Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2012 July 7: South)

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Updated on July 8, 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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* 96P/Machholz 1

Brightening rapidly. Marco Goiato reported it was 9.6 mag visually on June 30. It will approach to the sun down to 0.12 A.U. on July 14. In the Southern Hemisphere, it becomes unobservable temporarily in mid July, but it will be observable in good condition in the evening sky after the perihelion passage. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable now, 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)  
July  7   6 19.07    6 49.4   1.023   0.343    19    7.2   5:37 (262,  0)  
July 14   7 23.05   21  7.8   1.136   0.129     2    2.3   5:36 (255,-15)  

* 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). However, it will be unobservable soon also in the Southern Hemisphere. 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)  
July  7   9 17.14   17 29.9   3.774   2.953    31   11.0  18:32 (119, 10)  
July 14   9 21.53   16  4.9   3.902   3.021    25   11.2  18:35 (114,  6)  

* C/2011 F1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is so bright as 11.1 mag (July 5, Marco Goiato). 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)  
July  7  14  3.18   42  0.6   2.794   2.889    85   11.3  19:00 (180, 13)  
July 14  14  3.83   39 19.7   2.787   2.828    81   11.2  18:35 (180, 16)  

* C/2011 R1 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 12.4 mag (June 24, 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)  
July  7   4 10.92  -54 55.8   2.264   2.417    86   12.1   5:37 (316, 49)  
July 14   4 37.90  -58 49.1   2.179   2.377    88   12.0   5:36 (321, 48)  

* C/2011 L4 ( PanSTARRS )

It is expected to be a great comet of -1 mag in 2013 spring. Now it is 12.0 mag (July 6, Man-To Hui). 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)  
July  7  15 23.84  -25 19.2   3.317   4.042   129   12.7  20:20 (180, 80)  
July 14  15 17.37  -25 10.5   3.333   3.960   121   12.6  19:46 (180, 80)  

* C/2011 UF305 ( LINEAR )

It brightened much faster than expected. Now it is so bright as 10.9 mag (June 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)  
July  7   8 58.15   65  1.0   2.720   2.146    46   12.6  18:32 (154,-23)  
July 14   9  8.65   61 42.2   2.765   2.140    43   12.7  18:35 (150,-23)  

* (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 11.9 mag (May 29, Marco Goiato). It has already turned to be stellar.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July  7  16  4.98  -24 31.6   1.597   2.455   138   12.7  21:02 (180, 80)  
July 14  16  3.44  -25  2.9   1.660   2.458   131   12.9  20:33 (180, 80)  

* 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)  
July  7   2 35.88   25 36.8   1.110   1.082    60   13.4   5:37 (209, 23)  
July 14   3 16.25   26 37.9   1.098   1.035    58   12.8   5:36 (211, 21)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

Now it is bright as 12.1 mag (June 14, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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)  
July  7  15 56.83  -12  5.6   4.411   5.168   133   13.6  20:53 (180, 67)  
July 14  15 48.95  -12  4.1   4.518   5.175   125   13.6  20:18 (180, 67)  

* C/2009 F4 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 12.8 mag (June 15, Sandor Szabo). 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)  
July  7   4 41.23  -52 25.7   5.690   5.627    81   13.7   5:37 (312, 44)  
July 14   4 45.98  -52 25.2   5.680   5.640    82   13.7   5:36 (312, 48)  

* 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)  
July  7   5  7.30   13 53.2   2.522   1.710    29   13.7   5:37 (245, 10)  
July 14   5 25.11   13 57.3   2.540   1.756    31   13.8   5:36 (244, 11)  

* 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)  
July  7  23  2.99   56 24.9   6.288   6.309    86   14.0   4:03 (180, -1)  
July 14  22 55.13   56 50.1   6.193   6.292    90   13.9   3:27 (180, -2)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is visible visually at 11.7 mag (June 16, Carlos Labordena).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July  7  12 11.28  -10 17.6   6.320   6.254    81   14.0  18:32 (138, 59)  
July 14  12 13.80  -10 26.7   6.427   6.254    75   14.0  18:35 (127, 55)  

