Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2012 Nov. 17: South)

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Updated on November 17, 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 )

It brightened up to 9.0 mag in 2012 autumn (Nov. 4, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It is not observable now. 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)  
Nov. 17  16 34.48  -13  2.9   2.862   1.935    16    9.4  20:24 ( 65,-11)  
Nov. 24  16 48.52  -15 35.5   2.858   1.907    12    9.4  20:33 ( 59,-14)  

* C/2011 L4 ( PanSTARRS )

It is expected to be a great comet of -1 mag in 2013 spring. It brightened up to 10.1 mag in 2012 autumn (Oct. 14, Marco Goiato). It brightened faster than originally expected. It is not observable now. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning low sky at 8 mag in late December. 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)  
Nov. 17  15 55.92  -31 51.1   3.257   2.311    14   10.2  20:24 ( 45, -5)  
Nov. 24  16  5.36  -32 48.2   3.160   2.205    12    9.9  20:33 ( 40, -8)  

* C/2012 K5 ( LINEAR )

Now it is bright at 10.1 mag (Nov. 12, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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. It turns to be in the morning sky after November, and will be getting higher rapidly. 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)  
Nov. 17  14 19.51   42 17.2   1.189   1.157    63   10.7   3:06 (240,-38)  
Nov. 24  14 13.08   43 37.8   1.040   1.144    68   10.3   3:00 (237,-33)  

* 168P/Hergenrother

It brightened very rapidly. Now it is very bright visually as 10.5 mag (Nov. 12, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It keeps high for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere. But the comet will be fading after this. It locates very low in the Southern Hemisphere. The nuclear split was observed in late October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17  23 46.18   39 30.7   0.680   1.506   127   11.6  20:24 (175, 15)  
Nov. 24  23 53.80   40 30.2   0.739   1.534   124   12.3  20:33 (169, 13)  

* 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 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)  
Nov. 17  15 18.05  -42  8.9   2.978   2.107    23   12.1   3:06 (324,  1)  
Nov. 24  15 26.75  -40 43.2   3.011   2.122    21   12.2   3:00 (321,  2)  

* C/2012 F6 ( Lemmon )

Getting brighter much faster than expected. Now it is so bright as 11.8 mag (Nov. 14, V. Gerke, A. Novichonok, S. Plaksa). It must be visible visually. It will approach to the sun down to 0.73 A.U. in 2013 March. It may brighten up to 3 mag at best. 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 9 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)  
Nov. 17  11 29.22   -9 43.8   2.626   2.277    58   13.0   3:06 (266, 22)  
Nov. 24  11 35.36  -12 26.9   2.439   2.183    63   12.5   3:00 (267, 27)  

* 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 very bright as 12.8 mag still now (Oct. 20, Katsumi Yoshimoto).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17  10  5.55   -4 42.8   4.293   4.236    80   12.9   3:06 (248, 36)  
Nov. 24  10  3.28   -5 40.6   4.238   4.302    87   13.0   3:00 (243, 41)  

* 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)  
Nov. 17  15 26.30  -15 39.1   6.369   5.383     3   13.4   3:06 (307,-20)  
Nov. 24  15 28.01  -15 54.3   6.372   5.399     8   13.4   3:00 (304,-16)  

* C/2011 UF305 ( LINEAR )

It brightened much faster than expected, and reached up to 10.0 mag in summer (Aug. 9, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading, but it is bright as 13.0 ma still now (Nov. 15, Sandor Szabo). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable at 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)  
Nov. 17   9 53.82   26  9.1   2.282   2.537    93   13.6   3:06 (222, 15)  
Nov. 24   9 46.04   24 49.3   2.197   2.580   101   13.6   3:00 (217, 20)  

* C/2010 S1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 13.3 mag (Nov. 15, Sandor Szabo). 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)  
Nov. 17  20 38.54   39 14.0   5.919   6.042    92   13.6  20:24 (142,  1)  
Nov. 24  20 38.67   37 50.7   5.990   6.032    87   13.6  20:33 (135, -3)  

* 262P/2012 K7 ( McNaught-Russell )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 1994. Although it had been much fainter than expected, it is brightening rapidly now. Now it is bright as 13.2 mag and visible visually (Nov. 12, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It will be observable at 13 mag in excellent condition from autumn to winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17  21 26.05    4 12.8   0.840   1.302    90   13.8  20:24 (127, 35)  
Nov. 24  21 52.99    1 32.8   0.844   1.288    89   13.8  20:33 (122, 35)  

* C/2009 F4 ( McNaught )

Now it is bright as 13.3 mag (Oct. 19, 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)  
Nov. 17   3 50.04  -56 52.9   5.622   5.939   104   13.9   0:06 (  0, 68)  
Nov. 24   3 40.82  -56 14.1   5.657   5.959   103   14.0  23:24 (  0, 69)  

