Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2018 June 16: North)

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 Updated on June 18, 2018
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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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* C/2016 M1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is bright as 8.7 mag (June 18, Marco Goiato). It stays bright as 9 mag for a while. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time until the comet will fade out. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable soon. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  18 38.58  -35 34.6   1.313   2.300   161    9.2   1:05 (  0, 20)  
June 23  18 13.50  -40 56.2   1.290   2.279   162    9.1   0:13 (  0, 14)

* C/2017 T3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is not observable. It will brighten up to 9 mag in summer, but it is hardly observable when it is bright. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until late December. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable from July to September, but it locates in extremely low. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   4 28.65   14 18.7   1.942   1.029    18   10.6   2:58 (241,-14)  
June 23   4 50.55   10 31.0   1.822   0.959    22   10.1   3:00 (245,-15)

* C/2016 R2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 11.5 mag (June 12, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It stays bright as 11 mag for a long time until autumn. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable for a long time after this. In the Northern Hemispehre, it stays observable for a long time until the comet fades out. But it stays very low until autumn. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   7  1.14   50 29.9   3.441   2.633    31   11.2  21:02 (144, 13)  
June 23   7 20.76   51 12.3   3.459   2.645    31   11.3  21:04 (145, 12)

* 364P/2018 A2 ( PanSTARRS )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 13 mag in 2013. Brightening very rapidly. Now it is bright as 12.8 mag (June 14, Chris Wyatt). It will brighten up to 11 mag in summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition all through this apparition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable at the high light from mid June to mid August. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   8 54.00   10  7.9   0.404   0.809    48   12.0  21:02 ( 96,  8)  
June 23   8 43.52    3 50.0   0.346   0.798    42   11.3  21:04 ( 97, -4)

* 66P/du Toit

It brightened rapidly as expected. Now it is very bright as 10.8 mag (June 13, Chris Wyatt). It will fade out rapidly after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition. It will be getting higher gradually after this also in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   0 35.53  -26 13.2   0.915   1.343    87   11.5   2:58 (308,  6)  
June 23   0 50.24  -24 16.5   0.919   1.371    90   12.3   3:00 (309, 10)

* 21P/Giacobini-Zinner

Now it is bright as 12.5 mag (June 13, Chris Wyatt). It will brighten rapidly, and brighten up to 7 mag from August to September. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be observable in excellent condition. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be unobservable from July to August. But it will be observable in good condition before and after that. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  20 55.46   41 31.9   0.993   1.544   100   12.2   2:58 (211, 82)  
June 23  21  9.54   45 31.8   0.924   1.480    99   11.7   3:00 (186, 79)

* 48P/Johnson

Now it is 14.4 mag (June 13, Chris Wyatt). It was expected to brighten up to 11 mag from summer to autumn. But actually, it is fainter than this ephemeris recently. 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)  
June 16  22 13.32  -15 20.1   1.411   2.055   114   12.4   2:58 (331, 35)  
June 23  22 21.18  -15 44.8   1.339   2.043   119   12.2   3:00 (336, 36)

* C/2016 N6 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 11.7 mag (June 12, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It stays 12 mag for a long time until spring in 2019. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time, although it becomes unobservable temporarily from mid June to August. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until September. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   8  5.73   41  0.8   3.447   2.691    35   12.2  21:02 (129, 16)  
June 23   8 10.21   38 48.2   3.507   2.682    30   12.2  21:04 (130, 11)

* C/2017 S3 ( PanSTARRS )

It is expected to approach to Sun down to 0.2 a.u. and brighten up to 3 mag in August. Now it is 15.2 mag (June 7, Ken-ichi Kadota). It is fainter than this ephemeris recently. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in the morning sky until early August when the comet brightens up to 6 mag. It is not observable at all in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   1 57.80   58 48.4   1.919   1.523    52   13.2   2:58 (218, 34)  
June 23   2 25.01   59 15.4   1.756   1.393    52   12.7   3:00 (217, 34)

* 37P/Forbes

Now it is bright as 13.0 mag (June 13, Chris Wyatt). It will be observable at 12-13 mag in good condition from spring to summer. Juan Jose Gonzalez reported it was very bright as 10.5 mag on June 13. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  23 13.47   -6 10.2   1.190   1.665    97   13.1   2:58 (310, 34)  
June 23  23 22.84   -4 16.5   1.155   1.683   101   13.2   3:00 (313, 39)

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is 14.4 mag (June 2, Ken-ichi Kadota). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  23 18.84    0 33.4   5.623   5.780    93   13.5   2:58 (303, 38)  
June 23  23 19.94    0 51.4   5.514   5.779   100   13.4   3:00 (309, 43)

