Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2016 Mar. 19: South)

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Updated on March 24, 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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* 252P/LINEAR

Now it is extremely bright as 4.5 mag (Mar. 21, Marco Goiato). It will pass only 0.036 a.u. from the earth on Mar. 21-22. 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. 19   7  6.21  -82 35.8   0.039   0.997    91    5.1  20:49 (  0, 39)  
Mar. 26  17 28.79  -35 47.0   0.045   1.008   101    4.9   4:43 (289, 83)  

* 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. 19  23 34.73    4 42.8   2.384   1.402     7    7.7   4:37 (276,-17)  
Mar. 26  23 34.61    3 52.7   2.332   1.370    11    7.5   4:43 (272,-10)  

* C/2014 S2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is so bright as 9.2 mag (Mar. 11, Carlos Labordena). 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. 19  12 59.24   69 36.7   1.872   2.403   110    9.3   1:15 (180,-15)  
Mar. 26  12 21.94   67 19.1   1.908   2.443   110    9.4   0:10 (180,-12)  

* C/2013 US10 ( Catalina )

Now it is 9.9 mag (Mar. 11, Carlos Labordena). It was expected to brighten up to 4-5 mag from autumn to winter. But actually, it was 6 mag at best. Now it is fading rapidly. 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. 19   4 14.71   52 20.1   2.236   2.208    75   10.2  19:37 (153, -7)  
Mar. 26   4 19.27   50 53.6   2.446   2.298    69   10.6  19:26 (150, -7)  

* 333P/LINEAR

First return of an object discovered as an asteroid 2007 VA85 in 2007. It brightened very rapidly since mid February, and now it is so bright as 11.5 mag (Mar. 10, Marco Goiato). 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. 19   3 42.73   26  0.5   1.215   1.137    60   11.4  19:37 (131,  9)  
Mar. 26   3 33.77   29 17.4   1.384   1.122    53   11.2  19:26 (129,  3)  

* C/2014 W2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 13.1 mag (Mar. 10, Thomas Lehmann). It keeps 12-13 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. 19  20 33.03   66 15.4   2.738   2.672    75   12.2   4:37 (202,-22)  
Mar. 26  20 29.03   67  7.4   2.736   2.675    75   12.2   4:43 (199,-20)  

* 81P/Wild 2

Now it is 12.6 mag (Mar. 9, Thomas Lehmann). 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. 19   5 32.62   21 55.5   1.806   1.986    85   12.5  19:37 (151, 27)  
Mar. 26   5 43.07   22 13.6   1.847   1.949    80   12.4  19:26 (149, 26)  

* 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. 19  15 55.24  -21 51.6   1.599   2.238   117   13.3   4:08 (180, 77)  
Mar. 26  15 58.43  -22 17.5   1.540   2.249   123   13.2   3:44 (180, 77)  

* 9P/Tempel 1

Now it is 15.0 mag (Mar. 7, Katsumi Yoshimoto). 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. 19  12 13.11   20  0.6   1.036   2.001   160   13.6   0:27 (180, 35)  
Mar. 26  12  6.34   20 37.4   1.006   1.963   156   13.3  23:48 (180, 34)  

* 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. 19   2 17.01   12 17.0   1.807   1.185    37   13.6  19:37 (108,  3)  
Mar. 26   2 44.11   13 40.1   1.806   1.180    37   13.5  19:26 (110,  4)  

* P/2016 BA14 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 12.8 mag (Mar. 22, Paul Camilleri). Almost completely stellar with no coma. 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 12-13 mag. 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. 19   7 21.58  -12 36.3   0.038   1.010   111   14.3  19:42 (180, 65)  
Mar. 26  13 24.31   49 59.8   0.036   1.019   126   13.8   0:52 (180,  5)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Appearing in the morning sky. It brightened in outburst on Mar. 14 up to 14.8 mag (Jean-Francois Soulier).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 19  19 39.73  -25 50.7   6.283   5.953    66   13.8   4:37 (271, 47)  
Mar. 26  19 43.49  -25 42.3   6.177   5.951    72   13.8   4:43 (267, 53)  

