Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2016 Mar. 5: South)

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 Updated on March 5, 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 8.7 mag (Feb. 14, Thomas Lehmann). 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. Now it is not observable. In the Northern Hemisphere, 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 will be observable in excellent condition after appearing in the morning sky again in mid April. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5  23 34.83    6 23.4   2.424   1.486    14    8.1  19:58 ( 84,-19)  
Mar. 12  23 34.77    5 32.4   2.415   1.441     8    7.9  19:47 ( 81,-22)

* C/2014 S2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is so bright as 9.2 mag (Mar. 1, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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)  
Mar.  5  14 29.89   71 22.0   1.834   2.330   107    9.8   3:39 (180,-16)  
Mar. 12  13 43.53   70 59.7   1.847   2.365   109   10.0   2:26 (180,-16)

* C/2013 US10 ( Catalina )

Now it is 9.4 mag (Mar. 3, 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)  
Mar.  5   4  8.95   56 37.6   1.806   2.025    87   10.0  19:58 (159, -8)  
Mar. 12   4 11.08   54 11.9   2.022   2.117    81   10.5  19:47 (156, -7)

* 252P/LINEAR

Now it is very bright as 10.6 mag (Mar. 4, Chris Wyatt). It will pass only 0.036 a.u. from the earth on Mar. 21-22. 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. The orbital elements are similar to those of P/2016 BA14 ( PanSTARRS ). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5   5 46.18  -35 50.5   0.105   1.007    95   13.1  19:58 ( 79, 77)  
Mar. 12   5 49.92  -48  2.5   0.068   0.997    90   12.1  19:47 ( 39, 70)

* 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)  
Mar.  5  20 34.23   65  3.0   2.727   2.671    76   12.2   4:23 (208,-27)  
Mar. 12  20 34.62   65 33.4   2.735   2.670    75   12.2   4:31 (205,-24)

* 81P/Wild 2

Now it is 12.7 mag (Feb. 29, Juan Jose Gonzalez). 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)  
Mar.  5   5 15.84   21 14.2   1.722   2.062    95   12.7  19:58 (154, 29)  
Mar. 12   5 23.50   21 35.3   1.765   2.024    89   12.6  19:47 (152, 28)

* 116P/Wild 4

Now it is 13.4 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Mar.  5  15 44.63  -20 48.4   1.731   2.220   105   13.3   4:23 (207, 74)  
Mar. 12  15 50.61  -21 21.9   1.663   2.228   111   13.3   4:31 (181, 76)

* 104P/Kowal 2

Now it is bright as 13.8 mag (Feb. 27, Michael Jager). Although it was faint as 19.0 mag in January (Jan. 10, B. Lutkenhoner), it brightened rapidly. It is observable at 14 mag until spring. But it locates extremely low in the Southern Hemisphere. The brightness differs in every apparition. It was not observed in the last apparition. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5   1 25.43    9 11.6   1.822   1.215    38   14.1  19:58 (103,  2)  
Mar. 12   1 50.75   10 46.7   1.813   1.197    37   13.8  19:47 (105,  2)

* 333P/LINEAR

First return of an object discovered as an asteroid 2007 VA85 in 2007. It approached to the earth down to 0.5 a.u. in February. Now it is very bright as 11.5 mag (Mar. 1, Thomas Lehmann). It will be getting lower after this. It will be unobservable in mid March in the Southern Hemisphere, or in late April in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5   4 12.16   15 29.5   0.865   1.190    79   13.8  19:58 (136, 26)  
Mar. 12   3 54.86   21 38.9   1.040   1.160    69   14.0  19:47 (133, 17)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Appearing in the morning sky. Now it is faint as 17.1 mag (Mar. 3, Jean-Francois Soulier). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5  19 31.03  -26  9.6   6.481   5.957    54   13.9   4:23 (279, 35)  
Mar. 12  19 35.57  -25 59.8   6.385   5.955    60   13.8   4:31 (276, 41)

