Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2012 Sept. 29: South)

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Updated on September 30, 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/2011 F1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is so bright as 9.8 mag (Sept. 13, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Getting lower graudally in the evening sky. It will be unobservable in late September in the Southern Hemisphere, or in mid October in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky at 9 mag in 2013 February, then it keeps observable in good condition while fading slowly. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is hardly observable after 2013.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  15 12.02    6 28.5   2.836   2.216    43   10.1  19:26 (106, 11)  
Oct.  6  15 22.18    3 31.8   2.844   2.168    39   10.0  19:33 (100,  8)  

* 168P/Hergenrother

It brightened very rapidly. Another outburst occured around Sept. 22, and it became strongly condensed, almost stellar. Now it is very bright visually as 10.4 mag (Sept. 26, Yoshimi Nagai). It approaches to the earth down to 0.4 A.U., and it is observable in good condition in September and October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   0 14.91   17 39.2   0.424   1.415   164   10.4  23:39 (180, 37)  
Oct.  6   0  3.92   23  4.9   0.436   1.416   159   10.5  23:01 (180, 31)  

* C/2011 L4 ( PanSTARRS )

It is expected to be a great comet of -1 mag in 2013 spring. Now it is 11.3 mag (Sept. 18, Jakub Cerny). Brightening faster than originally expected. In 2012, it keeps observable until October in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps unobservable for a long time until 2013 March, when the comet will appear as a 0-mag great comet. By the way, Juan Jose Gonzalez reported it extremely bright as 9.5 mag visually on Aug. 21.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  15 10.35  -26 53.9   3.591   3.000    47   11.5  19:26 ( 76, 29)  
Oct.  6  15 14.78  -27 25.7   3.579   2.906    41   11.4  19:33 ( 72, 23)  

* C/2011 R1 ( McNaught )

Now it is so bright as 11.6 mag (Sept. 14, Chris Wyatt). It is expected to be observable at 11-13 mag for a long time from 2012 summer to 2013 summer. It is not observable until 2013 January in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be extremely low from October to December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  13 47.24  -56  7.4   2.476   2.094    56   11.7  19:26 ( 39, 27)  
Oct.  6  14  5.39  -53 32.6   2.566   2.086    50   11.7  19:33 ( 40, 24)  

* 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 appearing in the morning sky.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  10  2.46    2 44.4   4.542   3.770    35   12.5   4:14 (262,  7)  
Oct.  6  10  4.55    1 37.7   4.531   3.837    41   12.6   4:03 (260, 11)  

* C/2012 K5 ( LINEAR )

Now it is bright and visible visually at 12.6 mag (Sept. 16, Artyom Novichonok). It is expected to approach to the earth and to be observable at 8 mag in good condition in winter. The condition is good in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable after this. 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)  
Sept.29  14 42.41   41 45.9   1.827   1.486    54   13.0  19:26 (130,-16)  
Oct.  6  14 38.74   41 13.7   1.781   1.421    52   12.7  19:33 (126,-22)  

* 260P/2012 K2 ( McNaught )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 14 mag in 2005. It brightened very rapidly and became much brighter than originally expected. Now it is very bright as 11.4 mag (Sept. 13, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It keeps observable in excellent condition at 11-13 mag from summer to autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   2  1.89   32  0.9   0.585   1.508   142   12.8   1:31 (180, 23)  
Oct.  6   1 58.58   35 12.8   0.584   1.518   145   12.9   1:00 (180, 20)  

* 185P/Petriew

It brightened rapidly, and reached up to 10 mag from July to August. Now it is fading. But it is bright as 11.5 mag still now (Sept. 15, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps observable in the morning sky after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   9  1.96    7 12.1   1.478   1.149    50   13.1   4:14 (248, 17)  
Oct.  6   9 20.34    4 55.0   1.513   1.207    52   13.7   4:03 (251, 18)  

* C/2011 UF305 ( LINEAR )

It brightened much faster than expected. Now it is so bright as 11.5 mag (Sept. 15, Seiichi Yoshida). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable at 11-13 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)  
Sept.29  10  6.95   36 15.8   2.798   2.285    49   13.2   4:14 (235,-13)  
Oct.  6  10  8.35   34 38.7   2.744   2.315    54   13.3   4:03 (234,-10)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

