Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2012 June 16: North)

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Updated on June 22, 2012
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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/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 10.6 mag still now (June 16, Carlos Labordena). 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 16   9  4.49   22 13.4   3.335   2.748    47   10.4  21:02 (106, 17)  
June 23   9  8.57   20 33.1   3.490   2.816    41   10.6  21:04 (107, 11)  

* 96P/Machholz 1

Brightening rapidly. It has brightened up to 16.5 mag on June 1 (Martin Masek, et al.). Marco Goiato reported it was 12.1 mag visually on June 17. 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 16   3 42.37  -21 37.6   0.968   0.888    53   12.0   2:58 (280,-25)  
June 23   4 35.05  -13 48.4   0.933   0.728    43   10.9   3:00 (269,-26)  

* 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 16  14  9.50   49  7.6   2.833   3.074    93   11.6  21:02 (158, 75)  
June 23  14  5.92   46 56.3   2.816   3.012    91   11.5  21:04 (138, 73)  

* (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 16  16 18.02  -22 55.0   1.463   2.448   161   12.2  22:37 (  0, 32)  
June 23  16 12.42  -23 28.1   1.497   2.450   153   12.4  22:04 (  0, 31)  

* C/2011 R1 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 12.0 mag (June 15, Chris Wyatt). 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 16   3 15.14  -45  6.2   2.597   2.547    75   12.6   2:58 (306,-30)  
June 23   3 30.82  -48  0.8   2.477   2.502    79   12.5   3:00 (310,-29)  

* 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 16   8  4.76   76 10.6   2.581   2.180    55   12.7  21:02 (164, 32)  
June 23   8 28.70   72 16.3   2.626   2.166    52   12.6  21:04 (159, 30)  

* 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 16  15 47.77  -25 45.2   3.343   4.283   154   12.9  22:07 (  0, 29)  
June 23  15 39.20  -25 37.5   3.320   4.204   146   12.8  21:31 (  0, 29)  

* 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 16  16 25.32  -12 19.8   4.188   5.152   159   13.4  22:44 (  0, 43)  
June 23  16 15.13  -12 13.6   4.244   5.157   151   13.5  22:06 (  0, 43)  

* C/2011 U3 ( PanSTARRS )

It was expected to brighten up to 14 mag from May to July. But actually, it has not been observed since late January. Michael Mattiazzo reported it was not detected, fainter than 17.0 mag, on June 10. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be getting higher gradually after this. It will be hardly observable in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   5 58.82  -46 38.1   0.870   1.090    70   13.6  21:02 ( 57,-51)  
June 23   7 41.84  -47 41.8   0.816   1.117    74   13.5  21:04 ( 53,-38)  

* C/2009 F4 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 13.9 mag (June 15, Chris Wyatt). 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 16   4 24.17  -53  4.9   5.712   5.592    78   13.6   2:58 (313,-43)  
June 23   4 30.28  -52 45.4   5.706   5.603    79   13.6   3:00 (313,-39)  

* 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 16   4  9.69   12 51.8   2.461   1.583    23   13.7   2:58 (246,-11)  
June 23   4 29.56   13 21.0   2.482   1.623    25   13.6   3:00 (247, -9)  

* 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 16  12  6.13  -10  7.7   5.994   6.256   100   13.9  21:02 ( 47, 32)  
June 23  12  7.42  -10  8.0   6.102   6.255    93   13.9  21:04 ( 53, 27)  

* 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 16  23 19.89   54 42.7   6.572   6.363    73   14.1   2:58 (222, 56)  
June 23  23 15.35   55 19.9   6.478   6.345    77   14.1   3:00 (217, 60)  

* 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 16   6 27.04   19  7.4   3.344   2.360    12   14.2  21:02 (126,-14)  
June 23   6 41.80   18 52.1   3.386   2.388     9   14.2  21:04 (128,-17)  

* 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 16  12 52.36   10  7.6   2.737   3.119   102   14.3  21:02 ( 52, 55)  
June 23  12 54.62    9  5.6   2.813   3.105    96   14.3  21:04 ( 59, 49)  

* 185P/Petriew

Brightening rapidly. It has already brightened up to 14.5 mag (June 18, Michael Jager). It has a large faint coma of 1.5 arcmin. It is expected 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 16   0 47.13   19 16.5   1.226   1.254    67   15.6   2:58 (269, 33)  
June 23   1 20.36   21 46.9   1.173   1.193    65   14.9   3:00 (265, 33)  

* 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 16  23  7.80  -16 13.6   2.685   3.081   103   15.0   2:58 (318, 27)  
June 23  23 11.72  -16 59.9   2.644   3.129   109   15.0   3:00 (325, 30)  

