Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2012 Oct. 20: South)

Japanese version
Home page
Updated on October 21, 2012
Last week North Next week

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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

* 168P/Hergenrother

It brightened very rapidly. Now it is very bright visually as 9.5 mag (Oct. 18, Marco Goiato). 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)  
Oct. 20  23 46.12   31 26.2   0.490   1.429   146    9.6  21:48 (180, 23)  
Oct. 27  23 41.26   34 20.3   0.529   1.443   140   10.0  21:16 (180, 20)  

* C/2011 F1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is so bright as 9.3 mag (Oct. 5, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be unobservable soon. 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)  
Oct. 20  15 44.11   -2 13.3   2.857   2.080    31    9.8  19:48 ( 88,  1)  
Oct. 27  15 55.88   -5  1.1   2.861   2.039    28    9.7  19:56 ( 82, -2)  

* C/2011 L4 ( PanSTARRS )

It is expected to be a great comet of -1 mag in 2013 spring. Now it is 10.1 mag (Oct. 14, Marco Goiato). Brightening faster than originally expected. It will be unobservable soon 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.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20  15 25.74  -28 40.0   3.520   2.714    30   11.1  19:48 ( 64, 13)  
Oct. 27  15 32.23  -29 22.5   3.473   2.616    25   10.9  19:56 ( 59,  8)  

* C/2012 K5 ( LINEAR )

Now it is bright at 11.1 mag (Oct. 13, Carlos Labordena). 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 is not observable now. 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)  
Oct. 20  14 32.95   40 39.6   1.645   1.305    52   12.1  19:48 (119,-34)  
Oct. 27  14 30.30   40 40.2   1.554   1.255    53   11.7  19:56 (116,-42)  

* C/2011 R1 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 11.4 mag (Oct. 15, 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)  
Oct. 20  14 34.84  -49  2.9   2.735   2.080    40   11.9  19:48 ( 41, 16)  
Oct. 27  14 47.18  -47  5.9   2.811   2.081    35   11.9  19:56 ( 40, 12)  

* 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. Now it is 15.8 mag by CCD observations (Oct. 3, P. Dupouy).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20  10  7.30   -0 33.5   4.479   3.971    53   12.7   3:42 (257, 18)  
Oct. 27  10  7.85   -1 37.8   4.441   4.038    60   12.8   3:32 (256, 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 12.2 mag (Oct. 9, Uwe Pilz). 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)  
Oct. 20   1 47.33   39 58.6   0.605   1.551   150   13.2  23:49 (180, 15)  
Oct. 27   1 41.08   41 25.7   0.627   1.572   150   13.4  23:15 (180, 13)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

It brightened up to 11-12 mag in 2012. Now it is not observable. 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)  
Oct. 20  15 19.89  -14 34.2   6.210   5.323    24   13.3  19:48 ( 74,  3)  
Oct. 27  15 21.32  -14 50.8   6.271   5.337    18   13.4  19:56 ( 69, -3)  

* 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)  
Oct. 20  10  8.46   31 37.5   2.612   2.381    65   13.4   3:42 (232, -2)  
Oct. 27  10  6.89   30 12.2   2.535   2.417    71   13.4   3:32 (231,  2)  

* 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)  
Oct. 20  16 51.03  -15  3.2   1.804   1.337    46   13.5  19:48 ( 87, 22)  
Oct. 27  17 18.14  -17 41.8   1.846   1.366    46   13.7  19:56 ( 83, 22)  

* 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)  
Oct. 20  20 45.90   45 30.2   5.691   6.088   108   13.5  19:48 (170,  8)  
Oct. 27  20 42.69   43 52.0   5.737   6.076   105   13.5  19:56 (162,  8)  

* 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)  
Oct. 20   4 27.04  -57 40.6   5.543   5.862   103   13.8   2:33 (  0, 67)  
Oct. 27   4 18.33  -57 43.9   5.554   5.881   104   13.8   1:57 (  0, 67)  

* C/2012 J1 ( Catalina )

