Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2013 Dec. 28: South)

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Updated on December 31, 2013
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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/2013 R1 ( Lovejoy )

It passed only 0.4 A.U. from the earth, and 0.8 A.U. from the sun in November and December, and brightened up to 4.7 mag (Nov. 28, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is 5.7 mag (Dec. 30, Uwe Pilz). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in excellent condition for a long time until 2014 autumn when the comet will fade out. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not be observable from mid November to early February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  17 19.78   22 19.7   1.009   0.818    48    5.4   3:00 (266,-35)  
Jan.  4  17 34.01   18 47.5   1.134   0.845    46    5.9   3:06 (267,-30)  

* C/2012 X1 ( LINEAR )

Although it was predicted to be 14 mag, it brightened up to 8 mag in outburst in mid October. It is bright as 9.1 mag still now (Dec. 25, Marek Biely). Mitsunori Tsumura reported the comet got active again in December.It will be observable in excellent condition in 2014 spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be getting higher gradually in the morning sky. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until 2014 February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  16 16.56   11 54.7   2.273   1.765    47    9.6   3:00 (267,-17)  
Jan.  4  16 37.91   10 30.1   2.227   1.727    47    9.9   3:06 (267,-14)  

* C/2013 V3 ( Nevski )

New bright comet. It brightened very rapidly after discovered on Nov. 6 at 15 mag. Now it is bright as 10.1 mag but diffuse (Dec. 29, Carlos Labordena). It seems to keep 10-11 mag for a while after this. It is observable in excellent condition 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)  
Dec. 28  11  1.30   31 55.5   0.869   1.602   119   10.7   3:00 (202, 20)  
Jan.  4  11 11.18   35 59.0   0.883   1.650   124   10.9   3:06 (195, 17)  

* C/2012 S1 ( ISON )

It was expected to be a great comet as it approached to the sun down to only 0.01 A.U. on Nov. 28. It brightened up to -2.5 mag at best. However, the comet's nucleus disrupted at the perihelion passage. After that, the dust remnant had been visible until Dec. 6 on the STEREO spacecraft images. However, the dust remnant has not been detected by CCD observations on the ground. The nucleus is not detected, fainter than 18 mag (Dec. 13, Lorenzo Comolli). But visual observers reported it was visible at 7.5 mag on Dec. 6 (Piotr Guzik), 7.2 mag on Dec. 7 (Juan Jose Gonzalez), and 9.6 mag on Dec. 9 (Jakub Cerny). It approaches to the earth down to 0.4 A.U. from mid December to early January. It will be observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere, but it is extremely hard to catch the comet. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  16 25.18   56 39.4   0.430   1.031    83   10.8   3:00 (222,-36)  
Jan.  4  17 14.93   79 58.9   0.480   1.192   103   11.7   3:06 (193,-38)  

* 154P/Brewington

It brightened very rapidly, and brightened up to 10.5 mag from autumn to winter. It is bright as 11.8 mag still now (Dec. 29, J. P. Navarro Pina). It will be fading after this. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in excellent condition until May when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. It will not be observable after this in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  23 37.36   17 26.4   1.354   1.617    85   11.1  21:03 (124, 14)  
Jan.  4  23 54.28   19 28.3   1.409   1.627    83   11.3  21:03 (123, 11)  

* 290P/2013 N1 ( Jager )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 1998. It brightened up to 10 mag at the discovery. Now it is 12.7 mag (Dec. 4, Juan Jose Gonzalez). A bit fainter than originally expected. But in the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in excellent condition from autumn to spring. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   6 34.88   38 42.9   1.304   2.266   164   12.5   0:11 (180, 16)  
Jan.  4   6 28.57   37 31.2   1.286   2.247   163   12.3  23:32 (180, 18)  

* C/2012 K1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is bright as 13.6 mag (Dec. 11, Hidetaka Sato). It is expected to brighten up to 5-6 mag in 2014 autumn. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be getting higher gradually after this, and it keeps observable in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will not be observable until 2014 February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  16 18.22   10 28.3   4.134   3.525    46   12.6   3:00 (269,-17)  
Jan.  4  16 22.01   10 49.5   3.984   3.449    50   12.4   3:06 (264,-11)  