* 9P/Tempel 1

Now it is 16.2 mag (Feb. 19, P. C. Sherrod, L. P. Sherrod). Brightening very rapidly, although it is somewhat fainter than this ephemeris. It will be observable at 11 mag in good condition from spring to summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5  12 24.05   18 15.9   1.130   2.079   156   14.2   1:33 (180, 37)  
Mar. 12  12 19.15   19 11.8   1.078   2.040   159   13.9   1:01 (180, 36)

* 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 locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5  18 29.31   22  4.7   5.196   4.991    72   13.9   4:23 (226, 17)  
Mar. 12  18 30.89   22 36.2   5.184   5.056    77   14.0   4:31 (220, 21)

* 10P/Tempel 2

Now it is 11.8 mag (Jan. 8, Giuseppe Pappa). It is not observable now. It will appear in the morning sky in summer, but it will be fainter than 17 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5   0 42.86   -4 11.7   2.665   1.813    24   14.0  19:58 ( 86,  1)  
Mar. 12   0 59.69   -2 25.6   2.732   1.854    22   14.2  19:47 ( 87,  0)

* 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)  
Mar.  5  23 27.61   -6 13.5   3.002   2.018     6   14.1  19:58 ( 73,-13)  
Mar. 12  23 42.70   -4 42.6   3.049   2.058     3   14.3  19:47 ( 74,-15)

* C/2011 KP36 ( Spacewatch )

Now it is 15.1 mag (Jan. 2, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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)  
Mar.  5  22 58.02   -3 46.2   5.911   4.920     2   14.8   4:23 (289,-19)  
Mar. 12  23  5.24   -3 16.1   5.902   4.914     5   14.8   4:31 (284,-13)

* 77P/Longmore

Now it is 15.2 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Mar.  5  13 41.15   -6 49.3   1.545   2.381   138   15.0   2:50 (180, 62)  
Mar. 12  13 37.30   -7 50.7   1.481   2.372   146   14.9   2:19 (180, 63)

* 53P/Van Biesbroeck

Now it is 16.2 mag (Feb. 17, La Silla--TRAPPIST). 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)  
Mar.  5  19  4.86  -17 23.5   2.828   2.472    59   15.2   4:23 (266, 36)  
Mar. 12  19 17.84  -16 58.9   2.747   2.462    63   15.1   4:31 (262, 41)

* 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

It brightened up to 11.1 mag in 2015 autumn (Sept. 21, Seiichi Yoshida). Now it is 14.5 mag (Feb. 15, Thomas Lehmann). 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)  
Mar.  5  11 52.43   11 46.4   1.531   2.507   166   15.2   1:02 (180, 43)  
Mar. 12  11 44.51   12 22.7   1.573   2.558   170   15.4   0:26 (180, 43)

* P/2016 BA14 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 18.6 mag (Feb. 13, M. M. Knight, M. S. P. Kelley, S. Protopapa, M. Micheli). It will pass only 0.024 a.u. from the earth on Mar. 23. It is expected to brighten very rapidly and reach up to 12 mag in March. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in excellent condition until mid March, but it will be low after that. The orbital elements are similar to those of 252P/LINEAR. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5   5 54.03  -33 44.3   0.142   1.019    97   16.3  19:58 ( 93, 78)  
Mar. 12   6 13.49  -29 42.2   0.089   1.010    97   15.3  19:47 (113, 77)

* P/2003 T12 ( SOHO )

It will approach to the sun down to 0.58 a.u. on Mar. 9, and brighten up to 15 mag. But it is not observable around the perihelion passage. It will appear in the evening sky at 17 mag in late March. But it will fade out very rapidly. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5  23 54.41   -2 35.6   1.504   0.584    13   15.5  19:58 ( 80,-10)  
Mar. 12   0 39.30    0 41.3   1.437   0.579    17   15.4  19:47 ( 87, -6)