* 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)  
July  7  10 36.40  -35 14.7   0.923   1.202    76   14.1  18:32 ( 77, 54)  
July 14  11 24.62  -27 41.2   1.061   1.256    74   14.6  18:35 ( 92, 55)  

* 246P/2010 V2 ( NEAT )

Now it is so bright as 11.6 mag (June 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)  
July  7  13  1.60    6 51.5   2.970   3.079    86   14.3  18:32 (168, 48)  
July 14  13  6.20    5 40.6   3.049   3.067    81   14.4  18:35 (158, 47)  

* 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)  
July  7   7 10.47   18  6.8   3.457   2.445     4   14.4  18:32 (102,-15)  
July 14   7 24.35   17 37.5   3.487   2.475     4   14.4   5:36 (258,-14)  

* C/2012 CH17 ( MOSS )

Now it is 16.1 mag (June 22, A. Diepvens). It is expected to brighten up to 13.5 mag from summer to autumn. But actually, it is fainter than this ephemeris recently. It keeps observable for a long time until December. It keeps locating low in the evening after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July  7  11 47.16   27 23.7   1.990   1.779    63   15.0  18:32 (154, 23)  
July 14  12  0.15   25 38.4   1.970   1.714    60   14.8  18:35 (150, 23)  

* C/2011 O1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 15.9 mag (June 2, K. Hills). 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)  
July  7  20  8.25  -77 39.8   3.243   3.908   124   15.0   1:10 (  0, 47)  
July 14  19 45.86  -79 20.6   3.264   3.903   122   15.0   0:21 (  0, 46)  

* 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 15.7 mag (July 1, Jakub Cerny). It is expected to brighten up to 13 mag from summer to autumn, and will be observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July  7   0 27.44   -8 31.3   1.119   1.661   102   15.3   5:26 (180, 64)  
July 14   0 40.66   -6  1.4   1.044   1.631   104   15.1   5:12 (180, 61)  

* C/2011 A3 ( Gibbs )

Now it is 15.8 mag (June 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)  
July  7  23 16.66  -18 52.3   2.575   3.226   121   15.2   4:16 (180, 74)  
July 14  23 17.64  -19 57.0   2.550   3.276   128   15.3   3:50 (180, 75)  

* C/2012 J1 ( Catalina )

Now it is 15.8 mag (June 10, K. Hills). 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)  
July  7  23 38.09   34 55.5   3.271   3.485    93   15.5   4:37 (180, 20)  
July 14  23 42.20   35 57.9   3.169   3.458    97   15.4   4:14 (180, 19)  

* 189P/NEAT

Brightening rapidly. Now it is 16.1 mag (June 19, 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. 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)  
July  7  18 41.12  -17 29.4   0.173   1.189   172   15.4  23:38 (180, 71)  
July 14  18 51.22   -1  6.1   0.175   1.180   156   15.4  23:21 (180, 55)  

* 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 had been locating extremely low in the morning until June, but it will be observable at high location after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July  7   4 22.74   45  6.9   3.369   2.671    40   15.6   5:37 (216, -5)  
July 14   4 36.19   45 31.9   3.395   2.745    43   15.7   5:36 (214, -4)  

* 71P/Clark

The condition of this apparition is bad, and it was not observable around the perihelion passage. Now it is 15.7 mag (June 30, Jakub Cerny). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in late October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July  7   1 46.54    2  6.6   2.343   2.382    79   16.0   5:37 (207, 50)  
July 14   1 53.11    2 34.6   2.294   2.421    84   16.1   5:36 (199, 51)  

* C/2012 K5 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.5 mag (June 14, L. Arnold). 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)  
July  7  17 44.39   45 18.2   1.867   2.407   109   16.2  22:39 (180, 10)  
July 14  17 20.06   46 56.9   1.847   2.327   105   16.0  21:47 (180,  8)  