Now it is so bright as 11.2 mag (Sept. 14, Carlos Labordena). It will be unobservable in late September in the Northern Hemisphere, or in mid October in the Southern Hemisphere. But it will be observable at 12-13 mag in good condition again in 2013.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  15 17.05  -13 45.2   5.949   5.283    44   13.3  19:26 ( 89, 23)  
Oct.  6  15 17.70  -14  1.3   6.048   5.296    37   13.3  19:33 ( 84, 17)  

* C/2012 CH17 ( MOSS )

Now it is 15.4 mag (Aug. 11, Hidetaka Sato). However, it is extremely diffuse. The nuclear magnitude is fainter than 19 mag. Maybe the comet has been disintegrated, and will disappear soon. It keeps observable for a long time until December, but it keeps locating low in the evening after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  15 32.94   -5 31.3   1.739   1.296    47   13.3  19:26 ( 99, 23)  
Oct.  6  15 58.25   -8 53.4   1.750   1.301    47   13.4  19:33 ( 95, 23)  

* C/2010 S1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 13.3 mag (Sept. 13, Jakub Cerny). It keeps bright at 13-14 mag for a long time until 2014. 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)  
Sept.29  21  2.13   50 19.3   5.617   6.126   116   13.6  20:27 (180,  5)  
Oct.  6  20 55.57   48 45.8   5.630   6.113   114   13.5  19:53 (180,  6)  

* C/2009 F4 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 13.1 mag (Sept. 22, 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)  
Sept.29   4 47.91  -56 45.1   5.540   5.808   100   13.8   4:14 (359, 68)  
Oct.  6   4 41.98  -57  9.6   5.536   5.826   101   13.8   3:43 (  0, 68)  

* C/2012 J1 ( Catalina )

Now it is bright and visible visually at 13.0 mag (Sept. 13, Jakub Cerny). It keeps observable in good condition at 13-14 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)  
Sept.29  23 43.00   37 41.2   2.367   3.229   143   14.0  23:08 (180, 17)  
Oct.  6  23 41.30   36 34.3   2.345   3.216   145   14.0  22:39 (180, 18)  

* (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)  
Sept.29  17 10.85  -30 26.1   2.610   2.514    73   14.1  19:26 ( 85, 54)  
Oct.  6  17 22.36  -30 45.8   2.699   2.521    69   14.1  19:33 ( 82, 50)  

* 246P/2010 V2 ( NEAT )

Now it is so bright as 12.4 mag (Aug. 17, Carlos Labordena). It will be too low to observe in the evening sky soon. But it will be observable at 12-14 mag in good condition again in 2013. However, it locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere in 2013.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  14 31.40   -8  6.3   3.747   2.953    32   14.1  19:26 ( 88, 11)  
Oct.  6  14 41.43   -9 18.0   3.785   2.945    28   14.1  19:33 ( 83,  7)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Not observable now. It will appear in the morning sky in late November.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  12 58.98  -14 30.4   7.209   6.247    15   14.3  19:26 ( 69, -4)  
Oct.  6  13  3.99  -15  1.1   7.226   6.246    10   14.3  19:33 ( 64, -9)  

* 262P/2012 K7 ( McNaught-Russell )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 1994. Now it is 17.2 mag (Sept. 15, J. L. Martin), somewhat fainter than expected. It is expected to brighten rapidly, to reach up to 13.5 mag, and to be observable in good condition from autumn to winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  19 26.20   23  2.9   0.956   1.560   105   15.3  19:26 (171, 32)  
Oct.  6  19 35.01   20 40.3   0.931   1.510   102   15.0  19:33 (164, 33)  

* 78P/Gehrels 2

It kept as bright as 11-12 mag for a long time from 2011 autumn to 2012 spring. Now it is 16.1 mag (Sept. 14, A. Diepvens). It keeps observable in good condition until next spring while the comet will be fading gradually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   9 32.66    9 14.2   3.456   2.820    43   15.3   4:14 (252,  9)  
Oct.  6   9 41.75    8 21.9   3.418   2.852    48   15.4   4:03 (251, 11)  

* C/2011 O1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 14.9 mag (Sept. 14, 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)  
Sept.29  16 40.61  -80 42.7   3.889   3.907    83   15.4  19:26 (  9, 41)  
Oct.  6  16 54.74  -80 40.3   3.952   3.913    80   15.4  19:33 ( 10, 40)  

