Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2020 Oct. 3: North)

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Updated on October 6, 2020
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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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* 88P/Howell

Now it is 9.2 mag (Sept. 26, Jose Guilherme de S. Aguiar). It stays bright as 8-9 mag until early November. It will be observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates very low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  16 54.22  -26 15.0   1.422   1.355    65    8.8  19:05 ( 41, 16)  
Oct. 10  17 21.36  -26 55.3   1.448   1.361    64    8.8  18:55 ( 39, 16)  

* C/2020 M3 ( ATLAS )

It brightened rapidly. Now it is very bright as 9.4 mag (Sept. 26, Michael Mattiazzo). It will brighten up to 9 mag from October to November, and will be observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   4 26.62  -31 34.3   0.526   1.312   114    9.8   3:39 (  0, 23)  
Oct. 10   4 42.20  -28 35.2   0.484   1.289   116    9.5   3:27 (  0, 26)  

* C/2020 P1 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is 13.2 mag (Sept. 20, Michael Mattiazzo). Although it is a tiny comet, it will approach to Sun down to 0.34 a.u. on Oct. 20, and it is expected to brighten up to 8.5 mag. It will be unobservable soon even in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky at 10 mag in late October. Then it stasy observable while the comet will be fading rapidly. In the Southern Hemipshere, it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  12 31.99  -39 16.2   0.728   0.585    35   11.0   4:32 (298,-34)  
Oct. 10  12 33.37  -26 48.5   0.665   0.450    21    9.6   4:38 (288,-23)  

* C/2020 F3 ( NEOWISE )

It approached to Sun down to 0.29 a.u. on July 3, and it brightened up to 0.6 mag (Alan Hale). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 11.3 mag (Sept. 27, Mitsunori Tsumura). It will be unobservable soon. Then it will appear in the morning sky at 14 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  15  6.99  -12 41.1   2.665   1.977    38   11.1  19:05 ( 69,  7)  
Oct. 10  15 14.70  -14  1.3   2.847   2.087    33   11.5  18:55 ( 69,  4)  

* C/2017 T2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 11.2 mag (Sept. 11, Carlos Labordena). It will be unobservable soon. Then it will appear in the morning sky at 13.5 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  14 56.80   -8  1.6   3.283   2.530    35   11.8  19:05 ( 74,  8)  
Oct. 10  15  6.30  -10  3.0   3.401   2.595    30   12.0  18:55 ( 74,  5)  

* C/2020 Q1 ( Borisov )

Now it is 12.5-13.0 mag (Sept. 19, Michael Jager). It is very bright as 11.3 mag visually (Sept. 12, Carlos Labordena). It stays observable in excellent condition in the Northern Hemipshere. It becomes observable in low sky from October to November also in the Southern Hemipshere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  21 17.16   56 18.2   0.780   1.502   114   12.7  20:22 (180, 70)  
Oct. 10  20 26.14   43 42.6   0.900   1.553   109   13.2  19:07 (180, 82)  

* C/2020 K8 ( Catalina-ATLAS )

It brightened up to 14.2 mag in August (Aug. 18, Alan Hale). It approached to Sun down to 0.47 a.u. in September, and it was expected to brighten up to 11 mag. But actually, it was fainter than predicted. It is not observable after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  11 27.31   -4 48.9   1.535   0.652    17   13.1   4:32 (273, -4)  
Oct. 10  11 57.05   -5 40.0   1.674   0.768    16   14.0   4:38 (274, -4)  

* C/2019 N1 ( ATLAS )

It brightened up to 13.5 mag in summer (July 31, Ken-ichi Kadota). Now it is not observable. It is expected to brighten up to 12 mag from autumn to winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear in the morning sky in December, then it stays observable in good condition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be observable in the extremely low sky only from November to December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  13  0.16    8 48.6   2.830   1.875    14   13.2  19:05 (105, -6)  
Oct. 10  13  6.60    5 27.4   2.804   1.839    12   13.1  18:55 (104,-10)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is 14.1 mag (Sept. 22, S. Shurpakov).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   2 47.74   27 34.3   5.018   5.828   140   13.2   2:01 (  0, 83)  
Oct. 10   2 45.06   27 31.4   4.959   5.829   147   13.2   1:31 (  0, 83)  

