Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2012 June 9: South)

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Updated on June 9, 2012
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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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* C/2009 P1 ( Garradd )

It kept as bright as 6-7 mag for a long time from 2011 summer to 2012 spring. Now it is fading. But it is bright as 10.0 mag still now (May 27, Salvador Aguirre). It will be unobservable soon in late June. But it will appear in the morning sky again at 12.5 mag in October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9   9  0.66   24  1.1   3.172   2.680    52   10.2  18:25 (142, 20)  
June 16   9  4.49   22 13.4   3.335   2.748    47   10.4  18:25 (136, 19)  

* C/2011 F1 ( LINEAR )

Already so bright as 11.1 mag (May 14, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is expected to be bright as 9 mag from 2012 to 2013. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time until 2012 autumn when the comet brightens up to 10 mag. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is hardly observble before the perihelion passage. But it becomes observable in good condition since 2013 after the perihelion passage.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  14 14.60   51  5.4   2.853   3.136    96   11.7  21:01 (180,  4)  
June 16  14  9.50   49  7.6   2.833   3.074    93   11.6  20:29 (180,  6)  

* 96P/Machholz 1

It has brightened up to 16.5 mag on June 1 (Martin Masek, et al.). Brightening rapidly. It will approach to the sun down to 0.12 A.U. on July 14. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition except for mid July only, in the morning sky before the perihelion passage, and in the evening sky after the perihelion passage. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable before the perihelion passage. But it will appear in the evening sky at 8 mag in late July. Then it keeps observable while fading rapidly in the evening low sky.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9   2 51.73  -27 24.0   1.044   1.035    60   13.0   5:33 (280, 37)  
June 16   3 42.37  -21 37.6   0.968   0.888    53   12.0   5:35 (276, 31)  

* (596) Scheila

Big asteroid discovered in 1906. It suddenly showed the cometary activity on Dec. 11, 2010, probably due to an impact of a small object. Now it is 12.0 mag (May 27, Marco Goiato). It has already turned to be stellar.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  16 24.50  -22 20.7   1.441   2.447   169   12.0  23:11 (180, 77)  
June 16  16 18.02  -22 55.0   1.463   2.448   161   12.2  22:37 (180, 78)  

* C/2011 R1 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 13 mag (May 19, Terry Lovejoy). It is expected to be observable at 11-13 mag for a long time from 2012 summer to 2013 summer. It will be observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. But it is not observable until 2013 January in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9   3  1.38  -42 34.2   2.724   2.594    71   12.8   5:33 (299, 40)  
June 16   3 15.14  -45  6.2   2.597   2.547    75   12.6   5:35 (302, 44)  

* C/2011 UF305 ( LINEAR )

It brightened much faster than expected. Now it is so bright as 11.2 mag (May 14, Juan Jose Gonzalez). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable at 12-13 mag in good condition until early 2013. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until late 2012.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9   7 24.26   80  8.7   2.541   2.197    59   12.7  18:25 (170,-30)  
June 16   8  4.76   76 10.6   2.581   2.180    55   12.7  18:25 (166,-27)  

* C/2011 L4 ( PanSTARRS )

It is expected to be a great comet of -1 mag in 2013 spring. Now it is 12.6 mag (May 28, Jakub Cerny). Brightening faster than originally expected. In 2012, it keeps observable until summer while brightening gradually. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  15 56.65  -25 50.9   3.381   4.362   163   13.0  22:43 (180, 81)  
June 16  15 47.77  -25 45.2   3.343   4.283   154   12.9  22:07 (180, 81)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

Now it is bright as 12.9 mag (May 28, Jakub Cerny). It keeps 13-14 mag and observable in good condition until September.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  16 35.96  -12 26.8   4.154   5.147   166   13.4  23:22 (180, 67)  
June 16  16 25.32  -12 19.8   4.188   5.152   159   13.4  22:44 (180, 67)  

* C/2011 U3 ( PanSTARRS )

It will brighten up to 14 mag from May to July. It has not been observed since late January, but it must be already bright at 15 mag. In the Southern Hemisphere, it has been extremely low, but it will be getting higher gradually after this, and will be observable in good condition. It will be hardly observable in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9   4 42.63  -41 53.0   0.981   1.075    65   13.8   5:33 (306, 23)  
June 16   5 58.82  -46 38.1   0.870   1.090    70   13.6  18:25 ( 49, 24)  

* C/2009 F4 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 13.3 mag (Apr. 15, Jakub Cerny). It keeps bright as 13-14 mag for a long time after this until 2013. It is not observable in the Northern Hemisphere, but it is observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9   4 17.68  -53 31.0   5.716   5.580    77   13.6   5:33 (316, 31)  
June 16   4 24.17  -53  4.9   5.712   5.592    78   13.6   5:35 (315, 34)  