Now it is bright and visible visually at 12.8 mag (Oct. 5, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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)  
Oct. 20  23 39.61   33 48.7   2.334   3.193   143   13.9  21:42 (180, 21)  
Oct. 27  23 39.94   32 15.2   2.347   3.184   141   13.9  21:15 (180, 23)  

* 246P/2010 V2 ( NEAT )

It brightened rapidly, and reached up to 12 mag in 2012. It is not observable now. 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)  
Oct. 20  15  2.36  -11 36.0   3.843   2.930    20   14.1  19:48 ( 74, -2)  
Oct. 27  15 13.21  -12 41.8   3.864   2.924    16   14.1  19:56 ( 70, -6)  

* (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)  
Oct. 20  17 46.98  -31 14.9   2.871   2.537    60   14.2  19:48 ( 77, 41)  
Oct. 27  17 59.94  -31 23.8   2.953   2.545    56   14.2  19:56 ( 74, 36)  

* 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)  
Oct. 20  13 14.12  -16  4.3   7.228   6.245     8   14.3   3:42 (298,-10)  
Oct. 27  13 19.17  -16 36.5   7.213   6.244    12   14.3   3:32 (296, -7)  

* 185P/Petriew

It brightened rapidly, and reached up to 10 mag from July to August. Now it is fading. But it is bright as 12.8 mag still now (Sept. 22, Jakub Cerny). It keeps observable in the morning sky after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20   9 52.33    0 39.3   1.568   1.332    57   15.1   3:42 (254, 21)  
Oct. 27  10  6.12   -1 18.6   1.586   1.397    60   15.8   3:32 (255, 23)  

* C/2012 F6 ( Lemmon )

Appearing in the morning sky. Now it is 15.3 mag, much brighter than origianlly predicted (Oct. 14, Hidetaka Sato). It is expected to brighten up to 5-6 mag in 2013 spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable while brightening gradually after this in good condition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is only observable until early January when it becomes 10 mag. After 2013 May, it keeps observable in good condition while fading gradually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20  11  4.54   -1 14.7   3.330   2.640    39   15.4   3:42 (266,  7)  
Oct. 27  11 10.71   -3  5.7   3.163   2.550    44   15.1   3:32 (266, 11)  

* C/2012 L2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.1 mag (Oct. 9, 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)  
Oct. 20  17 39.87   85 29.7   2.690   2.997    98   15.4  19:48 (175,-33)  
Oct. 27  18 12.86   84 38.2   2.583   2.927   100   15.2  19:56 (174,-32)  

* 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)  
Oct. 20  17 34.74  -80 42.5   4.067   3.928    74   15.5  19:48 ( 11, 39)  
Oct. 27  18  0.44  -80 44.2   4.120   3.937    72   15.5  19:56 ( 11, 39)  

* C/2012 L1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 16.0 mag (Oct. 7, V. Gerke, S. Plaksai). 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)  
Oct. 20  13 40.98   67 49.5   2.381   2.385    78   15.7  19:48 (153,-44)  
Oct. 27  13 44.62   68 28.9   2.297   2.361    81   15.5   3:32 (206,-42)  

* 78P/Gehrels 2

It kept as bright as 11-12 mag for a long time from 2011 autumn to 2012 spring. Now it is 16.4 mag (Sept. 25, Hiroshi Abe). 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)  
Oct. 20   9 58.39    6 39.8   3.327   2.917    57   15.6   3:42 (250, 16)  
Oct. 27  10  5.85    5 50.9   3.273   2.950    62   15.7   3:32 (249, 18)  

* C/2012 A2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 15.7 mag (Sept. 25, Hiroshi Abe)。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)  
Oct. 20  10 13.62   74 48.2   3.385   3.541    90   15.7   3:42 (196,-29)  
Oct. 27  10 15.35   77 28.2   3.295   3.538    95   15.6   3:32 (193,-29)  

* C/2011 J2 ( LINEAR )

