Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2016 Feb. 13: South)

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 Updated on February 13, 2016
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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 X1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is very bright as 8.5 mag (Feb. 3, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It brightened temporarily in outburst in early January, but it returned to the original brightness. It will pass close to the earth from spring to summer, and it is expected to brighten up to 5-6 mag. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable in late February. It will appear in the morning sky again in late April, but it locates low in the south around the high light. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable now. But after appearing in the morning sky again in mid April, it will be observable in excellent condition. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  23 36.36    9 23.5   2.337   1.649    36    8.6  20:28 ( 94,-10)  
Feb. 20  23 35.48    8 16.8   2.384   1.591    28    8.4  20:19 ( 91,-13)

* C/2013 US10 ( Catalina )

Now it is 7.8 mag (Feb. 12, Maik Meyer). It was expected to brighten up to 4-5 mag from autumn to winter. But actually, it was 6 mag at best. It will be fading rapidly after this. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable after this in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   4 32.73   69 52.9   1.179   1.746   107    8.5  20:28 (172,-16)  
Feb. 20   4 14.93   64  7.0   1.380   1.839   100    9.0  20:19 (167,-12)

* C/2014 S2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is so bright as 9.2 mag (Feb. 12, Maik Meyer). It is observable at 9-10 mag until spring in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps unobservable in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  16 12.29   68 12.6   1.841   2.235   100    9.4   3:58 (195,-18)  
Feb. 20  15 46.58   69 41.4   1.832   2.265   102    9.5   4:07 (189,-16)

* C/2014 W2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is bright as 12.4 mag (Jan. 9, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps 12 mag for a long time from 2015 autumn to 2016 summer. In the Northern Hemispehre, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time. It keeps unobservable in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  20 23.96   64 56.2   2.673   2.685    80   12.1   3:58 (211,-37)  
Feb. 20  20 28.71   64 43.4   2.696   2.678    78   12.1   4:07 (211,-34)

* 81P/Wild 2

Now it is 13.6 mag (Jan. 29, Sandor Szabo). It will brighten up to 11 mag from spring to summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition while the comet will be brightening. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   5  2.49   20 13.9   1.597   2.181   113   13.0  20:28 (164, 33)  
Feb. 20   5  5.24   20 32.7   1.637   2.141   106   12.9  20:19 (160, 32)

* 10P/Tempel 2

Now it is 11.8 mag (Jan. 8, Giuseppe Pappa). It keeps 11-13 mag until February. But it keeps very low. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  23 49.20   -9 47.5   2.463   1.696    31   13.3  20:28 ( 81,  4)  
Feb. 20   0  7.67   -7 53.5   2.530   1.734    29   13.5  20:19 ( 82,  3)

* 22P/Kopff

It is not observable now. It will appear in the morning sky in June. But the comet will be faint as 16-17 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  22 39.31  -10 51.4   2.846   1.903    13   13.4  20:28 ( 70,-10)  
Feb. 20  22 55.95   -9 18.5   2.900   1.940    11   13.7  20:19 ( 71,-11)

* 116P/Wild 4

Now it is 13.3 mag (Jan. 9, Seiichi Yoshida). It will brighten up to 13 mag from winter to spring. It will be observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. But it locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  15 20.05  -18 43.9   1.948   2.199    90   13.5   3:58 (244, 60)  
Feb. 20  15 29.21  -19 29.5   1.874   2.205    95   13.4   4:07 (236, 66)

* C/2014 Q2 ( Lovejoy )

It brightened up to 3.7 mag and became a naked eye comet in mid January in 2015 (Jan. 13, Marek Biely). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 14.6 mag (Jan. 26, Ken-ichi Kadota). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable for a long time until the comet fades out. It is not observable until March in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  18 20.96   20 46.6   5.202   4.793    60   13.8   3:58 (244,  1)  
Feb. 20  18 24.31   21  9.4   5.206   4.860    64   13.8   4:07 (238,  7)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Appearing in the morning sky in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be observable soon also in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  19 15.52  -26 40.9   6.724   5.964    36   14.0   3:58 (291, 17)  
Feb. 20  19 20.97  -26 30.3   6.651   5.962    42   13.9   4:07 (287, 23)