* C/2012 J1 ( Catalina )

Now it is bright and visible visually at 12.2 mag (Nov. 16, Marco Goiato). It keeps 12-14 mag until February. It keeps observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be getting lower gradually after this, and will be unobservable in late January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17  23 46.51   27 26.2   2.455   3.165   128   14.0  20:24 (174, 27)  
Nov. 24  23 50.59   25 55.6   2.512   3.161   123   14.0  20:33 (165, 28)  

* 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)  
Nov. 17  15 47.07  -15 44.0   3.890   2.906     5   14.0  20:24 ( 55,-18)  
Nov. 24  15 58.74  -16 39.0   3.886   2.901     3   14.0   3:00 (310,-21)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Appearing in the morning sky in late November.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17  13 33.99  -18 13.2   7.102   6.242    27   14.2   3:06 (291,  2)  
Nov. 24  13 38.72  -18 45.0   7.045   6.241    33   14.2   3:00 (289,  5)  

* 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. It is bright as 12.9 mag still now (Nov. 15, Uwe Pilz). It keeps high for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere. But the comet will be fading after this. It locates very low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17   1 30.28   42 39.1   0.740   1.652   145   14.3  21:43 (180, 12)  
Nov. 24   1 31.02   42 22.3   0.792   1.684   142   14.7  21:16 (180, 13)  

* (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)  
Nov. 17  18 40.74  -31 24.6   3.180   2.570    44   14.3  20:24 ( 67, 23)  
Nov. 24  18 54.78  -31 15.9   3.247   2.579    40   14.3  20:33 ( 64, 19)  

* C/2012 L2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is visible visually at 14.7 mag (Nov. 15, Sandor Szabo). 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)  
Nov. 17  20  6.75   81 34.5   2.279   2.720   105   14.6  20:24 (171,-31)  
Nov. 24  20 46.46   80 11.8   2.186   2.652   107   14.4  20:33 (170,-30)  

* C/2012 L1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is visible visually at 15.0 mag (Nov. 15, Sandor Szabo). It keeps 15 mag until March. 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)  
Nov. 17  13 55.95   73  0.6   2.025   2.305    93   15.2   3:06 (201,-38)  
Nov. 24  13 58.60   75 33.5   1.935   2.291    97   15.0   3:00 (198,-37)  

* C/2012 A2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is visible visually at 14.4 mag (Nov. 15, Sandor Szabo). It keeps 15-16 mag until February. 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 10.4 mag visually on Nov. 6.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17   9  0.61   86 54.5   3.086   3.539   109   15.5   3:06 (182,-32)  
Nov. 24   2 54.52   88  2.7   3.046   3.542   112   15.5  22:18 (180,-33)  

* 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. Now it is 15.8 mag (Oct. 19, Hiroshi Abe). It will be observable also in the Southern Hemisphere from early December to early March, although it locates low.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17  11 28.40   18 50.5   5.227   4.981    70   15.6   3:06 (243,  5)  
Nov. 24  11 30.42   19 38.8   5.065   4.939    77   15.5   3:00 (239,  8)  

* C/2012 T5 ( Bressi )

Brightening very rapidly. Now it is 15.1 mag (Nov. 15, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Nov. 17   3 16.59    9 44.1   1.100   2.081   170   15.9  23:27 (180, 46)  
Nov. 24   2 55.30    5 25.0   1.020   1.971   158   15.5  22:38 (180, 50)  

* C/2011 O1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 14.8 mag (Oct. 7, 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)  
Nov. 17  19 36.65  -80 26.6   4.255   3.969    66   15.6  20:24 ( 11, 38)  
Nov. 24  20 12.67  -80  6.2   4.292   3.982    65   15.7  20:33 ( 12, 38)  

* 78P/Gehrels 2

It kept as bright as 11-12 mag for a long time from 2011 autumn to 2012 spring. Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 17.1 mag (Nov. 14, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Nov. 17  10 24.38    3 38.1   3.088   3.047    78   15.9   3:06 (244, 27)  
Nov. 24  10 29.09    3  0.4   3.020   3.080    84   15.9   3:00 (241, 30)  

* C/2012 S1 ( ISON )

Now it is 16.5 mag (Nov. 12, Gerke, A. Novichonok, S. Plaksa). 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. 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.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17   8 19.55   28 35.6   5.254   5.728   114   16.7   3:06 (201, 23)  
Nov. 24   8 17.44   28 51.9   5.078   5.657   121   16.6   3:00 (196, 24)  