* 58P/Jackson-Neujmin

This comet brightened up to 10 mag in outburst in 1995, however, it became lost after that. The condition of this apparition is bad. It is not observable around the perihelion passage. Maybe it can be recovered after summer when it appears in the morning sky.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9   3 49.22   12 13.3   2.440   1.545    21   13.8   5:33 (252,  4)  
June 16   4  9.69   12 51.8   2.461   1.583    23   13.7   5:35 (250,  5)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Another small outburst occured on May 1. It is still lbright as 12.8 mag (May 18, Jakub Cerny).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  12  5.30  -10 10.3   5.888   6.256   106   13.8  18:53 (180, 65)  
June 16  12  6.13  -10  7.7   5.994   6.256   100   13.9  18:26 (180, 65)  

* 78P/Gehrels 2

It kept as bright as 11-12 mag for a long time from 2011 autumn to 2012 spring. It is not observable now. But it will appear in the morning sky again at 15 mag in autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9   6 12.04   19 17.6   3.298   2.333    15   14.1  18:25 (111, -4)  
June 16   6 27.04   19  7.4   3.344   2.360    12   14.2  18:25 (109, -6)  

* C/2010 S1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 13.9 mag (Mar. 26, Jakub Cerny). It is expected to be 13 mag and will be observable in good condition in 2013. It keeps observable for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  23 23.42   54  4.0   6.663   6.381    69   14.2   5:33 (186,  0)  
June 16  23 19.89   54 42.7   6.572   6.363    73   14.1   5:35 (181,  0)  

* 246P/2010 V2 ( NEAT )

Now it is so bright as 11.8 mag (May 14, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Although it was extremely faint as 20.5 mag at the recovery in 2010 autumn, it brightened rapidly. It will keep 12-14 mag and observable in good condition for a long time from 2012 to 2013. But it locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere in 2013.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  12 51.00   11  5.4   2.663   3.132   108   14.2  19:38 (180, 44)  
June 16  12 52.36   10  7.6   2.737   3.119   102   14.3  19:12 (180, 45)  

* C/2011 A3 ( Gibbs )

Now it is 15.3 mag (May 30, Jakub Cerny). After this, it will be observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere while fading gradually. It will locate somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. In 2011, some visual observers reported it was very bright as 10-12 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  23  2.95  -15 34.4   2.730   3.034    97   14.9   5:33 (194, 70)  
June 16  23  7.80  -16 13.6   2.685   3.081   103   15.0   5:30 (180, 71)  

* C/2011 Q2 ( McNaught )

It was observed at 12.5 mag on Apr. 1, as bright as expected (Michael Jager). Now it is 14.0 mag (Apr. 26, Michael Jager). In the Northern Hemisphere, it locates extremely low in the morning until June. It will be observable at high location after summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9   3 21.39   42 42.2   3.205   2.379    29   15.0   5:33 (224,-10)  
June 16   3 37.79   43 26.6   3.254   2.452    31   15.2   5:35 (222, -9)  

* C/2011 O1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.6 mag (Apr. 18, Jakub Cerny). In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be observable at 15-16 mag in good condition for a long time until 2013 summer. It is not observable at all in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  20 44.31  -68 43.2   3.279   3.939   124   15.0   3:35 (  0, 56)  
June 16  20 41.13  -71  9.4   3.250   3.930   125   15.0   3:04 (  0, 54)  

* 71P/Clark

The condition of this apparition is bad, and it was not observable around the perihelion passage. Appearing in the morning sky now. It is bright still now, about 14 mag (May 16, Terry Lovejoy). But it still locates extremely low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9   1 12.30   -0 43.8   2.508   2.226    62   15.5   5:33 (234, 41)  
June 16   1 21.95    0  7.3   2.472   2.265    66   15.6   5:35 (227, 44)  

* C/2012 CH17 ( MOSS )

Now it is 16.1 mag (May 10, M. Jaeger, et al.). It will brighten up to 13.5 mag from summer to autumn. It keeps observable for a long time until December. In the Northern Hemisphere, it locates high until spring. But after that, it keeps locating low in the evening. In the Southern Henmisphere, it keeps locating low all through the time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  11  7.00   32 51.4   2.027   2.058    77   15.7  18:25 (173, 22)  
June 16  11 15.16   31 42.8   2.024   1.986    73   15.5  18:25 (169, 22)  

* 185P/Petriew

Hidetaka Sato observed it at 18.6 mag on May 27. It is expected to brighten rapidly and to reach up to 10 mag in August. It keeps observable in the morning sky all through this apparition, although it locates somewhat low.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9   0 16.80   16 35.0   1.290   1.317    68   16.3   5:33 (207, 34)  
June 16   0 47.13   19 16.5   1.226   1.254    67   15.6   5:35 (206, 31)  