* 2P/Encke

It brightened rapidly as expected. It passed the perihelion on Nov. 21, and brightened up to 7.8 mag (Nov. 18, Todd Augustyniak). It will never be observable after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  18 21.19  -28 19.0   1.874   0.899     5   12.9   3:00 (319,-13)  
Jan.  4  18 50.34  -27 55.2   1.992   1.017     5   13.9   3:06 (318,-13)  

* C/2012 V2 ( LINEAR )

It became much brighter than expected, and reached up to 8.5 mag (Aug. 15, Alexandre Amorim). Now it is fading, but it is bright as 11.1 mag still now (Dec. 15, Carlos Labordena). In the Southern Hemisphere, it will keep observable in good condition for a long time until 2014 summer when the comet fades out. It will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  14 57.48  -64 56.3   2.767   2.320    53   13.1   3:00 (329, 34)  
Jan.  4  15 20.21  -65 43.0   2.812   2.389    55   13.4   3:06 (330, 35)  

* C/2011 J2 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 12.8 mag and visible visually (Dec. 5, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It keeps 13-14 mag and observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere for a long time from 2013 to 2014. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until 2014 autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  21 12.91   80 16.6   3.042   3.443   105   13.6  21:03 (168,-35)  
Jan.  4  21 59.08   77  7.9   3.080   3.445   103   13.7  21:03 (164,-34)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

It brightened up to 11-12 mag in 2012. Now it is 14.8 mag (Dec. 10, Hidetaka Sato). It will be observable in good condition at 14 mag until 2014 early summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  13 29.51  -14 25.6   7.154   6.884    70   13.9   3:00 (266, 32)  
Jan.  4  13 28.47  -14 31.7   7.062   6.917    77   13.9   3:06 (260, 39)  

* C/2010 S1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 12.9 mag (Nov. 27, 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, although it becomes unobservable temporarily in January. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps unobservable until March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  19 31.49    6 25.6   6.899   6.104    33   14.0  21:03 ( 77,-28)  
Jan.  4  19 34.28    5 59.9   6.948   6.117    30   14.0  21:03 ( 73,-33)  

* 17P/Holmes

It brightened up to 2 mag by unusual major outburst in 2007. It will return in 2014. It will be 14 mag at best by normal prediction. But actually, it is already very bright as 13.5 mag (Nov. 25, Hidetaka Sato). It will be unobservable soon, and keeps unobservable until May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  20 30.97  -21 21.9   2.983   2.172    28   14.2  21:03 ( 64,  1)  
Jan.  4  20 45.70  -19 49.1   3.003   2.155    25   14.1  21:03 ( 64, -3)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Appearing in the morning sky. Now it is faint as 16.9 mag (Dec. 22, Martin Masek).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  15 26.09  -27 20.7   6.884   6.174    40   14.1   3:00 (293, 15)  
Jan.  4  15 31.00  -27 42.7   6.805   6.173    46   14.1   3:06 (290, 21)  

* C/2012 F6 ( Lemmon )

It approached to the sun down to 0.73 A.U. on Mar. 24, and brightened up to 4.7 mag (Mar. 11, Michael Mattiazzo). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 14.0 mag (Nov. 27, Sandor Szabo). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition while fading gradually. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  19 48.95   48 44.9   4.235   4.081    74   14.1  21:03 (127,-42)  
Jan.  4  19 57.05   49  0.9   4.337   4.157    72   14.3  21:03 (127,-45)  

* C/2013 V1 ( Boattini )

Now it is 14.1 mag and visible visually (Nov. 27, Sandor Szabo). It keeps 14 mag for a long time until 2014 summer. It keeps observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It is observable only until February in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   3 20.66    0 30.2   1.468   2.226   129   14.3  21:03 (175, 54)  
Jan.  4   3  8.84    3 59.9   1.486   2.169   121   14.2  21:03 (161, 49)  