* C/2012 L2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.1 mag (Sept. 15, 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)  
Sept.29  16 29.85   88 10.5   3.016   3.204    91   16.0  19:26 (178,-34)  
Oct.  6  16 46.22   87 14.5   2.907   3.135    93   15.8  19:33 (177,-33)  

* C/2012 A2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 15.7 mag (Sept. 8, P. Dupouy, J. B. de Vanssay)。It keeps 15-16 mag from autumn to winter. It keeps observable in good condition for a long time until the comet fades out in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable until 2013 summer in the Southern Hemisphere. By the way, Juan Jose Gonzalez reported it extremely bright as 10.7 mag visually on Sept. 6.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  10  0.34   68 30.3   3.679   3.554    74   15.9   4:14 (204,-28)  
Oct.  6  10  5.46   70 19.9   3.579   3.548    80   15.8   4:03 (202,-28)  

* C/2012 L1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Sept. 13, Toshiyuki Takahashi). 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)  
Sept.29  13 33.15   67 47.9   2.602   2.470    71   16.0  19:26 (153,-35)  
Oct.  6  13 35.06   67 31.2   2.534   2.440    73   15.9  19:33 (152,-38)  

* 37P/Forbes

Jean-Francois Soulier reported that it had faded down to 19.8 mag on Sept. 16, however, it suddenly brightened up to 16.6 mag on Sept. 20. It brightened by about 3 mag in outburst. Now it is 15.9 mag, getting brighter furthermore (Sept. 22, Jakub Cerny). It keeps observable in excellent condition after this in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   2 41.32   28 28.9   2.144   2.964   137   16.1   2:10 (180, 26)  
Oct.  6   2 35.78   28 24.8   2.126   3.003   145   16.3   1:37 (180, 27)  

* 152P/Helin-Lawrence

Now it is 16.0 mag (Sept. 14, Jakub Cerny). 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)  
Sept.29  16 55.09  -22 40.3   3.365   3.147    68   16.6  19:26 ( 94, 48)  
Oct.  6  17  3.98  -23  6.2   3.457   3.153    64   16.6  19:33 ( 90, 43)  

* 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 was not observable around the perihelion passage. But it is appearing in the morning sky now. However, it is not detected, fainter than 19.0 mag (Sept. 16, Martin Masek).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   7 48.31    9 12.4   2.477   2.320    69   16.7   4:14 (233, 28)  
Oct.  6   7 56.00    8 34.1   2.445   2.372    73   17.0   4:03 (232, 30)  

* C/2011 A3 ( Gibbs )

Jakub Cerny reported the comet brightened up to 14.5 mag in late July. Now it is 15.2 mag, a bit brighter than this ephemeris still now (Sept. 14, Jakub Cerny). It will be observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere while fading gradually after this. It will locate somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  22 48.57  -29 47.1   3.025   3.853   140   16.7  22:14 (180, 85)  
Oct.  6  22 46.57  -29 55.1   3.141   3.908   134   16.9  21:44 (180, 85)  

* P/2012 NJ ( La Sagra )

Looks almost asteroidal. But it has a very faint tail. It passed near by the earth, and brightened up to 13.9 mag (July 22, Artyom Novichonok). Now it is fading, but still bright as 15.9 mag (Sept. 15, A. Diepvens). It keeps observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates extremely low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  17 52.74   37 54.5   1.724   1.927    85   16.9  19:26 (155, 11)  
Oct.  6  17 53.60   37 13.6   1.859   1.991    82   17.1  19:33 (149,  9)  

* 71P/Clark

The condition of this apparition is bad, and it was not observable around the perihelion passage. Now it is 17.1 mag (Sept. 14, A. Diepvens). It will be fainter than 18 mag in late October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   1 50.42    1 22.7   1.887   2.841   157   17.1   1:19 (180, 54)  
Oct.  6   1 43.82    0 56.6   1.899   2.877   165   17.3   0:45 (180, 54)  

* C/2008 S3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Sept. 13, S. Shurpakov). 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)  
Sept.29  22 37.38   10 44.1   7.621   8.524   152   17.2  22:02 (180, 44)  
Oct.  6  22 32.92   10 10.9   7.689   8.538   146   17.2  21:30 (180, 45)  

