Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2018 July 21: North)

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Updated on July 24, 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/2017 S3 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened rapidly in outburst up to 6.9 mag (July 19, Maik Meyer). It is fading after that. Now it is .8 mag (July 21, Alan Hale). 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)  
July 21   5 14.84   54 18.1   1.051   0.807    45    9.2   3:19 (221, 28)  
July 28   6 18.35   47  5.0   0.885   0.638    38    7.8   3:27 (226, 21)  

* C/2016 M1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is bright as 8.6 mag (July 20, Chris Wyatt). It stays bright as 8-9 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 is not observable for a long time until autumn in 2019 when the comet fades out down to 16 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21  16  5.73  -54 33.6   1.482   2.223   124    8.6  20:52 (  6,  0)  
July 28  15 38.27  -55 45.0   1.580   2.216   115    8.7  20:44 ( 13, -3)  

* C/2017 T3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is very bright as 9.2 mag (July 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)  
July 21   6 53.17  -10 51.2   1.406   0.826    35    8.9   3:19 (265,-26)  
July 28   7 36.85  -16 56.9   1.360   0.842    38    8.9   3:27 (269,-31)  

* 21P/Giacobini-Zinner

Now it is very bright as 9.1 mag (July 24, Maik Meyer). It will 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)  
July 21  22 43.24   61  4.8   0.679   1.242    92    9.6   2:48 (180, 64)  
July 28  23 27.73   64 10.3   0.624   1.190    89    9.1   3:05 (180, 61)  

* C/2018 N1 ( NEOWISE )

Bright new comet. Now it is 9.5 mag (July 23, Chris Wyatt). Now it is approaching to Earth down to 0.3 a.u. It stays observable in good condition until September. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21  23  9.89  -27 21.2   0.383   1.320   136   10.1   3:19 (  0, 28)  
July 28  19 49.12  -36 31.0   0.308   1.310   160    9.6  23:05 (  0, 19)  

* 364P/2018 A2 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened rapidly as predicted, and brightened up to 11.1 mag (July 13, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading. But it is still bright as 12.2 mag (July 23, Chris Wyatt). 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)  
July 21   6  4.74  -28 10.0   0.236   0.906    56   11.4   3:19 (287,-26)  
July 28   5  6.66  -32 31.6   0.246   0.962    70   12.1   3:27 (302,-11)  

* C/2016 R2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 11.3 mag (July 9, 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)  
July 21   8 45.96   52 41.4   3.504   2.713    33   11.4  20:52 (148, 12)  
July 28   9  8.28   52 42.0   3.511   2.735    34   11.5  20:44 (147, 12)  

* 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)  
July 21   8 28.64   30 47.4   3.655   2.669    12   12.3  20:52 (135, -6)  
July 28   8 33.10   28 55.6   3.666   2.671     9   12.3  20:44 (136,-10)  

* 66P/du Toit

It brightened rapidly, and brightened up to 10.2 mag from May to June (May 22, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading. But it is still bright as 13.6 mag (July 23, Chris Wyatt).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)  
July 21   1 24.22  -18 15.6   0.922   1.533   104   12.4   3:19 (324, 28)  
July 28   1 26.64  -17 11.7   0.919   1.582   109   12.8   3:27 (332, 33)  

* 48P/Johnson

Now it is bright as 13.0 mag (July 23, Chris Wyatt). It stays at 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.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21  22 41.46  -19 14.5   1.111   2.012   142   12.9   2:48 (  0, 36)  
July 28  22 43.24  -20 32.7   1.073   2.008   148   12.7   2:22 (  0, 35)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is 14.2 mag (July 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). Juan Jose Gonzalez reported it was bright as 12.0 mag visually on July 22.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21  23 19.42    1 33.3   5.115   5.777   126   13.3   3:19 (357, 57)  
July 28  23 18.04    1 35.7   5.031   5.776   133   13.2   2:57 (  0, 57)  

* 37P/Forbes

Now it is bright as 13.5 mag (July 23, Chris Wyatt). It stays observable in good condition for a long time after this. But it will be fading gradually.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21  23 44.32    2 11.4   1.033   1.780   120   13.5   3:19 (346, 56)  
July 28  23 45.21    3 25.8   1.010   1.809   126   13.7   3:24 (  0, 58)  

* C/2015 O1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 12.8 mag (July 13, Seiichi Yoshida). 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)  
July 21  11 44.76   44  2.8   4.513   3.965    51   13.9  20:52 (124, 33)  
July 28  11 43.92   42 49.4   4.603   3.986    47   13.9  20:44 (124, 29)  

