Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2016 Apr. 9: North)

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Updated on April 10, 2016
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Best time and the azimuth, altitude (A,h) are at lat. 35 deg in the Northern Hemisphere.
Azimuth indicates 0 for south, 90 for west, 180 for north, 270 for east.

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* 252P/LINEAR

It passed only 0.036 a.u. from the earth on Mar. 21-22, and brightened up to 3.9 mag (Mar. 21, Thomas Lehmann). It keeps brightening even after the perihelion passage. It is very bright as 5.9 mag still now (Apr. 9, Marco Goiato). It keeps observable in good condition after this both in the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. It may fade out very rapidly. 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)  
Apr.  9  17 33.26   -0 15.9   0.116   1.055   114    5.8   4:08 (353, 54)  
Apr. 16  17 30.09    4 25.7   0.156   1.090   120    6.9   3:53 (  0, 59)  

* 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 appearing in the morning sky. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in excellent condition after this. In the Northern Hemisphere, it locates low in the south.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9  23 33.71    2  3.3   2.165   1.326    24    7.2   4:08 (266, -2)  
Apr. 16  23 32.67    0 59.1   2.051   1.316    32    7.1   3:57 (269,  1)  

* C/2014 S2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is so bright as 9.5 mag (Apr. 6, Neil Norman). It will be fading slowly after this. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not observable now in the Southern Hemisphere, but it will be observable after May.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9  11 32.49   60 55.8   2.020   2.527   108    9.7  22:19 (180, 64)  
Apr. 16  11 18.10   57 17.3   2.095   2.571   106    9.8  21:37 (180, 68)  

* 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)  
Apr.  9   0 53.57    8  8.2   0.923   0.108     4   10.2   4:08 (249,-14)  
Apr. 16   2 45.18   11 16.4   1.053   0.303    16   14.9  20:02 (107, -3)  

* C/2013 US10 ( Catalina )

Now it is 10.0 mag (Apr. 6, Neil Norman). 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 not observable after this in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be extremely low from May to June also in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9   4 30.06   48 53.7   2.847   2.477    58   11.2  19:55 (128, 39)  
Apr. 16   4 35.97   48 12.9   3.035   2.565    53   11.5  20:02 (129, 34)  

* 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 12.6 mag (Mar. 28, Thomas Lehmann). It is alreay unobservable in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be unobservable in late April also in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9   3 21.31   34  4.5   1.682   1.117    39   11.5  19:55 (118, 21)  
Apr. 16   3 16.69   35 57.9   1.805   1.128    34   12.0  20:02 (124, 15)  

* 81P/Wild 2

Now it is 11.7 mag (Apr. 9, Seiichi Yoshida). It will brighten up to 11 mag from spring to summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be getting lower after this, and will be unobservable in June. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere, but it keeps observable until August.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9   6  7.60   22 40.2   1.919   1.877    72   12.2  19:55 ( 85, 49)  
Apr. 16   6 21.51   22 46.7   1.953   1.844    68   12.2  20:02 ( 88, 45)  

* C/2014 W2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 12.2 mag (Apr. 8, Seiichi Yoshida). 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 until July in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9  20 11.45   69 11.4   2.718   2.688    77   12.2   4:08 (202, 48)  
Apr. 16  19 56.30   70 16.0   2.705   2.698    78   12.2   3:57 (198, 50)  

* 9P/Tempel 1

Now it is 14.0 mag (Mar. 30, Sandor Szabo). Brightening very rapidly. 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)  
Apr.  9  11 52.78   20 59.5   0.977   1.889   145   12.9  22:40 (  0, 76)  
Apr. 16  11 47.17   20 40.2   0.975   1.854   139   12.6  22:07 (  0, 76)  

* 116P/Wild 4

Now it is 13.8 mag (Apr. 8, Seiichi Yoshida). It keeps 13 mag for a while. 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)  
Apr.  9  16  0.12  -22 57.5   1.439   2.274   136   13.2   2:51 (  0, 32)  
Apr. 16  15 58.61  -23 11.3   1.399   2.288   143   13.2   2:22 (  0, 32)  

* 104P/Kowal 2

Now it is bright as 12.7 mag (Mar. 30, Sandor Szabo). Although it was faint as 19.0 mag in January (Jan. 10, B. Lutkenhoner), it brightened rapidly in February. It keeps observable until May in the Northern Hemisphere, or until July in the Southern Hemisphere. But it keeps extremely low. 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)  
Apr.  9   3 40.28   15 54.8   1.819   1.189    37   13.6  19:55 ( 98, 16)  
Apr. 16   4  8.98   16 42.4   1.834   1.203    37   13.7  20:02 (100, 15)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. Now it is 16.5 mag (Mar. 30, Jean-Francois Soulier).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9  19 49.65  -25 28.5   5.955   5.947    84   13.7   4:08 (324, 20)  
Apr. 16  19 51.99  -25 23.3   5.842   5.945    91   13.6   3:57 (327, 21)  