* 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 14.3 mag still now (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Mar.  5  14 16.02  -29 37.4   3.317   3.929   121   15.6   3:25 (180, 85)  
Mar. 12  14 15.13  -29 55.4   3.261   3.954   128   15.6   2:56 (180, 85)

* 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4

Now it is 16.2 mag (Feb. 7, Hiroshi Abe). 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)  
Mar.  5   2  9.06    5 54.1   2.678   2.142    47   16.3  19:58 (106, 12)  
Mar. 12   2 22.30    7 10.7   2.715   2.123    44   15.8  19:47 (107, 11)

* C/2015 V2 ( Johnson )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Feb. 11, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Mar.  5   6 45.86   63  9.1   5.064   5.434   106   15.9  19:58 (179, -8)  
Mar. 12   6 43.25   62 41.7   5.088   5.372   101   15.8  19:47 (177, -8)

* C/2013 V4 ( Catalina )

Now it is 15.6 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Mar.  5   2 56.60   72 13.6   5.272   5.307    86   15.9  19:58 (163,-25)  
Mar. 12   3  4.34   72 11.6   5.350   5.318    82   15.9  19:47 (163,-25)

* 321P/SOHO

It will graze the surface of the sun on Apr. 10. It will pass only 0.16 a.u. from the earth on Mar. 13, and will be observable in excellent condition. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5  15 55.37   -1 22.0   0.273   1.102   106   17.6   4:23 (197, 55)  
Mar. 12  18 42.17    8 55.9   0.164   0.957    72   15.9   4:31 (230, 31)

* 65P/Gunn

Now it is 16.3 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Mar.  5  11 53.22   13 38.5   2.908   3.877   165   16.2   1:02 (180, 41)  
Mar. 12  11 48.65   14  8.1   2.883   3.861   168   16.1   0:30 (180, 41)

* C/2015 Y1 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 15.5 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). It brightened rapidly, and became brighter than originally expected. It keeps observable at 16 mag in good condition until May. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5   8 12.94   20 46.4   1.821   2.628   136   16.3  21:18 (180, 34)  
Mar. 12   8  8.19   24  0.5   1.882   2.607   127   16.3  20:46 (180, 31)

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

It brightened up to 11-12 mag in 2012. It has already faded down to 17.1 mag (Feb. 8, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Mar.  5  10 46.20   -5 34.4  10.082  11.052   167   16.3  23:51 (180, 61)  
Mar. 12  10 42.90   -5 15.0  10.125  11.090   165   16.4  23:20 (180, 60)

* C/2014 B1 ( Schwartz )

Now it is 16.1 mag (Feb. 3, Yasukazu Ikari). It keeps 16-17 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)  
Mar.  5   7 57.99    1 18.4   9.330  10.039   133   16.4  21:04 (180, 54)  
Mar. 12   7 57.36    1 38.1   9.397  10.028   127   16.4  20:35 (180, 53)

* 19P/Borrelly

Now it is 17.2 mag (Feb. 18, D. Buczynski). In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition after this while the comet will be fading. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5  14 17.04   27 53.0   2.299   3.025   129   16.4   3:26 (180, 27)  
Mar. 12  14 12.09   28 47.7   2.299   3.071   133   16.5   2:53 (180, 26)

* C/2015 T4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.3 mag (Feb. 2, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Mar.  5   3 39.95  -28 40.8   2.766   2.579    68   16.5  19:58 ( 85, 49)  
Mar. 12   3 42.29  -28 49.2   2.799   2.545    65   16.5  19:47 ( 83, 46)

* C/2015 B2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.7 mag (Feb. 5, La Silla--TRAPPIST). 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)  
Mar.  5   3 40.53  -51 25.3   3.586   3.420    72   16.6  19:58 ( 49, 52)  
Mar. 12   3 35.72  -49 24.8   3.631   3.410    69   16.6  19:47 ( 53, 49)