* 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 has already faded down to 16.6 mag (June 30, Jakub Cerny). 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)  
July  7   4 42.07  -17 49.2   4.477   3.957    53   16.7   5:37 (269, 34)  
July 14   4 46.74  -19  9.2   4.465   4.017    57   16.8   5:36 (267, 39)  

* 152P/Helin-Lawrence

Now it is 15.5 mag (June 8, Catalina Sky Survey). It tends to brighten after the perihelion passage. It keeps observable at 16-17 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)  
July  7  16  5.99  -16 57.2   2.290   3.116   137   16.7  21:03 (180, 72)  
July 14  16  4.89  -17 19.9   2.357   3.117   130   16.8  20:34 (180, 72)  

* 160P/LINEAR

Now it is 19.4 mag (June 21, Hidetaka Sato). It was expected to brighten rapidly and become observable in good condition at 16.5 mag from summer to autumn. But actually, it is much fainter than expected.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July  7  23 40.30   -6 53.9   1.551   2.153   112   17.2   4:40 (180, 62)  
July 14  23 44.54   -5 27.0   1.470   2.138   117   17.1   4:16 (180, 60)  

* C/2010 R1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.6 mag (June 12, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
July  7  14 25.92    8  5.0   5.282   5.633   105   17.1  19:23 (180, 47)  
July 14  14 21.25    7 48.7   5.406   5.636    97   17.2  18:50 (180, 47)  

* 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)  
July  7  23 31.73   14 29.1   8.046   8.368   105   17.3   4:31 (180, 40)  
July 14  23 28.61   14 27.9   7.944   8.380   112   17.2   4:01 (180, 40)  

* C/2012 L1 ( LINEAR )

New comet. Now it is 17.2 mag (June 5, A. Diepvens). 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)  
July  7  17 20.09   77 39.7   2.986   2.957    78   17.6  22:12 (180,-23)  
July 14  16 32.16   78 10.9   2.968   2.910    76   17.5  20:57 (180,-23)  

* C/2012 L2 ( LINEAR )

New comet. Now it is 17.1 mag (June 4, A. Diepvens). 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)  
July  7   0 31.66   76  2.2   4.249   4.019    70   17.7   5:31 (180,-21)  
July 14   0 43.81   77 34.0   4.154   3.951    71   17.6   5:15 (180,-23)  

* 168P/Hergenrother

It has not been observed yet in this apparition. It will approach to the earth down to 0.4 A.U., and it is expected to be observable in good condition as bright as 15 mag in September and October. Now it locates very high in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July  7   0  5.24  -26 32.3   1.031   1.705   112   17.9   5:04 (180, 82)  
July 14   0 15.97  -24 59.3   0.947   1.665   115   17.6   4:47 (180, 80)  

* C/2012 L3 ( LINEAR )

New comet. Now it is 17.4 mag (June 12, L. Elenin). 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)  
July  7  19  8.86   35 16.1   2.394   3.059   122   17.8   0:10 (180, 20)  
July 14  18 45.65   33 39.1   2.385   3.065   123   17.8  23:12 (180, 21)  

* C/2012 K6 ( McNaught )

New comet. Now it is 17.9 mag (May 30, K. Hills). It will brighten up to 15.5 mag in 2013 spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition while the comet will be brightening gradually. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until 2013 spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July  7  20 16.17  -76 41.0   3.781   4.445   125   17.9   1:19 (  0, 48)  
July 14  19 26.24  -77 18.4   3.751   4.406   124   17.8   0:03 (  0, 48)  

* P/2012 K3 ( Gibbs )

New periodic comet. Now it is 18.1 mag (June 18, Hidetaka Sato). 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)  
July  7  16 46.53   -7 40.7   1.277   2.179   143   17.9  21:43 (180, 63)  
July 14  16 44.55   -8 48.2   1.304   2.164   137   17.9  21:14 (180, 64)  

* 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)  
July  7  19 18.70   -5 44.4   1.286   2.277   162   18.8   0:19 (180, 61)  
July 14  19 13.66   -6  5.3   1.306   2.299   163   18.9  23:42 (180, 61)  

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