   2:23 (  0, 63)  

* 230P/2009 U6 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.9 mag (Dec. 5, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be fainter than 18 mag in March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9  11 14.87   16 28.6   1.402   2.121   124   17.2   4:02 (  0, 71)  
Jan. 16  11 14.68   17 48.0   1.381   2.165   131   17.3   3:34 (  0, 73)  

* (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 16.5 mag (Dec. 20, J. M. Aymami). 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)  
Jan.  9  23 17.94   15 50.2   2.037   1.928    69   17.2  18:35 ( 70, 51)  
Jan. 16  23 31.71   17 48.5   2.159   1.987    66   17.4  18:40 ( 77, 49)  

* C/2008 S3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 18.0 mag (Dec. 19, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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)  
Jan.  9   2 23.99   17 30.9   8.196   8.596   110   17.4  19:09 (  0, 73)  
Jan. 16   2 21.38   17 22.5   8.304   8.581   103   17.4  18:40 (  2, 72)  

* 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). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 16.7 mag (Dec. 14, Katsumi Yoshimoto). It will be fainter than 18 mag in mid January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Jan.  9   2 23.63   15 22.6   0.737   1.418   110   17.7  19:10 (  0, 71)  
Jan. 16   2 46.58   16 43.0   0.829   1.476   108   18.0  19:05 (  0, 72)  

* 31P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 2

Now it is 18.4 mag (Dec. 18, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Jan.  9   5 24.44   20 34.1   2.678   3.583   153   17.7  22:08 (  0, 76)  
Jan. 16   5 20.85   20 40.0   2.723   3.575   145   17.7  21:37 (  0, 76)  

* 232P/2009 W1 ( Hill )

Now it is 17.7 mag (Dec. 21, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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)  
Jan.  9  10  4.01   32 57.6   2.199   3.037   142   17.8   2:51 (  0, 88)  
Jan. 16  10  1.40   33 44.7   2.163   3.045   148   17.8   2:21 (  0, 89)  

* 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)  
Jan.  9   6 39.06   30 38.1   4.006   4.971   167   20.0  23:23 (  0, 86)  
Jan. 16   6 34.17   30 49.5   4.025   4.963   160   20.0  22:50 (  0, 86)  

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