* C/2013 A1 ( Siding Spring )

Now it is 14.3 mag and visible visually (Dec. 25, Alan Hale). It is expected to brighten up to 7.5 mag and to be observable in excellent condition from summer to autumn in 2014 in the Southern Hemisphere. The condition is bad in the Northern Hemisphere. It will pass extremely close to Mars in 2014 October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   3 35.67  -39  9.5   3.629   4.011   105   14.5  21:06 (  0, 86)  
Jan.  4   3 24.33  -38 42.5   3.638   3.942   100   14.5  21:03 ( 60, 82)  

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

It keeps bright as 13-14 mag for a long time from 2013 to 2014. Now it is not observable. But it will appear in the morning sky again in 2014 February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  17 43.14  -26  6.7   4.050   3.088    10   14.9   3:00 (311, -9)  
Jan.  4  17 55.50  -26 19.5   4.025   3.083    14   14.8   3:06 (308, -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. It has already turned to be stellar.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   0 20.21  -10 46.3   3.140   3.195    84   14.8  21:03 (108, 40)  
Jan.  4   0 24.76   -9 41.0   3.248   3.204    78   14.9  21:03 (104, 35)  

* 4P/Faye

It reaches up to 12 mag in 2014 spring. But the condition in this apparition is bad. It locates low around the brightest days. Now it is 15.5 mag (Dec. 20, F. Garcia). It keeps observable in good condition until winter when the comet will brighten up to 15-16 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  21  7.86  -11 10.7   2.867   2.207    40   15.0  21:03 ( 78,  2)  
Jan.  4  21 21.45  -10 27.1   2.879   2.167    36   14.8  21:03 ( 76, -1)  

* 134P/Kowal-Vavrova

Now it is 16.0 mag (Nov. 30, Ken-ichi Kadota). It is expected to brighten up to 13 mag and to be observable in excellent condition from spring to summer in 2014.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  13 10.43   -9 12.5   2.889   2.826    76   15.1   3:00 (257, 33)  
Jan.  4  13 19.06   -9 59.6   2.777   2.803    81   14.9   3:06 (254, 38)  

* C/2013 N4 ( Borisov )

Now it is 15.1 mag (Dec. 13, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be fading slowly until May when it becomes fainter than 18 mag. It keeps observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It keeps locating extremely low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  13 13.51  -34  9.0   2.378   2.207    67   15.2   3:00 (286, 44)  
Jan.  4  13 19.32  -36 41.6   2.376   2.282    72   15.4   3:06 (288, 50)  

* 52P/Harrington-Abell

Now it is 15.6 mag (Dec. 3, Yasukazu Ikari). It will brighten rapidly and will be observable at 15 mag in winter in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   4  6.64   40 18.0   0.993   1.890   145   15.5  21:38 (180, 15)  
Jan.  4   4  5.27   39 26.3   1.006   1.868   139   15.4  21:10 (180, 16)  

* C/2012 K6 ( McNaught )

It brightened up to 14.0 mag from spring to summer (June 11, Sandor Szabo). Now it is 15.0 mag, much brighter than origianlly predicted (Dec. 11, Hidetaka Sato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be observable at 15-16 mag in excellent condition until spring. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  13 51.82    5 22.0   4.100   3.925    72   15.5   3:00 (252, 16)  
Jan.  4  13 52.06    6 43.8   4.004   3.959    80   15.5   3:06 (245, 21)  

* C/2009 F4 ( McNaught )

Now it is 15.5 mag (Nov. 30, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be fading after this, but it keeps brighter than 18 mag until 2015 spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   3 12.49  -22  8.2   7.066   7.526   114   15.7  21:03 (161, 76)  
Jan.  4   3  9.89  -21 20.9   7.180   7.559   109   15.8  21:03 (139, 73)  

* 84P/Giclas

Now it is 15.3 mag (Dec. 24, Mt. Lemmon Survey). It tends to be brightest 4 months after the perihelion passage. It will reach up to 15.5 mag from autumn to winter, and will be observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   6 13.14   19 26.7   1.299   2.280   174   15.8  23:44 (180, 36)  
Jan.  4   6  7.03   19 59.9   1.343   2.313   167   16.0  23:10 (180, 35)  