It is expected to keep 13 mag and observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere for a long time from 2013 to 2014. Although it had been unobservable for a while, it is appearing in the morning sky now. It keeps unobservable until late November in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20  11 16.90   16 40.9   5.816   5.153    44   15.9   3:42 (254, -6)  
Oct. 27  11 20.17   17  5.3   5.680   5.110    50   15.9   3:32 (251, -3)  

* 262P/2012 K7 ( McNaught-Russell )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 1994. Now it is 17.0 mag (Yasukazu Ikari). It was expected to brighten rapidly, to reach up to 13.5 mag, and to be observable in good condition from autumn to winter. But actually, it is much fainter than this ephemeris.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20  20  1.14   15 27.8   0.887   1.421    97   16.3  19:48 (150, 34)  
Oct. 27  20 18.45   12 41.7   0.868   1.383    95   16.1  19:56 (143, 34)  

* 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. It became brighter furthermore, up to 15.9 mag, on Sept. 22 (Jakub Cerny). But it is fading now. It has already faded down to 17.3 mag (Oct. 4, Toshiyuki Takahashi). 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)  
Oct. 20   2 22.52   27 50.4   2.127   3.080   159   16.8   0:29 (180, 27)  
Oct. 27   2 15.47   27 21.3   2.147   3.119   165   17.0  23:50 (180, 28)  

* 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 17.2 mag (Oct. 12, A. Knoefel). 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)  
Oct. 20   8 20.71   27 54.7   5.998   6.009    85   17.2   3:42 (217, 16)  
Oct. 27   8 21.39   28  1.2   5.810   5.940    92   17.1   3:32 (214, 18)  

* C/2012 T5 ( Bressi )

New comet. Now it is 17.5 mag (Oct. 17, A. Knoefel). It approaches to the Sun down to 0.3 A.U. in 2013 February. The ephemeris says it will brighten up to 7 mag. However, because the comet is small, it may be disintegrated. It keeps observable in good condition until February while brightening gradually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20   4 12.05   20 45.0   1.632   2.493   141   17.5   2:18 (180, 34)  
Oct. 27   4  2.81   18 51.4   1.472   2.392   151   17.1   1:42 (180, 36)  

* 270P/2012 S5 ( Gehrels )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 1997 at 17 mag. Now it is 19.2 mag (Sept. 25, Mt. Lemmon Survey). It was expected to keep 17 mag for a long time from 2012 to 2014. But actually, it is fainter than predicted by 2 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20   2 11.46   14  4.9   2.955   3.942   171   17.3   0:18 (180, 41)  
Oct. 27   2  7.78   13 41.7   2.932   3.925   179   17.2  23:42 (180, 41)  

* C/2011 A3 ( Gibbs )

Jakub Cerny reported the comet brightened up to 14.5 mag in late July. However, it has already faded down to 16.7 mag (Oct. 5, F. G. Pinilla). 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)  
Oct. 20  22 44.78  -29 47.1   3.401   4.017   121   17.2  20:48 (180, 85)  
Oct. 27  22 45.04  -29 32.8   3.542   4.072   115   17.4  20:20 (180, 84)  

* C/2008 S3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Oct. 4, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Oct. 20  22 25.08    9  5.1   7.868   8.567   132   17.3  20:28 (180, 46)  
Oct. 27  22 21.77    8 33.8   7.976   8.582   124   17.3  19:57 (180, 46)  

* C/2012 C1 ( McNaught )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Sept. 29, 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)  
Oct. 20   7  5.75  -64 12.2   4.907   4.910    84   17.4   3:42 (342, 58)  
Oct. 27   6 59.57  -66 24.9   4.891   4.901    84   17.3   3:32 (348, 57)  

* (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)  
Oct. 20   2 46.33   44 27.7   1.331   2.208   142   17.5   0:54 (180, 10)  
Oct. 27   2 25.28   43 13.2   1.325   2.238   149   17.4   0:05 (180, 12)  

* 261P/2012 K4 ( Larson )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 2005. Now it is 16.9 mag (Oct. 6, J. F. Hernandez). 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)  
Oct. 20  23  1.07    4  4.2   1.332   2.192   140   17.5  21:04 (180, 51)  
Oct. 27  23  2.00    3 56.4   1.389   2.196   133   17.6  20:37 (180, 51)  