* 77P/Longmore

Now it is 14.6 mag (Apr. 8, Seiichi Yoshida). 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)  
Apr.  9  13  9.34  -11 42.4   1.346   2.346   175   14.6   0:01 (  0, 43)  
Apr. 16  13  0.92  -12 34.4   1.346   2.342   170   14.5  23:20 (  0, 42)  

* 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)  
Apr.  9   0 14.40   12 21.4   2.910   1.959    14   14.8   4:08 (252, -4)  
Apr. 16   0 30.74   13 50.4   2.851   1.911    16   14.6   3:57 (251, -3)  

* 53P/Van Biesbroeck

Now it is 15.4 mag (Mar. 15, Yuji Ohshima). 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)  
Apr.  9  20  5.56  -14 54.4   2.419   2.436    79   14.8   4:08 (314, 26)  
Apr. 16  20 16.15  -14 19.9   2.337   2.432    83   14.7   3:57 (315, 28)  

* 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)  
Apr.  9  23 33.56   -1 14.6   5.777   4.896    25   14.7   4:08 (269, -4)  
Apr. 16  23 40.40   -0 45.4   5.725   4.892    31   14.7   3:57 (270, -2)  

* 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4

Now it is 16.0 mag (Mar. 2, Hiroshi Abe). It will brighten up to 14 mag in summer. But it is not observable at the highlight. It will be unobservable soon.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9   3 19.98   12  0.8   2.835   2.054    31   15.0  19:55 ( 98, 10)  
Apr. 16   3 35.49   13  5.9   2.858   2.040    29   14.9  20:02 (102,  7)  

* 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)  
Apr.  9   2  2.83    3 54.5   2.986   2.024    13   15.1  19:55 (103,-10)  
Apr. 16   2 17.73    5 16.8   3.043   2.068    11   15.3  20:02 (107,-14)  

* 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)  
Apr.  9   0 38.83    0 58.1   3.200   2.223    10   15.1   4:08 (257,-16)  
Apr. 16   0 51.90    2 15.8   3.227   2.265    13   15.3   3:57 (257,-14)  

* C/2015 V2 ( Johnson )

Now it is 15.7 mag (Mar. 30, Sandor Szabo). 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)  
Apr.  9   6 46.56   60 37.6   5.197   5.125    80   15.7  19:55 (150, 56)  
Apr. 16   6 50.44   60  6.0   5.222   5.063    75   15.6  20:02 (146, 53)  

* 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 14.2 mag still now (Mar. 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)  
Apr.  9  14  4.41  -30  4.7   3.130   4.056   154   15.8   0:56 (  0, 25)  
Apr. 16  14  0.62  -29 51.0   3.127   4.082   159   15.8   0:24 (  0, 25)  

* 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 15.8 mag (Mar. 15, Yuji Ohshima). 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)  
Apr.  9  18 30.44   24 50.5   5.116   5.315    96   15.9   4:08 (298, 71)  
Apr. 16  18 28.55   25 22.0   5.100   5.379   100   16.0   3:57 (306, 75)  

* C/2013 V4 ( Catalina )

Now it is 15.4 mag (Mar. 10, D. Buczynski). It keeps 16 mag until autumn. It keeps observable in good condition for a long time 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)  
Apr.  9   3 48.77   72 40.7   5.641   5.369    69   16.1  19:55 (159, 36)  
Apr. 16   4  3.05   72 55.0   5.705   5.382    66   16.1  20:02 (159, 35)  

* 65P/Gunn

Now it is 15.8 mag (Mar. 13, Catalina Sky Survey). 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)  
Apr.  9  11 30.63   15 23.3   2.924   3.797   146   16.1  22:18 (  0, 70)  
Apr. 16  11 27.14   15 27.1   2.966   3.780   138   16.1  21:47 (  0, 70)  

* 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 for a long time. It will be unobservable after this in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9   4  2.05  -29 58.2   2.851   2.429    55   16.3  19:55 ( 58, -7)  
Apr. 16   4  9.37  -30 29.4   2.842   2.405    54   16.3  20:02 ( 61,-12)  

* 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)  
Apr.  9  11 19.32   13 23.8   1.877   2.759   145   16.4  22:07 (  0, 68)  
Apr. 16  11 15.80   13 17.2   1.983   2.808   137   16.6  21:36 (  0, 68)  

* C/2015 Y1 ( LINEAR )