* 252P/LINEAR

Now it is 14.0 mag (Feb. 11, Michael Jager). It is expected to brighten very rapidly and reach up to 11 mag in March. In this apparition, it keeps observable in excellent condition both brightening and fading period. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable temporarily in mid March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   5 51.67  -23 57.6   0.218   1.088   112   15.1  20:28 (170, 79)  
Feb. 20   5 47.92  -26 31.0   0.181   1.053   105   14.5  20:19 (140, 80)

* 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

It brightened up to 11.1 mag in 2015 autumn (Sept. 21, Seiichi Yoshida). Now it is 14.0 mag (Jan. 24, Ken-ichi Kadota). It keeps observable in good condition after this, while the comet will be fading gradually. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  12 13.66    9 35.6   1.485   2.350   142   14.7   2:45 (180, 46)  
Feb. 20  12  7.42   10 20.0   1.488   2.402   151   14.9   2:12 (180, 45)

* C/2011 KP36 ( Spacewatch )

Now it is 14.8 mag (Nov. 22, Catalina Sky Survey). Distant object, but it keeps observable at 14-15 mag for a long time from 2015 to 2016. It becomes unobservable temporarily from January to March in the Southern Hemisphere, or from February to April in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  22 36.40   -5 12.0   5.885   4.941    15   14.8  20:28 ( 74,-14)  
Feb. 20  22 43.58   -4 44.5   5.903   4.934    10   14.8  20:19 ( 72,-16)

* 9P/Tempel 1

Now it is 17.9 mag (Jan. 19, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be observable at 11 mag in good condition from spring to summer. It is much fainter than this ephemeris recently. But it will start brightening rapidly soon. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  12 29.76   15 31.0   1.350   2.198   139   15.2   3:01 (180, 40)  
Feb. 20  12 29.40   16 21.9   1.267   2.158   145   14.9   2:33 (180, 39)

* 77P/Longmore

Now it is 16.7 mag (Dec. 11, D. Buczynski). It is observable at 14-15 mag in good condition from winter to summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  13 43.39   -3 41.9   1.786   2.412   117   15.4   3:58 (188, 59)  
Feb. 20  13 44.13   -4 44.9   1.698   2.401   124   15.3   3:48 (180, 60)

* 53P/Van Biesbroeck

Appearing in the morning sky. It will be observable at 14 mag in good condition from spring to summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  18 24.24  -18 13.5   3.062   2.509    47   15.4   3:58 (277, 23)  
Feb. 20  18 38.01  -18  1.1   2.985   2.496    51   15.3   4:07 (273, 28)

* 230P/LINEAR

It kept brightening even after the perihelion passage, and brightened up to 13.0 mag (Dec. 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It keeps observable in excellent condition for a while. But it will be fading after this. It has already faded down to 15.4 mag (Jan. 29, Sandor Szabo). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   5 40.41   24 15.7   0.996   1.735   122   15.4  20:28 (175, 30)  
Feb. 20   5 51.03   25 40.6   1.084   1.772   117   15.7  20:19 (173, 29)

* C/2015 X8 ( NEOWISE )

It passed near by the earth and brightened up to 12.1 mag from mid December to early January (Dec. 20, Thomas Lehmann). Now it is 13 mag (Jan. 26, Giuseppe Pappa). It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. However, it will be fading rapidly after this. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   2 57.17   47  0.7   1.710   2.009    92   15.4  20:28 (151, -2)  
Feb. 20   2 55.97   44  4.5   1.923   2.083    84   15.8  20:19 (146, -1)

* C/2014 W11 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened very rapidly in 2015 spring, and reached up to 13.8 mag (May 11, Sandor Szabo). It is bright as 14.8 mag still now (Jan. 24, Ken-ichi Kadota). It keeps 15 mag for a while until spring. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. But it locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  14 13.41  -28 12.0   3.524   3.859   102   15.5   3:58 (239, 78)  
Feb. 20  14 15.16  -28 45.2   3.450   3.882   108   15.5   4:07 (203, 83)

* C/2013 V4 ( Catalina )