* 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. 19  18 31.82   23  9.2   5.169   5.121    81   14.1   4:37 (212, 24)  
Mar. 26  18 32.06   23 43.2   5.152   5.186    86   14.1   4:43 (204, 27)  

* 10P/Tempel 2

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. 19   1 16.07   -0 43.5   2.798   1.896    20   14.4  19:37 ( 88, -1)  
Mar. 26   1 32.03    0 54.1   2.863   1.938    17   14.7  19:26 ( 89, -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)  
Mar. 19  23 57.35   -3 13.6   3.092   2.099     2   14.5  19:37 ( 74,-16)  
Mar. 26   0 11.57   -1 46.9   3.133   2.140     4   14.7   4:43 (282,-14)  

* 77P/Longmore

Now it is 14.9 mag (Mar. 7, Katsumi Yoshimoto). 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. 19  13 31.96   -8 51.1   1.429   2.364   154   14.7   1:46 (180, 64)  
Mar. 26  13 25.31   -9 50.3   1.388   2.358   162   14.7   1:12 (180, 65)  

* 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. 19  23 12.42   -2 45.5   5.883   4.909    10   14.8   4:37 (279, -8)  
Mar. 26  23 19.55   -2 15.0   5.856   4.904    15   14.7   4:43 (275, -3)  

* 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. 19  19 30.45  -16 31.2   2.666   2.454    66   15.0   4:37 (258, 45)  
Mar. 26  19 42.64  -16  0.8   2.584   2.446    70   14.9   4:43 (253, 49)  

* 43P/Wolf-Harrington

It will brighten up to 11 mag from summer to autumn. It will appear in the morning sky in summer, but it keeps low for some time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 19  23 28.69    8  4.0   3.074   2.104    10   15.4   4:37 (272,-18)  
Mar. 26  23 43.42    9 27.6   3.022   2.055    11   15.2   4:43 (269,-15)  

* 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. 19   2 36.03    8 26.4   2.749   2.104    41   15.6  19:37 (107,  9)  
Mar. 26   2 50.23    9 40.3   2.780   2.086    37   15.4  19:26 (108,  8)  

* 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. 19  14 13.43  -30  7.4   3.212   3.979   134   15.6   2:27 (180, 85)  
Mar. 26  14 10.99  -30 13.0   3.174   4.004   141   15.7   1:57 (180, 85)  

* 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

It brightened up to 11.1 mag in 2015 autumn (Sept. 21, Seiichi Yoshida). Now it is 14.6 mag (Mar. 9, 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. 19  11 36.92   12 51.4   1.630   2.609   166   15.7  23:46 (180, 42)  
Mar. 26  11 30.02   13 11.3   1.700   2.660   160   15.9  23:12 (180, 42)  

* 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. 19   6 42.08   62 12.1   5.114   5.311    95   15.8  19:37 (175, -8)  
Mar. 26   6 42.30   61 41.1   5.142   5.249    90   15.8  19:26 (173, -7)  

* P/2003 T12 ( SOHO )

STEREO spacecraft observed it at 8-9 mag on Feb. 21-22. It approached to the sun down to 0.58 a.u. on Mar. 9, but it was 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. 19   1 25.38    4  4.2   1.381   0.607    23   15.8  19:37 ( 94, -2)  
Mar. 26   2 11.89    7 21.7   1.342   0.662    28   16.7  19:26 (101,  2)  

* 321P/SOHO

It will graze the surface of the sun on Apr. 10. It passed only 0.16 a.u. from the earth on Mar. 13, and it was observable in excellent condition. However, it was not visible, fainter than 19 mag (Mar. 17, Jean-Francois Soulier).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 19  22 31.86   14 36.8   0.225   0.798    25   15.8   4:37 (258, -9)  
Mar. 26  23 58.62   12 42.7   0.393   0.618    11   15.9   4:43 (268,-19)  

