Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2018 June 30: South)

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Updated on July 5, 2018
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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/2016 M1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is bright as 8.6 mag (June 23, Chris Wyatt). 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 30  17 43.78  -45 47.0   1.298   2.261   155    8.4  23:08 (  0, 79)  
July  7  17 10.88  -49 44.3   1.335   2.245   145    8.4  22:07 (  0, 75)  

* C/2017 T3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is very bright as 8.8 mag (June 23, Chris Wyatt). In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable from July to September, but it locates in extremely low. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until late December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 30   5 15.00    6  5.8   1.702   0.900    25    9.7   5:38 (257,  7)  
July  7   5 42.91    1  0.2   1.587   0.857    29    9.3   5:38 (261, 10)  

* 21P/Giacobini-Zinner

Now it is bright as 12.2 mag (June 23, 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 30  21 26.19   49 33.5   0.858   1.417    97   11.2   2:55 (180,  6)  
July  7  21 45.84   53 33.6   0.796   1.356    96   10.7   2:47 (180,  1)  

* 364P/2018 A2 ( PanSTARRS )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 13 mag in 2013. Now it is bright as 11.0 mag (July 1, Martin Masek). 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 30   8 22.65   -3 47.4   0.296   0.803    37   10.9  18:29 ( 98, 19)  
July  7   7 48.68  -12 30.0   0.259   0.824    36   10.7  18:31 ( 81, 10)  

* C/2017 S3 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened rapidly. Now it is very bright as 9.0 mag (July 1, Michael Jager). It is expected to approach to Sun down to 0.2 a.u. and brighten up to 3 mag in August. 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 30   2 56.71   59 25.2   1.586   1.257    52   12.0   5:38 (200,-11)  
July  7   3 34.47   59  3.0   1.410   1.115    51   11.2   5:38 (202,-11)  

* 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 30   7 41.16   51 47.0   3.474   2.659    31   11.3  18:29 (139,-21)  
July  7   8  2.25   52 13.7   3.487   2.675    31   11.3  18:31 (139,-23)  

* 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 30   8 14.80   36 41.4   3.558   2.676    25   12.2  18:29 (130, -8)  
July  7   8 19.44   34 39.6   3.600   2.672    20   12.3  18:31 (125,-11)  

* 48P/Johnson

Now it is 13.9 mag (June 21, Kunihiro Shima). It is expected to brighten up to 12-13 mag from summer to autumn. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. Juan Jose Gonzalez reported it was very bright as 11.5 mag on June 19.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 30  22 28.05  -16 20.1   1.272   2.034   124   13.3   3:57 (180, 71)  
July  7  22 33.80  -17  6.9   1.212   2.025   130   13.1   3:35 (180, 72)  

* 66P/du Toit

It brightened rapidly as expected. Now it is very bright as 11.1 mag (June 23, 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 30   1  2.39  -22 29.8   0.923   1.405    92   13.1   5:38 (226, 73)  
July  7   1 12.09  -20 54.0   0.924   1.444    96   14.1   5:38 (211, 74)  

* 37P/Forbes

Now it is bright as 12.1 mag (June 23, 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 30  23 30.70   -2 28.7   1.121   1.704   105   13.2   5:00 (180, 57)  
July  7  23 36.99   -0 47.0   1.089   1.728   110   13.3   4:38 (180, 56)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is 15.7 mag (June 21, Kunihiro Shima).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 30  23 20.56    1  6.5   5.407   5.779   106   13.4   4:50 (180, 54)  
July  7  23 20.68    1 18.6   5.304   5.778   113   13.3   4:22 (180, 54)  

* 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 30  11 53.27   48  6.8   4.204   3.906    66   13.6  18:29 (169,  6)  
July  7  11 49.23   46 42.1   4.312   3.925    61   13.7  18:31 (163,  5)  

* 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 30  17 36.98   43 30.0   3.268   3.769   112   14.3  23:01 (180, 12)  
July  7  17 22.69   41 48.1   3.243   3.737   111   14.3  22:20 (180, 13)  

* 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 30  23 16.31    0 12.9   1.450   2.010   107   14.9   4:45 (180, 55)  
July  7  23 25.00    2  2.0   1.338   1.958   111   14.5   4:26 (180, 53)  

* 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 30   5 54.50   16 30.9   2.422   1.440    11   14.8   5:38 (254, -6)  
July  7   6 18.12   17 15.6   2.412   1.433    11   14.7   5:38 (253, -6)  

* 38P/Stephan-Oterma

Now it is 16.4 mag (June 21, Katsumi Yoshimoto). 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 30   2 27.55   -1 50.9   2.505   2.271    65   15.4   5:38 (232, 44)  
July  7   2 41.31   -0 47.4   2.389   2.215    67   15.0   5:38 (227, 45)  

* C/2017 B3 ( LINEAR )

Now it is 15.1 mag (June 18, 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 30  11 59.53  -65  7.2   3.933   4.346   107   15.1  18:29 ( 12, 58)  
July  7  12  2.15  -64 44.6   3.959   4.321   104   15.0  18:31 ( 17, 57)  

* 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 15.2 mag (June 18, 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 30   1 58.34  -45 22.8   4.545   4.706    92   15.3   5:38 (305, 67)  
July  7   2  2.30  -46  5.2   4.545   4.769    96   15.4   5:38 (311, 70)  