Now it is 15.7 mag (Dec. 19, Y. Sugiyama). It keeps 15-16 mag for a long time until 2016. It keeps observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps unobservable in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   2 42.98   72 44.6   5.035   5.275    98   15.7  20:28 (166,-23)  
Feb. 20   2 45.77   72 30.2   5.114   5.285    94   15.8  20:19 (165,-23)

* 332P/LINEAR

Now it is bright as 15.3 mag (Feb. 10, Katsumi Yoshimoto). First return of an object discovered as an asteroid 2007 VA85 in 2007. Faint tail was observed on Jan. 8 by Hidetaka Sato. It approaches to the earth down to 0.5 a.u., will brighten up to 15-16 mag, and will be observable in excellent condition. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   6 22.43  -25 37.9   0.527   1.315   117   15.8  20:45 (180, 79)  
Feb. 20   5 18.70   -7 35.9   0.578   1.268   105   16.2  20:19 (150, 58)

* C/2015 V2 ( Johnson )

Now it is 16.4 mag (Jan. 15, Thomas Lehmann). It is expected to brighten up to 7 mag in 2017 summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until the highlight while the comet will be brightening. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until early 2017. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   7  2.02   64  5.6   5.024   5.616   122   16.0  21:31 (180, -9)  
Feb. 20   6 55.33   63 52.2   5.031   5.555   117   16.0  20:56 (180, -9)

* 19P/Borrelly

Now it is 15.8 mag (Dec. 7, Yuji Ohshima). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable after this while the comet will be fading. It will be getting higher gradually after this also in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  14 23.85   24 51.0   2.347   2.886   113   16.2   3:58 (195, 29)  
Feb. 20  14 22.98   25 51.9   2.324   2.933   118   16.2   4:07 (185, 29)

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

It brightened up to 11-12 mag in 2012. It has already faded down to 17.2 mag (Dec. 19, Yuji Ohshima). It is observable at 16-17 mag in good condition from winter to spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  10 56.18   -6 25.7  10.051  10.940   152   16.3   1:28 (180, 62)  
Feb. 20  10 52.89   -6 10.1  10.045  10.977   159   16.3   0:57 (180, 61)

* 65P/Gunn

Now it is 16.9 mag (Nov. 17, J. Nicolas, C. Rinner, F. Kugel, A. Klotz). It will brighten up to 14 mag in 2017. In 2016, it keeps observable at 16 mag in good condition from winter to spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  12  4.08   12  5.1   3.069   3.924   145   16.4   2:36 (180, 43)  
Feb. 20  12  1.08   12 35.6   3.002   3.909   152   16.3   2:05 (180, 43)

* C/2014 N3 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 15.3 mag (Dec. 13, D. Buczynski). It kept 15 mag for a long time from 2014 to 2015. But it will be fading slowly after this. It is observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. 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)  
Feb. 13   0 47.90   46 42.6   5.025   4.833    73   16.3  20:28 (135,-17)  
Feb. 20   0 53.20   47  8.2   5.138   4.868    68   16.4  20:19 (135,-20)

* 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4

Now it is 16.9 mag (Nov. 15, J. Bel). It will brighten up to 14 mag in summer. But it is not observable at the highlight. It keeps observable until March while the comet will be brightening gradually up to 15-16 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   1 32.50    2  4.7   2.549   2.208    58   16.4  20:28 (106, 18)  
Feb. 20   1 44.14    3 20.4   2.595   2.185    55   16.4  20:19 (106, 16)

* 104P/Kowal 2

Now it is 16.5 mag (Feb. 11, Michael Jager). The brightness differs in every apparition. It was not observed in the last apparition. In this apparition, it was expected to be observable at 14-15 mag from winter to spring. But probably it will be 16 mag at best. It locates extremely low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   0 15.52    4 20.8   1.858   1.302    41   16.6  20:28 ( 96,  1)  
Feb. 20   0 37.81    5 56.6   1.845   1.268    40   16.4  20:19 ( 98,  1)

* C/2014 Q1 ( PanSTARRS )