* 261P/2012 K4 ( Larson )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 2005. Now it is 16.6 mag (Sept. 4, Mitsunori Tsumura). It will be observable in excellent condition at 17-18 mag until November.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  23  6.44    4 51.5   1.216   2.187   160   17.2  22:31 (180, 50)  
Oct.  6  23  3.41    4 33.5   1.245   2.188   154   17.3  22:01 (180, 50)  

* 160P/LINEAR

Although it was extremely faint as 20.0 mag on May 27 (Hidetaka Sato), it brightened rapidly. Now it is 16.6 mag (Sept. 15, F. G. Pinilla). It keeps observable in good condition at 17 mag from summer to autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29  23  8.95    7 56.6   1.096   2.068   160   17.3  22:34 (180, 47)  
Oct.  6  23  3.95    8 37.9   1.126   2.072   154   17.4  22:01 (180, 46)  

* C/2012 C1 ( McNaught )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Sept. 11, K. Hills). In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable at 17 mag in good condition for a long time from 2012 to 2013. It is not observable at all in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   7 12.00  -57 31.8   4.992   4.941    81   17.4   4:14 (324, 57)  
Oct.  6   7 11.52  -59 43.7   4.958   4.930    82   17.4   4:03 (330, 58)  

* C/2012 S1 ( ISON )

It is expected to be a great comet in 2013 autumn when the comet approaches to the sun down to only 0.01 A.U. It keeps visible with naked eyes from November to January, and can be extremely bright as Venus or more at the highlight. Now it is 17.4 mag (Sept. 23, D. T. Durig). The condition is excellent in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps observable almost all through the period of brightening, at the highlight, and of fading. The condition is not good in the Southern Hemisphere. It is not observable at all the latter part of the highlight, and it keeps low all through the period. The orbit is similar to that of Comet Kirch in 1680.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   8 15.61   27 48.4   6.548   6.216    66   17.5   4:14 (225, 10)  
Oct.  6   8 17.75   27 48.4   6.368   6.147    72   17.4   4:03 (223, 12)  

* P/1997 C1 ( Gehrels )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 1997 at 17 mag. It is expected to keep 17 mag for a long time from 2012 to 2014. The ephemeris says it is already 18 mag, but it has not been recovered yet. Toru Yusa reported that the comet was not detected, fainter than 19.5 mag, on July 18.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   2 20.16   14 59.7   3.109   3.996   148   17.5   1:49 (180, 40)  
Oct.  6   2 17.59   14 43.8   3.045   3.978   155   17.4   1:19 (180, 40)  

* C/2010 G2 ( Hill )

It brightened up to 10 mag from autumn to winter in 2011. It has already faded down to 18.3 mag (Sept. 22, Jakub Cerny). 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)  
Sept.29   5  0.03  -39 17.7   4.321   4.669   104   17.7   4:14 (327, 85)  
Oct.  6   4 55.98  -41 13.9   4.338   4.727   106   17.8   3:57 (  0, 84)  

* (3200) Phaethon

In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be observable at 17.5 mag in excellent condition in October and November. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   3 40.82   45  4.2   1.426   2.104   119   17.8   3:10 (180, 10)  
Oct.  6   3 25.23   45 19.0   1.384   2.142   127   17.7   2:27 (180, 10)  

* 65P/Gunn

It brightened up to 12 mag in 2010. Now the comet is around the aphelion. But it will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from autumn to winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   4 44.71   20 50.1   4.072   4.567   113   17.8   4:13 (180, 34)  
Oct.  6   4 43.90   20 54.0   3.984   4.576   120   17.7   3:45 (180, 34)  

* P/2011 N1 ( ASH )

It was observed at 17 mag in 2011 autumn. It was expected to be observable at 17 mag in good condition again from autumn to winter in 2012. But actually, the comet was not detected, fainter than 21.0 mag (Sept. 21, Hidetaka Sato). The comet must have faded out very rapidly.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Sept.29   6 33.98   23 39.1   2.855   2.997    88   20.7   4:14 (208, 26)  
Oct.  6   6 39.17   24 36.7   2.772   3.013    94   20.8   4:03 (205, 26)  

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