* C/2012 L2 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 9-10 mag in 2013 spring. Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 15.8 mag (Oct. 7, Hidetaka Sato). In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time until the comet fades out, although it keeps locating low. It will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  15 59.17  -65 28.9   3.876   3.306    48   16.4   3:00 (332, 28)  
Jan.  4  16 16.91  -65 51.9   3.919   3.374    50   16.6   3:06 (332, 30)  

* C/2012 F3 ( PanSTARRS )

It is expected to brighten up to 13 mag and to be observable in good condition in 2015. Now it is 16.7 mag (Dec. 11, Hidetaka Sato). In 2014, it will be observable at 15 mag in good condition from winter to summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  13 40.67   -4 30.1   5.600   5.367    71   16.5   3:00 (258, 24)  
Jan.  4  13 44.80   -4 40.3   5.450   5.323    77   16.4   3:06 (253, 30)  

* C/2013 V2 ( Borisov )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Dec. 13, Ken-ichi Kadota). It keeps 16 mag for a long time until 2015 summer. It keeps observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It becomes observable only after 2015 in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   4 58.47   53 12.8   3.530   4.377   145   16.7  22:30 (180,  2)  
Jan.  4   4 52.22   53 26.0   3.531   4.341   141   16.6  21:56 (180,  2)  

* C/2012 J1 ( Catalina )

It brightened up to 12-13 mag from autumn to winter in 2012. Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 16.8 mag (Dec. 23, J. Lozano). It keeps observable for a long time until March when the comet becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   5 46.51   -2  0.8   3.877   4.774   152   16.8  23:18 (180, 57)  
Jan.  4   5 42.94   -2 14.6   3.949   4.819   149   16.9  22:47 (180, 57)  

* 119P/Parker-Hartley

Now it is 17.7 mag (Dec. 16, E. Cozzi). It keeps 17 mag for a long time from 2013 summer to early 2015.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   1 41.08   12 38.2   2.565   3.069   111   16.9  21:03 (146, 36)  
Jan.  4   1 44.17   12 41.9   2.652   3.063   105   16.9  21:03 (140, 33)  

* 32P/Comas Sola

Now it is 17.5 mag (Nov. 24, Y. Sugiyama). Brighter than origianlly predicted. It will be observable at 12-13 mag in excellent condition from 2014 summer to 2015 spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will locate low around the highlight.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   0 18.87   -4 45.4   3.048   3.140    86   17.1  21:03 (113, 36)  
Jan.  4   0 22.84   -3 55.0   3.111   3.102    80   17.1  21:03 (109, 31)  

* 292P/2013 O1 ( Li )

First return of a new periodic comet discovered in 1998. Now it is 16.4 mag (Dec. 22, Toshiyuki Takahashi). It is fainter than originally expected by 1-2 mag. It was expected to be observable at 15 mag in good condition from 2013 autumn to early 2014. But actually, it will be 17 mag at best.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   1 40.91  -13 57.5   2.168   2.543   100   17.3  21:03 (124, 57)  
Jan.  4   1 45.00  -11 56.8   2.238   2.536    95   17.3  21:03 (119, 52)  

* P/2013 TL117 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 17.8 mag (Dec. 1, J. De Queiroz, R. Behrend). It keeps close to the earth around 0.7 a.u. until spring. It will brighten up to 16.5 mag in February and March, and will be observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates very low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   0 36.26   20 27.7   0.718   1.314    99   17.5  21:03 (136, 21)  
Jan.  4   0 45.46   21 45.3   0.713   1.269    95   17.3  21:03 (134, 17)  

* P/2013 J2 ( McNaught )