* 65P/Gunn

Now it is 17.5 mag (June 18, 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 30  23 28.97  -15 15.8   2.662   3.168   110   15.4   4:58 (180, 70)  
July  7  23 30.98  -15 27.1   2.589   3.181   116   15.4   4:32 (180, 70)  

* C/2018 L2 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 14.7 mag (June 22, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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 30  13 47.06  -31  4.5   1.981   2.600   116   15.6  19:14 (180, 86)  
July  7  13 48.17  -27 56.2   2.008   2.539   109   15.6  18:48 (180, 83)  

* (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 30   2 53.20   20 29.6   2.763   2.268    51   15.8   5:38 (222, 22)  
July  7   3  4.69   22 48.5   2.664   2.235    54   15.7   5:38 (217, 22)  

* 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 30   0 59.79  -14 13.1   4.447   4.560    89   15.8   5:38 (212, 66)  
July  7   0 58.41  -15 39.5   4.343   4.581    97   15.8   5:38 (196, 70)  

* 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 30  14 48.16   11 32.2   1.334   1.986   114   16.1  20:15 (180, 44)  
July  7  14 52.33    7 24.7   1.390   2.003   111   16.3  19:52 (180, 48)  

* (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 30   1 59.75   13 12.8   1.494   1.416    65   16.2   5:38 (214, 35)  
July  7   2 11.11   16 51.3   1.487   1.459    68   16.3   5:38 (207, 33)  

* 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 30  16 25.77  -27 45.1   3.173   4.090   150   16.3  21:51 (180, 83)  
July  7  16 13.23  -27 24.0   3.296   4.139   141   16.4  21:11 (180, 82)  

* C/2018 K1 ( Weiland )

It brightened up to 14.8 mag in May (May 26, Ken-ichi Kadota). It stays observable in good condition for a while. But it will fade out rapidly after this. It has already faded down to 17.5 mag (June 21, Kunihiro Shima). It will be fainter than 18 mag in August.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 30  15 34.76  -16 24.6   1.271   2.133   137   16.3  20:59 (180, 71)  
July  7  15  8.62  -13 50.0   1.435   2.173   123   16.7  20:06 (180, 69)  

* 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 30   0 52.05   21 29.1   3.204   3.152    77   16.5   5:38 (192, 33)  
July  7   0 57.40   22 42.2   3.153   3.189    82   16.5   5:38 (186, 32)  

* 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 30  12 55.51    0  2.7   1.719   2.069    94   16.6  18:29 (178, 55)  
July  7  13  4.94   -0 42.3   1.782   2.062    90   16.6  18:31 (168, 55)  

* C/2017 S6 ( Catalina )

Now it is 17.2 mag (June 21, Kunihiro Shima). It is 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 30  20 29.08  -37 28.4   1.305   2.252   151   16.6   2:01 (  0, 88)  
July  7  19 46.42  -41 14.8   1.337   2.316   159   16.8   0:51 (  0, 84)  

* 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh

Now it is 16.5 mag (June 17, Martin Masek). It will be fading slowly until summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 30  11 42.49    8 24.3   3.707   3.578    74   16.8  18:29 (153, 43)  
July  7  11 47.97    7 36.3   3.805   3.581    69   16.9  18:31 (145, 41)  

* 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 30  21  0.61    2  3.1   5.215   5.992   136   17.0   2:30 (180, 53)  
July  7  20 59.29    2  9.5   5.156   5.994   142   17.0   2:01 (180, 53)  

* 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 30  23 45.07   74 16.5   7.598   7.330    70   17.0   5:14 (180,-19)  
July  7  23 47.70   74 55.8   7.589   7.355    72   17.0   4:49 (180,-20)  

* 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 30  14 27.21   -4 20.2   6.000   6.533   117   17.0  19:54 (180, 59)  
July  7  14 26.77   -3 53.1   6.124   6.553   110   17.1  19:26 (180, 59)  

* C/2018 M1 ( Catalina )

Now it is 17.2 mag (July 1, E. J. Christensen). It stays 17 mag until August. It is observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It will be getting low and becom unobservable soon in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 30   1 45.53   14  9.5   1.301   1.324    68   17.3   5:38 (209, 36)  
July  7   2  3.35   20  5.0   1.273   1.316    69   17.2   5:38 (204, 31)  

* 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 30  22  3.93   -3 18.6   2.185   2.898   125   17.6   3:33 (180, 58)  
July  7  22  3.85   -3  3.3   2.082   2.865   132   17.3   3:06 (180, 58)  

* 137P/Shoemaker-Levy 2

It will be observable at 16.5 mag in good condition from August to September.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 30  21 50.09   -5 45.0   1.663   2.443   129   18.0   3:19 (180, 61)  
July  7  21 51.22   -5 15.7   1.570   2.407   135   17.8   2:53 (180, 60)  

* 243P/NEAT

Now it is 19.6 mag (June 15, Hidetaka Sato). It is predicted to be observable at 17 mag in good condition in autumn. But actually, it is fainter than this ephemeris by 1 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
June 30   1 19.06    0  0.5   2.453   2.483    79   18.0   5:38 (209, 51)  
July  7   1 28.33    0 39.1   2.367   2.476    83   17.9   5:38 (202, 52)  

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