* 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 (Feb. 7, Hiroshi Abe). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5   6 14.87   27 43.6   1.275   1.849   108   16.9  19:58 (171, 27)  
Mar. 12   6 27.77   28 24.3   1.377   1.889   104   17.2  19:47 (170, 26)

* 100P/Hartley 1

Now it is 17.6 mag (Feb. 6, M. Jaeger, E. Prosperi, S. Prosperi, W. Vollmann). 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)  
Mar.  5  15 44.08  -14  0.3   1.488   2.022   107   17.1   4:23 (199, 68)  
Mar. 12  15 49.36  -15 46.8   1.410   2.017   112   16.9   4:30 (180, 71)

* 180P/NEAT

Now it is 16.6 mag (Feb. 19, D. Buczynski). 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)  
Mar.  5  15 12.65    2 28.6   1.929   2.547   117   17.0   4:21 (180, 53)  
Mar. 12  15 14.43    2 42.5   1.867   2.557   123   17.0   3:55 (180, 52)

* C/2015 YG1 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Feb. 7, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Mar.  5  11 18.82   29 43.4   1.757   2.694   156   17.0   0:29 (180, 25)  
Mar. 12  11  4.75   28  8.5   1.810   2.740   154   17.2  23:41 (180, 27)

* C/2015 X4 ( Elenin )

Now it is 16.9 mag (Feb. 5, Hiroshi Abe). It keeps observable in good condition for a while. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5   5 41.56   11 53.6   3.228   3.547   100   17.0  19:58 (157, 40)  
Mar. 12   5 45.59   11 35.6   3.343   3.564    94   17.1  19:47 (153, 39)

* C/2015 X7 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Mar.  5   6 34.18  -14 12.1   3.455   3.911   110   17.1  19:58 (168, 69)  
Mar. 12   6 35.31  -12 14.3   3.507   3.891   105   17.1  19:47 (160, 66)

* 204P/LINEAR-NEAT

It brightened up to 16.0 mag in January (Jan. 18, Catalina Sky Survey). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in Apri. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5   8 15.47   25 38.8   1.228   2.056   135   17.2  21:21 (180, 29)  
Mar. 12   8 18.59   25 38.7   1.301   2.076   129   17.4  20:57 (180, 29)

* C/2015 W1 ( Gibbs )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Feb. 11, Yuji Ohshima). It keeps observable at 17-18 mag until summer in the Northern Hemispehre. It is not observable after March in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5   6  0.98   46 49.2   1.938   2.384   104   17.2  19:58 (171,  7)  
Mar. 12   5 52.72   48 30.2   2.030   2.358    96   17.3  19:47 (168,  5)

* 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)  
Mar.  5  18 13.81  -32 13.9   9.344   9.085    71   17.2   4:23 (279, 53)  
Mar. 12  18 13.95  -32 34.5   9.260   9.119    78   17.2   4:31 (276, 60)

* C/2014 R3 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.1 mag (Jan. 17, K. Sarneczky, P. Szekely, T. Szalai). It brightened rapidly, and became brighter than originally expected. It keeps 17 mag until 2017. It is observable in excellent 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)  
Mar.  5  17 14.98   68 49.8   7.196   7.343    94   17.3   4:23 (191,-16)  
Mar. 12  17  9.98   69 55.5   7.187   7.337    94   17.2   4:31 (187,-16)

* 211P/Hill

It brightened up to 15.7 mag in winter (Jan. 14, Toshiyuki Takahashi). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 17.2 mag (Feb. 15, H. Boussier). It will be fainter than 18 mag in April. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5   7 47.94   28 54.2   1.614   2.363   128   17.3  20:54 (180, 26)  
Mar. 12   7 49.93   29 28.2   1.687   2.369   121   17.4  20:28 (180, 26)