It brightened rapidly, and reached up to 15.5 mag (Feb. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). It will be fading after this. It has already faded down to 16.5 mag (Mar. 7, Yasukazu Ikari). It keeps observable until August when the comet becomes fainter than 18 mag in the Northern Hemisphere. It will be unobservable in May in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9   8  4.89   33 50.6   2.225   2.544    96   16.4  19:55 ( 90, 77)  
Apr. 16   8  7.99   35 36.7   2.322   2.534    90   16.4  20:02 ( 99, 71)  

* 100P/Hartley 1

Now it is 17.4 mag (Mar. 16, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). It will brighten up to 16 mag from April to May. 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)  
Apr.  9  15 54.55  -23 57.0   1.154   2.011   137   16.5   2:45 (  0, 31)  
Apr. 16  15 51.00  -26 13.4   1.110   2.014   144   16.4   2:15 (  0, 29)  

* C/2014 B1 ( Schwartz )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Mar. 4, Yuji Ohshima). 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)  
Apr.  9   7 57.88    2 53.0   9.741   9.982   101   16.4  19:55 ( 30, 54)  
Apr. 16   7 58.79    3  9.6   9.838   9.971    94   16.4  20:02 ( 43, 50)  

* C/2015 ER61 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.8 mag (Mar. 17, P. C. Sherrod, L. P. Sherrod). 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)  
Apr.  9  11 20.46   -2 52.7   4.178   5.084   151   16.7  22:08 (  0, 52)  
Apr. 16  11 16.76   -2 22.4   4.168   5.017   144   16.6  21:36 (  0, 53)  

* 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)  
Apr.  9  15  8.38    3 39.9   1.694   2.603   148   17.0   1:59 (  0, 59)  
Apr. 16  15  3.98    3 46.3   1.675   2.616   154   17.0   1:27 (  0, 59)  

* 19P/Borrelly

Now it is 17.9 mag (Mar. 7, 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)  
Apr.  9  13 43.87   30 46.2   2.409   3.248   140   17.0   0:35 (  0, 86)  
Apr. 16  13 36.23   30 42.7   2.466   3.291   139   17.1   0:00 (  0, 86)  

* P/2016 BA14 ( PanSTARRS )

It passed only 0.024 a.u. from the earth on Mar. 23, and brightened up to 12.8 mag (Mar. 22, Paul Camilleri). Almost stellar. Fading very rapidly. It is observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It keeps low after this in the Southern Hemisphere. The orbital elements are similar to those of 252P/LINEAR.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9  16 24.59   43 36.1   0.141   1.064   112   17.0   3:14 (180, 81)  
Apr. 16  16 33.69   41 47.2   0.196   1.098   114   17.7   2:56 (180, 83)  

* 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)  
Apr.  9  12 28.69    5 12.4   1.892   2.866   163   17.1  23:15 (  0, 60)  
Apr. 16  12 22.58    5 33.0   1.888   2.833   155   17.2  22:42 (  0, 60)  

* C/2006 S3 ( LONEOS )

It brightened up to 11-12 mag in 2012. It has already faded down to 17.0 mag (Mar. 11, 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)  
Apr.  9  10 31.20   -3 55.0  10.454  11.240   139   17.1  21:19 (  0, 51)  
Apr. 16  10 28.84   -3 36.1  10.571  11.277   132   17.2  20:49 (  0, 51)  

* C/2015 X7 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.0 mag (Mar. 1, Yasukazu Ikari). It keeps 17-18 mag for a long time until 2017 spring. It will be getting lower gradually after this. It will be unobservable in May in the Northern Hemisphere, or in June inthe Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9   6 47.86   -4 55.4   3.777   3.819    84   17.2  19:55 ( 46, 39)  
Apr. 16   6 52.76   -3 18.1   3.853   3.803    79   17.2  20:02 ( 55, 35)  

* C/2014 R3 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.0 mag (Mar. 17, Jean-Francois Soulier). 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)  
Apr.  9  16 27.57   73 49.6   7.193   7.316    93   17.2   3:18 (180, 51)  
Apr. 16  16 10.52   74 31.0   7.205   7.311    92   17.2   2:33 (180, 51)  

* 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. No observations have been reported since August, 2015.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9  18 10.07  -34  2.5   8.912   9.253   106   17.2   4:08 (348, 20)  
Apr. 16  18  7.91  -34 25.2   8.833   9.287   114   17.2   3:57 (353, 20)  

* C/2015 O1 ( PanSTARRS )

Appearing in the morning sky. It will be observable at 13 mag for a long time from 2017 to 2018. In 2016, it keeps observable at 16-17 mag in good condition until autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9  20 24.52  -15  2.2   6.975   6.778    74   17.3   4:08 (310, 23)  
Apr. 16  20 24.29  -14 38.5   6.810   6.734    81   17.2   3:57 (313, 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)  
Apr.  9  16 37.83  -34 15.7   1.707   2.431   125   17.5   3:29 (  0, 21)  
Apr. 16  16 39.07  -35 26.5   1.679   2.463   131   17.5   3:02 (  0, 20)  