* 63P/Wild 1

Now it is 18.4 mag (Nov. 13, R. Naves, M. Campas). It will brighten very rapidly, and 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)  
Nov. 17   9 42.77   36 57.0   2.038   2.398    98   16.9   3:06 (213,  8)  
Nov. 24   9 52.93   36 46.4   1.929   2.361   103   16.6   3:00 (212,  9)  

* C/2012 V2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.0 mag (Nov. 12, Yasukazu Ikari). It will brighten up to 12 mag from summer to autumn in 2013. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable only until 2013 spring when the comet brightens up to 15 mag. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps unobservable until 2013 August. Then it keeps observable while fading gradually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17  21 28.93   68 53.6   3.289   3.709   107   17.3  20:24 (166,-18)  
Nov. 24  21 36.96   67 19.5   3.230   3.640   106   17.2  20:33 (162,-18)  

* C/2012 C1 ( McNaught )

Now it is 17.3 mag (Nov. 10, 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)  
Nov. 17   6 20.29  -72 25.0   4.876   4.878    84   17.3   2:36 (  0, 53)  
Nov. 24   5 57.83  -73 59.6   4.883   4.871    83   17.3   1:46 (  0, 51)  

* C/2008 S3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 17.3 mag (Nov. 11, H. Denzau). 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)  
Nov. 17  22 14.52    7 11.0   8.354   8.627   102   17.5  20:24 (141, 40)  
Nov. 24  22 12.99    6 48.3   8.491   8.643    95   17.5  20:33 (131, 34)  

* (3200) Phaethon

Now it is 17.4 mag (Sept. 29, Jean-Francois Soulier). 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)  
Nov. 17   1 31.67   36 56.1   1.409   2.311   148   17.6  21:43 (180, 18)  
Nov. 24   1 19.58   34 30.7   1.470   2.330   142   17.8  21:04 (180, 21)  

* 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. However, now it is 19.2 mag (Nov. 12, Gerke, A. Novichonok, S. Plaksa), much fainter than this ephemeris.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17   4 23.94   20 56.9   3.676   4.645   167   17.6   0:40 (180, 34)  
Nov. 24   4 18.93   20 53.2   3.669   4.653   175   17.6   0:08 (180, 34)  

* C/2012 Q1 ( Kowalski )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Oct. 19, H. Denzau). Because it is a very distant object, it keeps 18 mag for a long time until 2014.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17  22  5.36   10  8.4   9.320   9.567   101   17.7  20:24 (141, 36)  
Nov. 24  22  6.53    9 46.4   9.433   9.571    95   17.7  20:33 (132, 31)  

* C/2012 S4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Nov. 10, J. Lozano). 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)  
Nov. 17  23 35.82   46 58.8   4.079   4.717   125   17.8  20:24 (174,  8)  
Nov. 24  23 31.02   44 35.5   4.118   4.696   120   17.8  20:33 (166,  9)  

* 2008 YB3

Peculiar asteroid moving along a cometary orbit. It keeps observable at 18 mag for a long time from 2008 to 2014. It locates extremely low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17   8  5.58   34  5.8   6.539   7.053   117   17.8   3:06 (196, 19)  
Nov. 24   8  2.89   34 53.5   6.451   7.064   125   17.8   3:00 (191, 19)  

* C/2011 A3 ( Gibbs )

Jakub Cerny reported the comet brightened up to 14.5 mag in late July. It is bright as 15.7 mag still now (Oct. 19, 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)  
Nov. 17  22 50.16  -28 19.6   3.993   4.237    97   17.9  20:24 (106, 71)  
Nov. 24  22 53.16  -27 47.4   4.148   4.292    91   18.1  20:33 ( 99, 64)  

* 244P/2010 Q1 ( Scotti )

It reached up to 17 mag in last winter between 2011 and 2012. It will be observable in good condition again at 17.5 mag in this winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17   9 38.17   15 55.9   3.906   4.084    93   18.0   3:06 (225, 25)  
Nov. 24   9 40.83   15 44.0   3.808   4.091    99   17.9   3:00 (221, 28)  

* 270P/2012 S5 ( Gehrels )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 1997 at 17 mag. Now it is 18.1 mag (Nov. 14, R. Ligustri). It was expected to keep 17 mag for a long time from 2012 to 2014. But actually, it is fainter than predicted by 1-2 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Nov. 17   1 57.37   12 32.6   2.949   3.877   156   19.1  22:09 (180, 42)  
Nov. 24   1 54.62   12 12.8   2.982   3.862   149   19.1  21:39 (180, 43)  

* 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)  
Nov. 17   6 47.83   31 57.4   2.355   3.123   133   20.4   3:03 (180, 23)  
Nov. 24   6 44.80   33 24.0   2.313   3.144   141   20.4   2:33 (180, 22)  

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