* 332P/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. 24, Michael Jager), the fragment C is 17.8 mag (Feb. 24, Michael Jager), the fragment H is 18.5 mag (Feb. 24, Michael Jager). It will be 17 mag at best in this apparition. Fragments B to I are also observed in early February. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5   8 46.85   30 50.4   0.685   1.577   139   17.3  21:53 (180, 24)  
Mar. 12   8 49.20   28 50.4   0.710   1.574   134   17.4  21:28 (180, 26)

* C/2014 Y1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). 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)  
Mar.  5  16  9.78  -27 37.5   1.935   2.307    98   17.4   4:23 (241, 76)  
Mar. 12  16 17.97  -29  1.4   1.880   2.327   103   17.4   4:31 (227, 82)

* 194P/LINEAR

Now it is 18.7 mag (Jan. 14, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). 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)  
Mar.  5   5 59.86   35 42.2   1.145   1.698   104   17.4  19:58 (169, 18)  
Mar. 12   6 15.71   34 22.8   1.196   1.700   101   17.5  19:47 (169, 20)

* P/2013 YG46 ( Spacewatch )

It was discovered around the aphelion in 2013 December. It keeps observable at 17 mag in good condition from 2016 to 2017. No observations have been reported since 2014 March. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5  12 56.59    2 44.8   2.121   3.030   151   17.6   2:06 (180, 52)  
Mar. 12  12 52.28    3 14.1   2.048   2.998   159   17.4   1:34 (180, 52)

* C/2015 ER61 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.5 mag (Feb. 16, H. Nohara). 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)  
Mar.  5  11 41.50   -5 17.1   4.451   5.415   165   17.6   0:51 (180, 60)  
Mar. 12  11 37.38   -4 51.9   4.365   5.350   171   17.5   0:19 (180, 60)

* C/2013 G9 ( Tenagra )

It brightened up to 16 mag in early 2015. Now it is 17.7 mag (Feb. 9, La Silla--TRAPPIST). It is observable at 18 mag from winter to spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5   9 14.04  -22 13.2   5.346   6.149   141   17.7  22:19 (180, 77)  
Mar. 12   9  6.75  -21 24.9   5.408   6.174   137   17.8  21:44 (180, 76)

* 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 18.5 mag now (Feb. 5, La Silla--TRAPPIST). . 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)  
Mar.  5  13 31.36  -26 23.0   8.469   9.158   131   17.8   2:40 (180, 81)  
Mar. 12  13 30.07  -26 19.6   8.393   9.160   138   17.7   2:11 (180, 81)

* C/2014 OE4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Feb. 11, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). 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)  
Mar.  5  17 26.72   17 48.0   6.522   6.534    86   17.8   4:23 (216, 29)  
Mar. 12  17 28.18   19  2.0   6.421   6.520    91   17.8   4:31 (207, 31)

* 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)  
Mar.  5  11 29.09   -5 23.7   3.868   4.839   166   17.8   0:38 (180, 61)  
Mar. 12  11 25.80   -5  2.1   3.873   4.858   171   17.9   0:07 (180, 60)

* (347449) 2012 TW236

First return of a peculiar asteroid 1998 HO121. It brightened up to 16.5 mag in early 2015 (Jan. 4, M. Jaeger, E. Prosperi, S. Prosperi, W. Vollmann). It is observable at 17.5 mag again in 2016 spring. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar.  5  14  1.69   -7  7.7   2.753   3.511   133   17.9   3:10 (180, 62)  
Mar. 12  14  0.58   -6 34.6   2.709   3.537   140   17.9   2:42 (180, 62)

* 329P/2015 T1 ( LINEAR-Catalina )

First return of a periodic comet discovered in 2003. It brightened up to 15.1 mag in December (Dec. 17, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 17.7 mag (Feb. 18, D. Buczynski). It 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)  
Mar.  5   5 47.00   37 56.7   1.452   1.925   102   17.9  19:58 (167, 16)  
Mar. 12   6  1.66   38 29.9   1.554   1.963    98   18.2  19:47 (167, 15)

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