* (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)  
Apr.  9  13 49.59   -3 57.0   2.653   3.643   169   17.5   0:41 (  0, 51)  
Apr. 16  13 45.99   -3 17.8   2.672   3.670   172   17.5   0:10 (  0, 52)  

* C/2014 OE4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Mar. 13, Jean-Francois Soulier). 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)  
Apr.  9  17 28.76   24 18.6   6.061   6.468   109   17.6   4:08 (347, 79)  
Apr. 16  17 27.49   25 39.0   5.989   6.456   113   17.5   3:50 (  0, 81)  

* 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 not observable after this in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9  17 17.39  -53  8.6   0.876   1.566   112   17.7   4:08 (  0,  2)  
Apr. 16  17 39.26  -59 34.8   0.861   1.560   113   17.6   3:57 (359, -4)  

* 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 18.1 mag now (Mar. 18, W. Hasubick). 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)  
Apr.  9  13 22.95  -25 39.7   8.213   9.169   161   17.7   0:14 (  0, 29)  
Apr. 16  13 20.96  -25 24.0   8.201   9.171   164   17.7  23:40 (  0, 30)  

* C/2015 LC2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Mar. 19, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). It becomes brighter than at the discovery in 2015. It is observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from spring to summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9  15 15.72   -1 44.1   5.493   6.368   148   17.7   2:07 (  0, 53)  
Apr. 16  15 12.04   -0 37.5   5.466   6.387   154   17.7   1:35 (  0, 54)  

* C/2016 B1 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 17.9 mag (Mar. 19, iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring). It keeps 17-18 mag for a long time from 2016 to 2017. In 2016, it is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere, but it locates extremely low in the Northern Hemispehre.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9  12  5.62  -45 50.6   3.120   3.932   139   17.9  22:53 (  0,  9)  
Apr. 16  12  2.49  -44 32.4   3.074   3.897   139   17.8  22:22 (  0, 10)  

* C/2016 A1 ( PanSTARRS )

It keeps 16 mag for a long time from 2017 to 2018. Now it is 17.6 mag (Mar. 11, Yasukazu Ikari). In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition until early summer. It will be unobservable in May in the Northern Hemispehre.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9   9  1.12  -27  4.9   6.335   6.859   117   17.9  19:55 (  1, 28)  
Apr. 16   8 58.79  -25 48.3   6.379   6.829   112   17.9  20:02 ( 11, 28)  

* C/2015 YG1 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Mar. 17, Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site). 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)  
Apr.  9  10 25.96   20 54.0   2.184   2.934   130   17.9  21:13 (  0, 76)  
Apr. 16  10 20.96   19  6.6   2.311   2.984   123   18.1  20:41 (  0, 74)  

* P/2006 F1 ( Kowalski )

Although it was bright as 17 mag at the discovery in 2006, it faded out before the perihelion passage in 2008, and it became lost. Now it is fainter than 22 mag (June 15, 2015, Erwin Schwab, Marco Micheli).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9  16  4.90    4 47.0   3.766   4.530   135   17.9   2:56 (  0, 60)  
Apr. 16  16  2.75    5 14.6   3.703   4.524   140   17.9   2:26 (  0, 60)  

* 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 17.9 mag (Mar. 15, Catalina Sky Survey), the fragment C is 17.8 mag (Mar. 15, Catalina Sky Survey), the fragment H is 18.9 mag (Mar. 6, C. Rinner, F. Kugel). It will be 17 mag at best in this apparition. Fragments B to J are also observed.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9   9 18.06   20  0.3   0.866   1.588   116   17.9  20:07 (  0, 75)  
Apr. 16   9 28.80   17 44.8   0.917   1.599   112   18.1  20:02 (  9, 72)  

* 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 (Mar. 11, iTelescope Observatory, Mayhill). 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)  
Apr.  9   8 11.78   30 17.5   2.027   2.398    98   17.9  19:55 ( 71, 78)  
Apr. 16   8 20.05   30 11.0   2.119   2.407    93   18.1  20:02 ( 80, 72)  

* C/2015 H2 ( PanSTARRS )

It keeps observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from spring to autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. It is not observable in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9  18 11.69  -59 50.6   4.777   5.113   104   18.0   4:08 (353, -5)  
Apr. 16  18 15.20  -60 32.9   4.688   5.101   108   17.9   3:57 (355, -6)  

* 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 is appearing in the evening sky now. But it will fade out very rapidly.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Apr.  9   3 43.42   12 56.5   1.334   0.818    37   19.0  19:55 ( 95, 16)  
Apr. 16   4 26.88   14 57.0   1.367   0.908    41   20.1  20:02 ( 96, 18)  

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