* C/2012 J1 ( Catalina )

Bright new comet. Now it is 16.1 mag (May 14, P. Birtwhistle). It keeps observable in good condition at 14-15 mag for a long time until winter. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  23 16.18   30 14.8   3.688   3.604    77   15.9   5:33 (188, 24)  
June 16  23 22.37   31 28.2   3.583   3.573    81   15.8   5:35 (182, 23)  

* 260P/2012 K2 ( McNaught )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 14 mag in 2005. It was recovered as bright as predicted. Now it is 17.5 mag (May 18, Martin Masek). It is expected to brighten up to 13 mag from summer to autumn, and will be observable in excellent condition. Now it locates high in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  23 31.46  -17  0.1   1.460   1.803    91   16.4   5:33 (214, 69)  
June 16  23 45.83  -15  5.0   1.369   1.765    94   16.1   5:35 (202, 69)  

* 189P/NEAT

Dave Herald observed it at 18.6 mag on May 27. It will approach to the earth down to 0.17 A.U. in July. Then it brightens up to 15 mag and moves northwards very quickly. Now it locates very high in the Southern Hemisphere, but not observable in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will become observable in late June, then it will be observable in excellent condition. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps excellent condition until July. It keeps observable also after that, but locates somewhat low.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  17 56.90  -57 24.5   0.309   1.280   144   17.0   0:47 (  0, 67)  
June 16  18  8.54  -52 26.0   0.261   1.249   150   16.5   0:31 (  0, 72)  

* 152P/Helin-Lawrence

Now it is 16.3 mag (Apr. 24, V. Gerke, A. Novichonok, S. Plaksa). It tends to brighten after the perihelion passage. It keeps observable at 17 mag from 2012 to 2013. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  16 19.27  -15 50.6   2.125   3.121   166   16.7  23:06 (180, 71)  
June 16  16 14.88  -16  3.5   2.149   3.119   159   16.7  22:34 (180, 71)  

* C/2012 K5 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.2 mag (May 27, P. Birtwhistle). It is expected to approach to the earth and to be observable at 9-10 mag in good condition in winter. The condition is good in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere, and will be unobservable after summer. But it will become observable in good condition after 2013 January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  18 59.30   33 54.2   2.092   2.714   117   16.9   1:50 (180, 21)  
June 16  18 44.90   37 13.0   2.008   2.636   117   16.7   1:08 (180, 18)  

* C/2010 R1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Apr. 14, Yasukazu Ikari). It keeps observable at 17 mag for a long time from 2011 to 2013. In 2012, it keeps observable in good condition until early September.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  14 52.11    8 30.1   4.871   5.623   133   16.9  21:38 (180, 47)  
June 16  14 44.49    8 31.1   4.957   5.625   126   17.0  21:03 (180, 47)  

* 105P/Singer Brewster

It was predicted to brighten up to 17 mag and will be observable in good condition from spring to summer. But actually, Juro Kobayashi reported it as around 19 mag on Apr. 28, and Dave Herald reported it as 19.5-20.0 mag in early June, much fainter than this ephemeris.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  19 35.02   -5 59.9   1.312   2.196   141   17.0   2:25 (180, 61)  
June 16  19 32.23   -5 40.6   1.291   2.215   147   16.9   1:55 (180, 61)  

* C/2008 S3 ( Boattini )

It keeps 17 mag for a long time from 2009 to 2013.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  23 39.99   14  7.7   8.479   8.321    77   17.3   5:33 (198, 39)  
June 16  23 38.55   14 16.4   8.370   8.333    84   17.3   5:35 (188, 40)  

* 160P/LINEAR

Now it is 20.0 mag (May 27, Hidetaka Sato), much fainter than expected. But it is expected to brighten rapidly, and to be observable in good condition at 16.5 mag from summer to autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  23 13.37  -12 39.0   1.912   2.227    94   17.9   5:33 (199, 67)  
June 16  23 21.39  -11 13.4   1.817   2.207    98   17.7   5:35 (185, 66)  

* C/2012 L2 ( LINEAR )

New comet. It is expected to brighten up to 10 mag from winter to spring in 2013, and will be observable in good condition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until around the perihelion passage. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be observable after the perihelion passage.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  23 45.77   69 52.4   4.461   4.143    65   17.9   5:33 (185,-16)  
June 16  23 56.88   71 24.9   4.369   4.072    66   17.8   5:35 (184,-17)  

* C/2012 L1 ( LINEAR )

New comet. It will brighten up to 15 mag from autum to winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time until the comet fades out. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere, except for 2013 spring, but the comet locates extremely low only.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June  9  19 22.15   69 40.8   3.099   3.166    84   18.0   2:12 (180,-15)  
June 16  19  3.79   72 19.1   3.068   3.116    83   17.9   1:27 (180,-17)  

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