* 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 16  20 41.13  -71  9.4   3.250   3.930   125   15.0   2:58 (359,-16)  
June 23  20 34.73  -73 30.1   3.235   3.922   126   15.0   2:31 (  0,-18)  

* 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 16   3 37.79   43 26.6   3.254   2.452    31   15.2   2:58 (226, 14)  
June 23   3 53.51   44  5.0   3.298   2.525    34   15.3   3:00 (227, 16)  

* 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 16  11 15.16   31 42.8   2.024   1.986    73   15.5  21:02 (101, 47)  
June 23  11 24.61   30 25.4   2.017   1.916    69   15.3  21:04 (101, 43)  

* 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 16   1 21.95    0  7.3   2.472   2.265    66   15.6   2:58 (281, 15)  
June 23   1 30.91    0 52.9   2.432   2.304    70   15.7   3:00 (283, 20)  

* C/2012 J1 ( Catalina )

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 16  23 22.37   31 28.2   3.583   3.573    81   15.8   2:58 (264, 55)  
June 23  23 28.13   32 39.9   3.479   3.543    85   15.7   3:00 (264, 60)  

* 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 16  23 45.83  -15  5.0   1.369   1.765    94   16.1   2:58 (310, 23)  
June 23  23 59.97  -13  2.3   1.281   1.728    96   15.9   3:00 (311, 27)  

* 189P/NEAT

Brightening rapidly. Now it is 17.2 mag (June 8, K. Hills). 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 16  18  8.69  -52 25.6   0.261   1.249   150   16.5   0:31 (  0,  2)  
June 23  18 19.85  -44 30.1   0.220   1.224   158   16.1   0:15 (  0, 10)  

* C/2010 G2 ( Hill )

It brightened up to 10 mag from autumn to winter in 2011. Now it is appearing in the morning sky again in the Southern Hemisphere. It keeps observable in good condition while fading graudlaly after this. It will be hardly observable in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   4 26.38  -14 25.4   4.476   3.779    41   16.4   2:58 (266,-31)  
June 23   4 31.85  -15 27.4   4.483   3.838    45   16.5   3:00 (271,-26)  

* 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 16  18 44.92   37 13.1   2.018   2.645   117   16.7   1:08 (180, 88)  
June 23  18 27.50   40 19.3   1.951   2.566   116   16.5   0:24 (180, 85)  

* 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 16  16 14.88  -16  3.5   2.149   3.119   159   16.7  22:34 (  0, 39)  
June 23  16 11.09  -16 18.9   2.185   3.118   151   16.7  22:03 (  0, 39)  

* 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 16  14 44.49    8 31.1   4.957   5.625   126   17.0  21:03 (  0, 63)  
June 23  14 37.55    8 26.8   5.056   5.627   119   17.0  21:04 ( 19, 62)  

* 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 16  23 38.55   14 16.4   8.370   8.333    84   17.3   2:58 (285, 44)  
June 23  23 36.70   14 23.1   8.261   8.344    91   17.3   3:00 (291, 50)  

* 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 16  23 21.39  -11 13.4   1.817   2.207    98   17.7   2:58 (312, 29)  
June 23  23 28.62   -9 47.2   1.725   2.188   102   17.6   3:00 (316, 34)  

* 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 16  19  3.74   72 19.2   3.055   3.104    83   17.8   1:27 (180, 53)  
June 23  18 37.85   74 37.1   3.027   3.054    81   17.8   0:34 (180, 50)  

* C/2012 L3 ( LINEAR )

New comet. Now it is brightest. It will be fainter than 18 mag very soon.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  20 16.31   36 43.5   2.564   3.055   109   17.9   2:39 (180, 88)  
June 23  19 55.22   36 46.5   2.491   3.058   114   17.8   1:51 (180, 88)  

* C/2012 L2 ( LINEAR )

New comet. It is expected to brighten up to 10 mag from winter to spring in 2013. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until 2013 April. It is not observable now in the Southern Hemisphere. It will become observable after 2013 April, but it keeps locating low.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  23 56.91   71 24.4   4.514   4.213    66   18.0   2:58 (200, 45)  
June 23   0  8.25   72 57.1   4.425   4.146    67   17.9   3:00 (197, 46)  

* P/2012 K3 ( Gibbs )

New periodic comet. It is observable at 18 mag in good condition from June to July.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  16 59.01   -5  7.5   1.252   2.232   159   18.0  23:18 (  0, 50)  
June 23  16 54.05   -5 48.8   1.250   2.213   155   17.9  22:45 (  0, 49)  

* 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, it is so faint as 19.5 mag, much fainter than expected (June 16, Michael Jager).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  19 32.23   -5 40.6   1.291   2.215   147   18.8   1:55 (  0, 49)  
June 23  19 28.37   -5 31.4   1.279   2.235   153   18.8   1:24 (  0, 49)  

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