* 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. 19   3 13.50   72 13.7   5.427   5.330    79   15.9  19:37 (163,-26)  
Mar. 26   3 23.98   72 19.5   5.501   5.342    75   16.0  19:26 (162,-26)  

* 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. 19  11 43.91   14 34.5   2.872   3.845   165   16.1  23:53 (180, 40)  
Mar. 26  11 39.19   14 56.4   2.876   3.829   160   16.1  23:21 (180, 40)  

* 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. 19   8  4.96   26 55.7   1.956   2.588   118   16.3  20:16 (180, 28)  
Mar. 26   8  3.33   29 31.7   2.039   2.572   111   16.3  19:47 (180, 25)  

* 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. 19   7 57.02    1 57.6   9.473  10.016   120   16.4  20:08 (180, 53)  
Mar. 26   7 56.99    2 16.7   9.557  10.005   114   16.4  19:40 (180, 53)  

* 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. 19   3 45.73  -29  0.1   2.825   2.513    61   16.5  19:37 ( 81, 44)  
Mar. 26   3 50.20  -29 14.6   2.842   2.483    59   16.4  19:26 ( 80, 41)  

* 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. 19  14  6.03   29 34.6   2.309   3.116   137   16.6   2:20 (180, 26)  
Mar. 26  13 59.11   30 11.2   2.331   3.160   139   16.7   1:45 (180, 25)  

* 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. 19   3 32.54  -47 31.1   3.674   3.400    66   16.6  19:37 ( 55, 45)  
Mar. 26   3 30.67  -45 45.3   3.714   3.392    63   16.7  19:26 ( 57, 42)  

* 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. 19  15 53.24  -17 39.4   1.337   2.014   118   16.8   4:06 (180, 73)  
Mar. 26  15 55.53  -19 38.7   1.269   2.011   124   16.7   3:41 (180, 75)  

* 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. 19  15 14.87    2 58.1   1.812   2.567   129   17.0   3:28 (180, 52)  
Mar. 26  15 13.97    3 14.0   1.764   2.578   136   17.0   3:00 (180, 52)  

* 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 17 mag in good condition from winter to spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 19  10 39.71   -4 55.0  10.184  11.127   160   17.0  22:50 (180, 60)  
Mar. 26  10 36.67   -4 34.8  10.260  11.165   154   17.1  22:19 (180, 60)  

* 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. 19  12 47.10    3 45.3   1.988   2.965   166   17.2   1:01 (180, 51)  
Mar. 26  12 41.27    4 16.7   1.942   2.932   171   17.1   0:28 (180, 51)  

* 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. 19   6 37.29  -10 18.6   3.567   3.871   100   17.1  19:37 (153, 63)  
Mar. 26   6 40.08   -8 26.3   3.632   3.853    95   17.2  19:26 (148, 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. 19  17  2.99   71  0.1   7.182   7.331    94   17.2   4:37 (183,-16)  
Mar. 26  16 53.74   72  2.0   7.181   7.326    94   17.2   4:39 (180,-17)  

* 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. 19  18 13.66  -32 55.7   9.172   9.152    85   17.2   4:37 (273, 67)  
Mar. 26  18 12.93  -33 17.5   9.084   9.186    92   17.2   4:43 (269, 74)  

* 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. 19   5 50.30   11 19.1   3.458   3.582    88   17.2  19:37 (150, 39)  
Mar. 26   5 55.64   11  3.6   3.574   3.601    83   17.3  19:26 (146, 37)  

* 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. 19  11 33.08   -4 24.1   4.295   5.284   172   17.4  23:43 (180, 59)  
Mar. 26  11 28.75   -3 54.4   4.241   5.218   167   17.3  23:11 (180, 59)  