It approached to the sun down to 0.3 a.u. on July 6, 2015, and brighted up to 3.9 mag (July 6, Thomas Lehmann). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 12.9 mag in October (Oct. 3, Chris Wyatt). No observations have been reported since November. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable until the comet fades out. It will not be observable after this in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  19 42.53  -58 24.7   4.293   3.737    50   16.5   3:58 (324, 27)  
Feb. 20  19 54.26  -58 47.8   4.318   3.821    53   16.6   4:07 (323, 30)

* C/2015 T4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.9 mag (Dec. 13, K. Hills). It keeps 16-17 mag for a long time until 2016 autumn. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable only until March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   3 40.35  -28 14.9   2.627   2.690    82   16.6  20:28 ( 93, 60)  
Feb. 20   3 38.90  -28 25.2   2.678   2.652    77   16.6  20:19 ( 90, 56)

* C/2015 B2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.0 mag (Nov. 3, A. Maury, J.-F. Soulier, J.-G. Bosch, T. Noel). It keeps 16.5 mag for a long time in 2016, and it will be observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It is hardly observable in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   4  9.23  -57 43.9   3.458   3.459    81   16.6  20:28 ( 31, 61)  
Feb. 20   3 56.77  -55 37.9   3.498   3.445    78   16.6  20:19 ( 39, 58)

* C/2015 YG1 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 16.5 mag (Dec. 20, Michael Jager). It must have been observable at 16-17 mag in good condition from summer to autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, but it was not discovered. It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in April. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  12  4.29   33  6.6   1.704   2.559   142   16.7   2:36 (180, 22)  
Feb. 20  11 49.30   32 13.7   1.705   2.603   149   16.8   1:54 (180, 23)

* C/2015 X4 ( Elenin )

Now it is bright as 16.0 mag (Jan. 29, Sandor Szabo). It keeps observable in good condition for a while. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   5 34.31   13  3.6   2.905   3.500   119   16.8  20:28 (172, 42)  
Feb. 20   5 35.87   12 36.9   3.008   3.515   113   16.9  20:19 (166, 41)

* 204P/LINEAR-NEAT

Now it is 16.8 mag (Dec. 18, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). It is observable at 16.5 mag in excellent condition from December to February. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   8 15.28   24 44.0   1.058   2.003   156   16.8  22:43 (180, 30)  
Feb. 20   8 13.84   25 11.9   1.106   2.019   149   16.9  22:15 (180, 30)

* 329P/2015 T1 ( LINEAR-Catalina )

First return of a periodic comet discovered in 2003. Now it is 15.1 mag (Dec. 17, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in March. It is observable 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)  
Feb. 13   5  8.51   34 54.8   1.170   1.823   115   16.9  20:28 (169, 19)  
Feb. 20   5 20.22   36 10.2   1.260   1.855   110   17.2  20:19 (168, 18)

* 211P/Hill

Now it is 17.0 mag (Dec. 16, Purple Mountain Observatory). It is observable at 17 mag in good condition in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   7 51.17   26 11.3   1.441   2.353   150   17.0  22:19 (180, 29)  
Feb. 20   7 48.61   27 16.0   1.489   2.356   143   17.1  21:49 (180, 28)

* C/2015 TQ209 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Dec. 11, Purple Mountain Observatory). It will brighten up to 13 mag in summer. But it is not observable around the highlight. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable until February when it brightens up to 17 mag. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable until April when it brightens up to 16 mag. Sandor Szabo reported it is bright as 16.0 mag visually on Jan. 29. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   2 11.22   11 26.2   3.122   2.952    71   17.2  20:28 (120, 19)  
Feb. 20   2 17.52   11 46.7   3.146   2.881    65   17.1  20:19 (118, 17)

* C/2015 W1 ( Gibbs )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Dec. 17, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). It keeps observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from winter to spring in the Northern Hemispehre. It is observable only until mid February in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   6 40.06   39 52.6   1.704   2.477   132   17.1  21:08 (180, 15)  
Feb. 20   6 24.90   42 34.9   1.771   2.444   122   17.1  20:25 (180, 12)