* 38P/Stephan-Oterma

Now it is 15.2 mag (June 21, Kunihiro Shima). 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)  
July 21   3  9.79    1 17.0   2.161   2.106    73   14.3   3:19 (288, 26)  
July 28   3 24.53    2 18.0   2.050   2.054    75   13.9   3:27 (291, 30)  

* C/2017 M4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 13.6 mag (July 13, Seiichi Yoshida). It stays 13-14 mag until summer in 2019. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a while. In the Southern Hemisphere, it locates extremely low until summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21  16 57.83   37 28.3   3.234   3.675   107   14.2  21:00 (180, 88)  
July 28  16 47.71   34 57.3   3.250   3.645   104   14.2  20:44 ( 88, 86)  

* 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)  
July 21   7  5.74   18 10.5   2.402   1.431    13   14.6   3:19 (239,-11)  
July 28   7 29.47   18 20.6   2.402   1.436    13   14.6   3:27 (240, -9)  

* 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)  
July 21  12 11.91  -64 13.8   4.019   4.272    97   15.0  20:52 ( 26,-23)  
July 28  12 18.85  -64  6.5   4.051   4.249    94   15.0  20:44 ( 27,-24)  

* 65P/Gunn

Now it is 16.6 mag (June 21, Kunihiro Shima). 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)  
July 21  23 32.04  -16  6.3   2.461   3.207   129   15.3   3:19 (354, 39)  
July 28  23 31.07  -16 33.1   2.407   3.220   136   15.3   3:10 (  0, 39)  

* 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)  
July 21  13 54.47  -22 15.6   2.080   2.414    96   15.4  20:52 ( 42, 20)  
July 28  13 59.32  -19 45.1   2.126   2.356    89   15.4  20:44 ( 47, 19)  

* (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)  
July 21   3 28.72   27 40.5   2.463   2.172    61   15.6   3:19 (259, 36)  
July 28   3 41.34   30 14.6   2.364   2.143    65   15.5   3:27 (258, 41)  

* 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)  
July 21   2  7.74  -47 41.7   4.552   4.896   103   15.5   3:19 (332, -1)  
July 28   2  9.11  -48 34.1   4.561   4.958   107   15.6   3:27 (338,  1)  

* 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)  
July 21   0 53.11  -18 56.4   4.150   4.623   111   15.7   3:19 (332, 31)  
July 28   0 49.07  -20 45.9   4.067   4.646   119   15.7   3:27 (343, 33)  

* 129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3

Now it is around the apheilon. But it is bright as 15.8 mag in outburst (July 21, Hidetaka Sato).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21  21 23.47  -11 48.3   3.679   4.638   158   15.8   1:30 (  0, 43)  
July 28  21 19.84  -12  5.6   3.647   4.638   165   15.9   0:59 (  0, 43)  

* C/2018 C2 ( Lemmon )

It brightened rapidly. Now it is 15.7 mag (July 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in September.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21  15  4.03   -0 22.9   1.531   2.046   105   15.9  20:52 ( 40, 47)  
July 28  15 11.37   -3 58.0   1.615   2.072   101   16.1  20:44 ( 41, 42)  

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is 15.9 mag (July 14, iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring). It will brighten up to 12 mag in autumn in 2019. It stays observable in good condition for a while in the Southern Hemisphere. It will become observable after August also in the Northern Hemisphere. But it stays extremely low for a long time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21   3 12.01  -41 30.9   4.977   5.096    90   16.1   3:19 (320, -4)  
July 28   3 13.36  -41 55.1   4.864   5.048    94   16.0   3:27 (324,  0)  

* (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)  
July 21   2 31.36   23 50.1   1.468   1.555    75   16.4   3:19 (271, 46)  
July 28   2 40.05   27 11.0   1.457   1.606    78   16.4   3:27 (270, 53)  

* 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)  
July 21  22  0.63   -2 53.1   1.902   2.801   145   16.8   2:07 (  0, 52)  
July 28  21 57.53   -2 59.2   1.826   2.769   152   16.5   1:37 (  0, 52)  

* 64P/Swift-Gehrels

Now it is 19.2 mag (June 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It was expected to brighten rapidly up to 10 mag in autumn. But actually, it is much fainter than expected. 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)  
July 21  23 41.35    5 57.9   1.131   1.856   119   17.3   3:19 (346, 60)  
July 28  23 48.90    8  5.7   1.036   1.807   123   16.9   3:27 (  0, 63)  