* C/2015 O1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 13.6 mag (June 7, Thomas Lehmann). It will be observable at 12-13 mag for a long time from 2017 to 2018. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be hardly observable after this. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  12  6.26   51  1.1   3.979   3.871    76   13.5  21:02 (132, 58)  
June 23  11 58.85   49 33.6   4.092   3.888    71   13.5  21:04 (128, 52)

* C/2017 M4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 14.2 mag (June 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 13 mag in 2019 spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it locates extremely low until summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  18  7.30   45 47.7   3.360   3.835   110   14.5   0:33 (180, 79)  
June 23  17 52.01   44 50.2   3.308   3.802   111   14.4  23:44 (180, 80)

* 49P/Arend-Rigaux

The condition is worst in this apparition. It brightens up to 14.5 mag from June to August, but it is not observable at all. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   5  8.19   14 29.5   2.451   1.467    11   15.2   2:58 (234,-20)  
June 23   5 31.16   15 35.3   2.434   1.451    11   15.0   3:00 (234,-19)

* C/2017 B3 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 15.2 mag (May 21, Martin Masek). It stays 15 mag from 2018 to 2019, and it will be observable for a long time in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  11 59.40  -66  2.3   3.893   4.398   113   15.1  21:02 ( 16,-16)  
June 23  11 58.57  -65 33.4   3.911   4.372   110   15.1  21:04 ( 19,-17)

* 64P/Swift-Gehrels

Now it is 19.2 mag (June 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten rapidly, and it is expected to brighten up to 10 mag in autumn. But actually, it is much fainter than this ephemeris. It will be observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It stays low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  22 58.14   -3  9.8   1.687   2.115   100   15.5   2:58 (311, 39)  
June 23  23  7.34   -1 30.9   1.566   2.062   103   15.2   3:00 (315, 43)

* C/2015 V2 ( Johnson )

It brightened up to 7.1 mag from May to June in 2017 (June 21, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 14.8 mag (May 23, Martin Masek). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time after this. It will never be observable again in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   1 48.23  -44 12.8   4.549   4.579    85   15.2   2:58 (313,-16)  
June 23   1 53.64  -44 45.2   4.546   4.642    89   15.3   3:00 (316,-13)

* 65P/Gunn

Now it is 17.2 mag (May 21, Martin Masek). It is observable at 15 mag in 2018, in good 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)  
June 16  23 22.25  -15 10.6   2.818   3.143    99   15.5   2:58 (314, 26)  
June 23  23 26.04  -15 10.3   2.739   3.155   104   15.5   3:00 (320, 29)

* C/2018 L2 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 15.3 mag (June 4, L. S. Amaral, P. R. Holvorcem). It stays at 14-15 mag for a long time from summer to winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition for a while. But it will be getting lower rapidly in September, then it becomes unobservable after October. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time until it fades out. But it stays extremely low. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  13 49.52  -37 42.6   1.960   2.725   129   15.8  21:02 ( 11, 16)  
June 23  13 47.46  -34 21.3   1.964   2.662   123   15.7  21:04 ( 18, 18)

* C/2018 K1 ( Weiland )

Now it is bright as 14.8 mag (May 26, Ken-ichi Kadota). It stays observable in good condition for a while. But it will fade out rapidly after this. It will be fainter than 18 mag in August. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  16 56.84  -22 36.6   1.051   2.060   170   15.7  23:14 (  0, 33)  
June 23  16 10.49  -19 28.0   1.138   2.095   153   16.0  22:01 (  0, 36)

* 38P/Stephan-Oterma

Now it is 16.7 mag (May 13, Hidetaka Sato). It will brighten rapidly after this, and it is expected to brighten up to 9 mag from autumn to winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be getting higher gradually after July. Then it stays observable in good condition for a long time until it fades out. In the Southern Hemispehre, it is observable in good condition until autumn, but it will be low in winter. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   2  0.97   -4  0.1   2.742   2.386    59   16.1   2:58 (278,  4)  
June 23   2 14.11   -2 55.1   2.623   2.328    62   15.8   3:00 (279,  8)

* C/2018 C2 ( Lemmon )

It brightened rapidly. Now it is 15.5 mag (June 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in August. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  14 43.64   19 53.1   1.251   1.964   119   15.8  21:05 (  0, 75)  
June 23  14 45.23   15 43.4   1.288   1.973   117   15.9  21:04 ( 17, 70)

* C/2015 V1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.2 mag (May 19, CAO, San Pedro de Atacama). Fading now. It stays observable in good condition for a long time after this in the Southern Hemisphere. It stays low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   1  0.45  -11 44.8   4.658   4.521    75   15.9   2:58 (293, 12)  
June 23   1  0.45  -12 54.9   4.552   4.540    82   15.9   3:00 (299, 16)