* 180P/NEAT

Now it is 18.3 mag (Nov. 15, Hidetaka Sato). It keeps observable at 17 mag in good condition from winter to spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  14 59.91    2  8.0   2.139   2.522   101   17.2   3:58 (215, 47)  
Feb. 20  15  5.30    2 10.6   2.066   2.529   106   17.1   4:07 (204, 50)

* C/2010 S1 ( LINEAR )

It was observed as bright as 13-14 mag for a long time from 2011 to 2014. Now it is fading. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates extremely low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  18 11.14  -31 16.7   9.566   8.985    51   17.2   3:58 (288, 32)  
Feb. 20  18 12.37  -31 35.1   9.499   9.018    58   17.2   4:07 (285, 39)

* 194P/LINEAR

It has not been observed yet in this apparition. It tends to be brightest after the perihelion passage. It is observable at 17 mag in excellent condition until March 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)  
Feb. 13   5 19.35   39 26.3   1.014   1.708   117   17.3  20:28 (172, 15)  
Feb. 20   5 31.38   38 13.4   1.054   1.702   112   17.3  20:19 (171, 16)

* 61P/Shajn-Schaldach

It brightened up to 14.5 mag in autumn (Nov. 11, Sandor Szabo). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 16.7 mag (Dec. 14, L. Elenin). It will be fainter than 18 mag in March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   3  8.31   11  2.6   2.225   2.343    84   17.3  20:28 (131, 29)  
Feb. 20   3 18.50   11 58.0   2.329   2.365    79   17.5  20:19 (130, 27)

* C/2014 B1 ( Schwartz )

Now it is 16.9 mag (Dec. 19, Y. Sugiyama). It keeps 17.5 mag for a long time from 2016 to 2019. It keeps locating near by the equator. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   8  1.38    0 22.3   9.197  10.075   151   17.4  22:29 (180, 55)  
Feb. 20   8  0.03    0 40.2   9.229  10.063   145   17.4  22:01 (180, 54)

* 331P/2015 Y2 ( Ikeya-Murakami )

First return of a periodic comet which brightened up to 8 mag in major outburst in 2010. It will be observable in excellent condition from winter to spring. However, now it is faint; the fragment A is 17.8 mag (Feb. 8, Ken-ichi Kadota), the fragment B is 19.0 mag (Feb. 11, Michael Jager), the fragment C is 17.0 mag (Feb. 8, Ken-ichi Kadota), the fragment D is 21.0 mag (Feb. 11, Michael Jager), the fragment F is 21.4 mag (Feb. 11, Michael Jager). It will be 17 mag at best in this apparition. Fragments E and G-J are also observed in early February. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   8 52.58   35 26.6   0.654   1.605   155   17.4  23:20 (180, 20)  
Feb. 20   8 48.77   34 12.5   0.657   1.593   150   17.4  22:49 (180, 21)

* 88P/Howell

It brightened up to 8.8 mag in 2015 spring (Apr. 3, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 15.9 mag (Dec. 15, S. Shurpakov). It keeps observable until March when the comet becomes fainter than 18 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   2 20.91   13 57.4   3.183   3.062    74   17.4  20:28 (123, 19)  
Feb. 20   2 27.93   14 37.0   3.318   3.101    68   17.6  20:19 (122, 16)

* 100P/Hartley 1

It has not been observed in this apparition yet. It will brighten up to 16 mag from March to June. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  15 21.67   -9  7.0   1.741   2.046    93   17.6   3:58 (232, 53)  
Feb. 20  15 30.07  -10 41.3   1.655   2.037    97   17.5   4:07 (224, 59)

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

Now it is 17.2 mag (Nov. 18, Catalina Sky Survey). Now it is near the aphelion. It is observable at 17 mag in good condition from autumn to winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   3 13.84   16 24.3   4.107   4.173    86   17.5  20:28 (135, 25)  
Feb. 20   3 17.35   16 46.0   4.206   4.165    80   17.5  20:19 (133, 23)

* C/2015 Y1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 17.8 mag (Dec. 18, Hidetaka Sato). It keeps observable at 17.5 mag in good condition until April. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   8 34.00    9 44.8   1.744   2.702   162   17.5  23:02 (180, 45)  
Feb. 20   8 26.15   13 33.0   1.749   2.675   154   17.5  22:26 (180, 41)