* 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 16.7 mag (Oct. 6, J. F. Hernandez). 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)  
Oct. 20  17 59.90   36 21.3   2.113   2.121    76   17.5  19:48 (138,  2)  
Oct. 27  18  4.75   36  9.8   2.231   2.186    74   17.6  19:56 (133, -3)  

* 71P/Clark

The condition of this apparition is bad, and it was not observable around the perihelion passage. Now it is 16.5 mag (Oct. 6, Catalina Sky Survey). It will be fainter than 18 mag in late October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20   1 30.13    0 12.6   1.965   2.949   169   17.6  23:32 (180, 55)  
Oct. 27   1 23.70   -0  2.2   2.019   2.985   163   17.8  22:58 (180, 55)  

* 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)  
Oct. 20   8  8.24    7 21.1   2.369   2.478    84   17.6   3:42 (228, 35)  
Oct. 27   8 12.66    6 48.0   2.327   2.530    89   17.9   3:32 (225, 37)  

* 160P/LINEAR

Although it was extremely faint as 20.0 mag on May 27 (Hidetaka Sato), it brightened rapidly. Now it is 16.8 mag (Sept. 25, K. Hills). 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)  
Oct. 20  22 58.35    9 48.6   1.217   2.083   140   17.6  21:01 (180, 45)  
Oct. 27  22 58.04   10 21.4   1.275   2.091   133   17.8  20:33 (180, 45)  

* 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. Now it is 19.4 mag (Oct. 9, Mt. Lemmon Survey), fainter than this ephemeris.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20   4 39.86   20 58.2   3.831   4.594   135   17.7   2:46 (180, 34)  
Oct. 27   4 36.71   20 58.5   3.768   4.603   143   17.6   2:15 (180, 34)  

* C/2012 T4 ( McNaught )

New comet. Now it is 17.3 mag (Oct. 13, R. H. McNaught). But it will be fainter than 18 mag soon. It locates very low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20  19 37.82  -39 49.0   1.817   1.964    83   17.7  19:48 ( 70, 65)  
Oct. 27  19 56.91  -39 38.9   1.881   1.971    80   17.8  19:56 ( 70, 61)  

* C/2012 S4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Sept. 29, A. Diepvens). It keeps 17-18 mag for a long time until the end of 2013. The condition is good in the Northern Hemisphere. It is hardly observable in 2012 in the Northern Hemisphere. But it will be observable in good condition in 2013.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20   0 11.33   55 49.7   4.042   4.759   131   17.8  22:13 (180, -1)  
Oct. 27  23 59.99   53 50.1   4.013   4.736   131   17.8  21:34 (180,  1)  

* C/2012 T6 ( Kowalski )

New comet. Now it is 17.5 mag (Oct. 17, Hidetaka Sato). But it will be fainter than 18 mag soon.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20   5  9.60  -18  9.4   1.221   1.931   120   17.8   3:15 (180, 73)  
Oct. 27   5 12.18  -21  4.0   1.237   1.966   123   17.9   2:50 (180, 76)  

* 63P/Wild 1

Now it is 20.5 mag (Sept. 17, O. Burhonov, A. Novichonok). It will brighten very rapidly, and will reach up to 13 mag from winter to spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in excellent condition. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps locating extremely low for a while.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20   8 55.70   37 54.1   2.497   2.553    81   18.2   3:42 (217,  4)  
Oct. 27   9  8.24   37 38.8   2.380   2.513    85   17.9   3:32 (217,  5)  

* 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 is 19.4 mag (Sept. 29, G. Hug), much fainter than this ephemeris. Hidetaka Sato reported that it was not detected, fainter than 21.0 mag (Sept. 21). The comet must have faded out very rapidly.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 20   6 46.72   26 44.7   2.613   3.047   106   20.3   3:42 (198, 26)  
Oct. 27   6 48.87   27 56.0   2.539   3.065   112   20.3   3:32 (194, 26)  

---------------------------------------------------------------------

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