It brightened rapidly and reached up to 13.7 mag in autumn (Oct. 2, Uwe Pilz). A few visual observers reported it as 12 mag. Now it is fading. But it is bright as 15.4 mag still now (Dec. 16, A. Klotz, F. Kugel, J. Nicolas). It will be fainter than 18 mag in January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  23  0.37    9 53.7   2.524   2.453    74   17.4  21:03 (112, 12)  
Jan.  4  23 12.11   10 43.8   2.631   2.484    70   17.6  21:03 (110,  9)  

* C/2013 V5 ( Oukaimeden )

Now it is 17.6 mag (Dec. 7, J. F. Hernandez). It is expected to brighten up to 6 mag in 2014 autumn. At this time, it keeps observable while brightening gradually until April when it becomes 16 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   6 38.49   22 54.2   3.122   4.104   177   17.6   0:14 (180, 32)  
Jan.  4   6 26.10   22 48.0   3.050   4.027   172   17.5  23:29 (180, 32)  

* 291P/2013 N2 ( NEAT )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Dec. 23, Mt. Lemmon Survey). It will be observable at 17 mag in excellent condition from autumn to winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   2 41.98   15 47.0   1.881   2.592   126   17.5  21:03 (165, 38)  
Jan.  4   2 44.41   15 40.8   1.957   2.595   120   17.6  21:03 (158, 36)  

* C/2012 A2 ( LINEAR )

It was observed at 15-16 mag in 2012. Now it is fading slowly. But it keeps 17.5 mag still now (Dec. 13, J. F. Hernandez). It will be fainter than 18 mag in January. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   0  9.88   11  0.3   4.996   5.100    90   17.5  21:03 (124, 24)  
Jan.  4   0 10.33   10 11.6   5.165   5.141    83   17.6  21:03 (119, 20)  

* C/2013 V4 ( Catalina )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Dec. 7, Catalina Sky Survey). It keeps 15-16 mag for a long time from 2015 to 2016. In this winter, it is observable at 17.5 mag until March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   2 57.64   -5 29.9   6.477   7.039   121   17.5  21:03 (163, 59)  
Jan.  4   2 55.31   -4 53.0   6.538   7.006   114   17.5  21:03 (150, 56)  

* 266P/2012 P1 ( Christensen )

Now it is 19.3 mag (Dec. 14, W. Hasubick). In this winter, it is observable at 17.5 mag in good condition until March.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  10 55.41   10 20.1   1.868   2.452   115   17.8   3:00 (209, 40)  
Jan.  4  10 57.50   10  8.2   1.804   2.466   121   17.7   3:06 (200, 43)  

* 124P/Mrkos

Now it is 17.8 mag (Dec. 17, E. Cozzi). It will approach to the earth down to 0.68 a.u., brighten up to 16 mag, and will be observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28  12 15.30   34 44.1   1.387   1.900   105   17.9   3:00 (214, 10)  
Jan.  4  12 23.20   33 58.2   1.298   1.870   109   17.7   3:06 (210, 13)  

* 178P/Hug-Bell

Now it is 16.8 mag (Dec. 23, G. Hug). It keeps 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)  
Dec. 28   7 12.01   21 58.1   1.353   2.327   169   17.8   0:48 (180, 33)  
Jan.  4   7  5.51   22 50.7   1.374   2.357   178   17.9   0:14 (180, 32)  

* C/2010 U3 ( Boattini )

Now it is 17.9 mag (Dec. 8, Hidetaka Sato). It will brighten up to 14 mag around the perihelion passage in 2019. In 2013, it will be observable in good condition at 18 mag from summer to winter. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   2 44.20   27  2.6  12.912  13.563   129   17.9  21:03 (168, 27)  
Jan.  4   2 43.10   27  1.3  12.978  13.534   122   17.9  21:03 (161, 25)  

* C/2012 A1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 18.6 mag (Nov. 24, A. Maury, J.-F Soulier, J. G Bosch). It keeps 18-19 mag for a long time until 2015. It is observable at 18 mag in good condition in this winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 28   6  0.20   10  3.2   6.649   7.604   165   17.9  23:31 (180, 45)  
Jan.  4   5 54.86    9 38.5   6.674   7.605   159   17.9  22:58 (180, 45)  

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