* (944) Hidalgo

It will brighten up to 14 mag in winter. It will be observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable only until August. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   2 31.10   16  3.8   2.959   2.338    44   15.9   2:58 (257, 10)  
June 23   2 42.02   18 14.9   2.862   2.302    47   15.9   3:00 (258, 15)

* C/2015 VL62 ( Lemmon-Yeung-PanSTARRS )

It is fading now, but it stays 16 mag until summer. But actually, it is 18.1 mag (Mar. 23, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato), fainter than this ephemeris. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  16 55.35  -28 14.1   2.990   3.993   169   16.1  23:15 (  0, 27)  
June 23  16 39.89  -28  2.5   3.071   4.042   160   16.2  22:33 (  0, 27)

* (3552) Don Quixote

Now it is 16.2 mag (June 17, Jean-Francois Soulier). It stays 16 mag for a while. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable until August, but it will be unobservable after that. In the Northern Hemisphere, it becomes observable in good condition after this. Its cometary activity was observed on Mar. 26 (M. Mommert, D. Polishook, N. Moskovitz). 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   1 34.87    5 37.0   1.504   1.340    60   16.1   2:58 (274, 15)  
June 23   1 47.67    9 28.1   1.500   1.376    62   16.2   3:00 (273, 21)

* C/2017 S6 ( Catalina )

It stays observable at 16.5 mag for a while. It will be observable in good condition after this in the Southern Hemisphere. But it stays low in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  21 37.12  -27 32.4   1.364   2.127   126   16.5   2:58 (344, 26)  
June 23  21  6.60  -32 41.1   1.315   2.189   139   16.5   3:00 (359, 23)

* C/2017 K4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.2 mag (May 21, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It was observed at 16 mag from summer to autumn in 2017. It will be observable at 16.5 mag in good condition also in 2018. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   0 39.39   18 53.4   3.302   3.081    68   16.5   2:58 (270, 34)  
June 23   0 46.03   20 12.8   3.254   3.116    73   16.5   3:00 (271, 39)

* 105P/Singer Brewster

Unexpectedly, it brightened rapidly. Now it is 16.6 mag (May 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays at 16.5 mag until July. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  12 39.26    1 11.6   1.596   2.088   103   16.5  21:02 ( 46, 46)  
June 23  12 46.91    0 41.0   1.657   2.078    99   16.5  21:04 ( 52, 42)

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

Now it is 15.9 mag (May 4, Kunihiro Shima). It will be fading slowly until summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  11 32.98    9 52.9   3.507   3.571    85   16.7  21:02 ( 71, 40)  
June 23  11 37.48    9  9.9   3.608   3.574    79   16.7  21:04 ( 75, 35)

* C/2014 B1 ( Schwartz )

Now it is 16.6 mag (May 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading slowly after this. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  10 25.61    9 17.4   9.979   9.682    70   16.9  21:02 ( 82, 27)  
June 23  10 27.85    9 14.1  10.090   9.688    64   16.9  21:04 ( 86, 21)

* C/2017 E3 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.9 mag (May 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fainter than 18 mag in summer. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  14 29.47   -5 26.7   5.773   6.492   131   16.9  21:02 (  4, 49)  
June 23  14 28.11   -4 51.4   5.882   6.512   124   17.0  21:04 ( 16, 49)

* C/2014 OE4 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.1 mag (June 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading gradually after this, and it will be fainter than 18 mag in winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  23 36.57   72 52.2   7.606   7.282    67   17.0   2:58 (197, 46)  
June 23  23 41.32   73 35.1   7.604   7.306    69   17.0   3:00 (195, 47)

* C/2017 M5 ( TOTAS )

Now it is 17.9 mag (June 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable at 17 mag in good condition from spring to autumn. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  21  2.12    1 39.5   5.361   5.990   124   17.1   2:58 (347, 56)  
June 23  21  1.57    1 53.0   5.284   5.991   130   17.1   2:59 (  0, 57)

* C/2018 EF9 ( Lemmon )

It brightened very rapidly, and it brightened so much up to 11.8 mag in May (May 16, Juan Jose Gonzalez). It seems to be fading rapidly after that. It has already faded down to 16.9 mag (June 1, Yuji Ohshima). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable until it fades out. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16   4 36.79   84 22.3   1.808   1.591    61   17.1   2:58 (186, 32)  
June 23   4  9.09   84 48.4   1.817   1.614    62   20.1   3:00 (186, 33)

* 78P/Gehrels 2

Now it is 17.2 mag (June 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays at 13 mag for a long time from winter to autumn in 2019. It stays observable in good condition until winter when the comet brightens up to 13 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 16  22  1.19   -4  5.9   2.408   2.962   113   18.1   2:58 (328, 46)  
June 23  22  3.02   -3 39.7   2.293   2.930   119   17.8   3:00 (337, 49)

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