* C/2015 X7 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.6 mag (Dec. 17, A. Hidas). It keeps 17-18 mag for a long time until 2017 spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   6 36.05  -20  0.2   3.352   3.977   122   17.6  21:04 (180, 75)  
Feb. 20   6 34.56  -18  6.9   3.377   3.954   119   17.6  20:35 (180, 73)

* C/2013 G9 ( Tenagra )

It brightened up to 16 mag in early 2015. Now it is 18.1 mag (Dec. 12, ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala). It is observable at 18 mag from winter to spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   9 38.62  -24  6.1   5.266   6.076   142   17.6   0:11 (180, 79)  
Feb. 20   9 30.13  -23 35.0   5.274   6.100   143   17.7  23:30 (180, 79)

* 162P/Siding Spring

Now it is 17.4 mag (Jan. 13, Ken-ichi Kadota). It is observable in good condition 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)  
Feb. 13  10 43.80   53 46.3   1.681   2.504   138   17.7   1:16 (180,  1)  
Feb. 20  10 30.19   53 40.7   1.735   2.552   137   17.8   0:35 (180,  1)

* C/2010 U3 ( Boattini )

It will pass the perihelion in 2019. However, it has not been brightening since the discovery in 2010. Now it is 17.6 mag (Dec. 3, D. Buczynski). It keeps observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere, although it becomes low temporarily in May. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13   3  8.61   46 52.2  10.496  10.614    94   17.7  20:28 (152,  0)  
Feb. 20   3  9.46   46 48.2  10.578  10.590    88   17.7  20:19 (150, -2)

* 269P/2012 R2 ( Jedicke )

It brightened up to 15.2 mag in early 2015 (Feb. 24, Toshiyuki Takahashi). Now it is 17.5 mag (Dec. 6, Catalina Sky Survey). It will be fainter than 18 mag in April. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  11 37.87   -6  9.8   3.937   4.782   145   17.7   2:10 (180, 61)  
Feb. 20  11 35.25   -5 58.2   3.900   4.801   152   17.8   1:39 (180, 61)

* C/2015 ER61 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.9 mag (Jan. 23, T. Vorobjov). The cometary activity is confirmed recently. It is expected to brighten up to 7 mag in 2017 spring. But it locates somewhat low at the high light. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  11 51.77   -6 11.1   4.796   5.611   142   17.9   2:23 (180, 61)  
Feb. 20  11 48.78   -5 57.0   4.667   5.546   150   17.8   1:53 (180, 61)

* C/2013 C2 ( Tenagra )

Very far object. Outburst occured on Feb. 20, 2015, and it brightened up to 15 mag. But it is faint as 18 mag now. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  13 33.40  -26 17.1   8.748   9.152   111   17.8   3:58 (190, 81)  
Feb. 20  13 33.06  -26 21.7   8.647   9.154   118   17.8   3:37 (180, 81)

* C/2014 Y1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.7 mag (Nov. 30, Hidetaka Sato). It was expected to brighten up to 14 mag from winter to summer. But it is much fainter actually. It will be observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  15 39.62  -23 13.6   2.115   2.262    85   17.9   3:58 (257, 59)  
Feb. 20  15 50.47  -24 43.7   2.053   2.275    89   17.9   4:07 (253, 65)

* C/2014 OE4 ( PanSTARRS )

It keeps 17.5 mag from 2016 to 2017. It is observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it locates low in 2016, and it is not observable in 2017. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  17 19.75   14 26.8   6.832   6.578    71   17.9   3:58 (239, 16)  
Feb. 20  17 22.47   15 30.1   6.729   6.563    76   17.9   4:07 (232, 21)

* C/2012 K8 ( Lemmon )

It keeps 17-18 mag for a long time since 2013. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable at 18 mag in good condition also in this winter. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Feb. 13  14 10.81   60 28.8   6.968   7.413   113   17.9   3:58 (185, -6)  
Feb. 20  14  3.76   61 22.7   6.967   7.435   114   17.9   4:07 (180, -6)

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