* 105P/Singer Brewster

It brightened rapidly, and brightened up to 16.0 mag in spring (Apr. 14,Catalina Sky Survey). Now it is fading slowly. It has already faded down to 17.9 mag (July 14, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be getting low after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21  13 26.05   -2 28.4   1.911   2.051    82   17.0  20:52 ( 62, 30)  
July 28  13 37.57   -3 27.4   1.976   2.047    79   17.1  20:44 ( 63, 27)  

* 46P/Wirtanen

Now it is 18.9 mag (July 9, W. Hasubick). It will approach to Earth down to 0.08 a.u. in December, and it is expected to brighten up to 3 mag. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable in good condition until mid December when it brightens up to 3 mag. But it becomes unobservable after that.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21   0 41.98  -13 23.9   1.404   2.026   112   17.6   3:19 (332, 37)  
July 28   0 51.22  -13 42.7   1.286   1.967   116   17.1   3:27 (340, 39)  

* 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)  
July 21  23 49.11   76  6.8   7.560   7.404    77   17.1   3:19 (183, 49)  
July 28  23 47.69   76 37.3   7.541   7.429    79   17.1   3:27 (180, 48)  

* 137P/Shoemaker-Levy 2

Now it is 18.1 mag (June 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
July 21  21 50.13   -4 36.2   1.409   2.338   148   17.3   1:57 (  0, 50)  
July 28  21 47.96   -4 27.6   1.342   2.305   155   17.1   1:27 (  0, 51)  

* C/2018 M1 ( Catalina )

Now it is 17.1 mag (July 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
July 21   2 41.47   31 50.1   1.230   1.314    70   17.1   3:19 (259, 47)  
July 28   3  2.08   37 25.3   1.230   1.330    71   17.2   3:27 (252, 51)  

* 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 17 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)  
July 21   1  5.81   24 56.9   3.051   3.265    92   17.1   3:19 (285, 64)  
July 28   1  8.77   25 57.7   3.001   3.304    98   17.2   3:27 (292, 70)  

* C/2011 KP36 ( Spacewatch )

Now it is 17.3 mag (Feb. 20, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 17 mag in 2018.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21   4 52.15    5 42.9   7.951   7.309    47   17.1   3:19 (268,  8)  
July 28   4 55.82    5 36.4   7.904   7.342    53   17.1   3:27 (273, 14)  

* 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)  
July 21  14 27.25   -3 10.2   6.386   6.595    97   17.2  20:52 ( 48, 39)  
July 28  14 28.16   -2 53.9   6.521   6.617    91   17.3  20:44 ( 53, 37)  

* C/2017 T2 ( PanSTARRS )

It is expected to brighten up to 7-8 mag in 2020. It is already observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It will become observable in good condition also in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21   3 53.78   -3 36.9   7.395   7.027    65   17.3   3:19 (285, 14)  
July 28   3 56.10   -3 36.5   7.243   6.970    70   17.2   3:27 (290, 20)  

* 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)  
July 21  18 22.41  -44 34.6   1.522   2.447   148   17.3  22:23 (  0, 10)  
July 28  17 48.77  -44 33.8   1.663   2.513   138   17.6  21:23 (  0, 10)  

* 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 18.3 mag (July 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will be fainter than 18 mag in August.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21  14 36.87  -10 17.5   1.816   2.259   102   17.3  20:52 ( 41, 35)  
July 28  14 27.79   -9  9.8   2.017   2.305    92   17.6  20:44 ( 49, 32)  

* P/2018 L3 ( NEAT )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 16.5 mag in 2005. Now it is 19.1 mag (June 14, E. Schwab, D. Abreu). It will be observable at 17 mag in good condition in autumn. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21   0 57.94   26  4.5   1.804   2.132    94   18.1   3:19 (284, 66)  
July 28   1  8.02   27 42.0   1.727   2.117    97   17.9   3:27 (288, 72)  

* P/2008 O2 ( McNaught )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 17 mag in 2008. It was predicted to brighten up to 18 mag in autumn. But actually, it is much fainter than predicted, fainter than 21.5 mag (June 22, Erwin Schwab).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
July 21  23 26.82   -0 31.8   3.144   3.828   125   18.0   3:19 (354, 54)  
July 28  23 25.64   -0 21.9   3.065   3.826   132   17.9   3:05 (  0, 55)  

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