* 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. 19   5 46.98   49 60.0   2.125   2.333    89   17.3  19:37 (164,  2)  
Mar. 26   5 43.62   51 22.2   2.218   2.311    82   17.4  19:26 (162,  0)  

* 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. 19  10 52.21   26 24.4   1.880   2.788   150   17.3  23:01 (180, 29)  
Mar. 26  10 41.51   24 35.1   1.967   2.836   144   17.5  22:23 (180, 31)  

* 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. 19  16 24.98  -30 23.4   1.830   2.350   108   17.4   4:37 (182, 85)  
Mar. 26  16 30.71  -31 43.3   1.783   2.375   114   17.4   4:16 (180, 87)  

* 230P/LINEAR

It kept brightening even after the perihelion passage, and brightened up to 13.0 mag (Dec. 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading rapidly. 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. 19   6 41.12   28 52.9   1.483   1.930   100   17.4  19:37 (169, 25)  
Mar. 26   6 54.79   29 10.6   1.593   1.972    96   17.7  19:26 (169, 25)  

* C/2016 E2 ( Kowalski )

Now it is 17.0 mag (Mar. 17, Michael Jager). It is approaching to the earth down to 0.3 a.u., and moving very fast. It will be getting farther after this, and fade out rapidly. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It will be extremely low after this in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 19  13 13.39   18 42.4   0.298   1.270   153   17.4   1:33 (180, 38)  
Mar. 26  11  8.08   40 16.4   0.427   1.332   134   18.4  22:43 (180, 14)  

* 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. 19   8 53.76   26 42.7   0.741   1.573   129   17.5  21:05 (180, 29)  
Mar. 26   9  0.28   24 30.5   0.778   1.575   124   17.6  20:44 (180, 31)  

* 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. 19   7 53.44   29 52.9   1.767   2.375   115   17.5  20:05 (180, 25)  
Mar. 26   7 58.34   30  9.0   1.851   2.381   109   17.6  19:42 (180, 25)  

* 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. 19   8 23.15   25 30.4   1.380   2.098   123   17.6  20:34 (180, 30)  
Mar. 26   8 28.98   25 14.7   1.465   2.121   117   17.8  20:13 (180, 30)  

* 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. 19   6 32.28   33  0.4   1.251   1.706    98   17.6  19:37 (168, 21)  
Mar. 26   6 49.31   31 34.6   1.310   1.714    95   17.7  19:26 (168, 22)  

* 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. 19  17 29.13   20 18.8   6.323   6.507    96   17.7   4:37 (198, 33)  
Mar. 26  17 29.57   21 37.6   6.230   6.494   100   17.7   4:43 (189, 33)  

* (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. 19  13 58.68   -5 57.8   2.676   3.563   148   17.8   2:12 (180, 61)  
Mar. 26  13 56.12   -5 18.4   2.655   3.589   155   17.7   1:42 (180, 60)  

* 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. 19  13 28.53  -26 13.5   8.329   9.162   144   17.7   1:42 (180, 81)  
Mar. 26  13 26.79  -26  4.7   8.277   9.164   151   17.7   1:13 (180, 81)  

* 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. 19   9  0.10  -20 33.6   5.485   6.200   132   17.8  21:10 (180, 76)  
Mar. 26   8 54.17  -19 40.7   5.577   6.225   126   17.9  20:37 (180, 75)  

* 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. 19  11 22.55   -4 38.7   3.893   4.877   170   17.9  23:32 (180, 60)  
Mar. 26  11 19.46   -4 14.4   3.928   4.897   164   18.0  23:02 (180, 59)  

* C/2016 C2 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 17.9 mag (Mar. 3, Hidetaka Sato). It will be observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from April to May in the Southern Hemisphere. It is observable only until March in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Mar. 19  16 26.76  -34 14.4   1.008   1.618   107   18.1   4:37 (210, 89)  
Mar. 26  16 41.95  -40 14.2   0.950   1.595   110   17.9   4:27 (  0, 85)  

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