* 246P/NEAT

Now it is 15.3 mag (Sept. 12, SONEAR Observatory, Oliveira). It stays 13-14 mag from 2020 to 2021. It is not observable until January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  14 22.28   -6 33.5   3.828   2.965    26   14.4  19:05 ( 80,  2)  
Oct. 10  14 32.42   -7 45.9   3.855   2.956    22   14.4  18:55 ( 81,  0)  

* C/2017 K2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 15.0 mag (Sept. 20, Hiroshi Abe). It is expected to be observable at 5-6 mag for a long time from 2022 to 2023. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable at the high light from 2022 summer to 2023 summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is only visible in the extremely low sky in summer in 2020. But it will be observable in good condition at the high light.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  17  7.16   42 24.2   8.303   8.127    76   14.7  19:05 (116, 57)  
Oct. 10  17  9.07   41 30.4   8.293   8.074    73   14.7  18:55 (114, 54)  

* C/2019 F1 ( ATLAS-Africano )

Now it is 16.1 mag (Sept. 3, Blue Mountains Observatory, Leura). It will brighten up to 13 mag in 2021. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable at 15 mag until October. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until July in 2022.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  14 28.03  -31 33.7   5.039   4.296    38   14.8  19:05 ( 59,-11)  
Oct. 10  14 34.51  -32 32.1   5.058   4.263    33   14.8  18:55 ( 60,-14)  

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is 14.2 mag (Sept. 15, Thomas Lehmann). It stays 14 mag until autumn. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  14 33.02   68  0.2   4.539   4.384    74   14.8  19:05 (153, 36)  
Oct. 10  14 44.37   66 33.2   4.572   4.428    75   14.9  18:55 (151, 35)  

* C/2019 L3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 15 mag (Sept. 11, Giuseppe Pappa). It will brighten up to 12 mag in winter in 2022. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until 2021 November.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   0 27.14   65 51.3   4.846   5.390   118   14.9  23:36 (180, 59)  
Oct. 10   0 20.56   65 48.9   4.772   5.347   120   14.9  23:02 (180, 59)  

* P/2020 P2 ( Boattini )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 13 mag in 2009. Now it is 15.9 mag (Sept. 21, Michael Jager). It is expected to brighten up to 12 mag and to be observable in excellent condition in winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   3 40.63   -4 52.7   0.749   1.609   133   15.5   2:53 (  0, 50)  
Oct. 10   3 49.32   -6 20.3   0.685   1.567   136   15.1   2:34 (  0, 49)  

* C/2019 U6 ( Lemmon )

It brightened up to 6.0 mag in June (June 13, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 13.0 mag (Sept. 21, Seiichi Yoshida). It stays observable in good condition for a long time after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  16 29.90   23  1.7   2.199   1.958    62   15.1  19:05 ( 89, 44)  
Oct. 10  16 45.58   23  1.8   2.314   2.047    62   15.6  18:55 ( 89, 44)  

* C/2020 F5 ( MASTER )

Now it is 15.0 mag (Aug. 28, Chris Wyatt). It stays 14-15 mag until 2021. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until June in 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  17 20.98  -71 39.3   4.613   4.553    80   15.2  19:05 ( 12,-20)  
Oct. 10  17 38.77  -70 37.0   4.656   4.536    76   15.2  18:55 ( 12,-19)  

* C/2020 J1 ( SONEAR )

Now it is 15.4 mag (Sept. 21, Slooh.com Chile Observatory, La Dehesa). It will brighten up to 13.5 mag in spring in 2021. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until spring in 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  17 16.55  -53 40.6   3.957   3.824    75   15.3  19:05 ( 22, -5)  
Oct. 10  17 14.50  -52 14.4   4.044   3.794    68   15.3  18:55 ( 25, -5)  

* 84P/Giclas

Now it is 15.5 mag (Sept. 19, M. Jaeger, E. Prosperi, S. Prosperi). It stays 15.5 mag from summer to winter, and observable in good condition. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   7 49.27   18 24.7   2.076   2.044    74   15.3   4:32 (287, 53)  
Oct. 10   8  0.23   18  8.5   2.032   2.077    78   15.3   4:38 (293, 57)  

* C/2018 U1 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 15.3 mag (Sept. 9, M. Jaeger, E. Prosperi, S. Prosperi). It will stay at 14 mag for a long time from 2021 to 2022. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition while brightening gradually. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays locating low for a long time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  17 27.89   16 38.0   6.011   5.829    74   15.6  19:05 ( 70, 53)  
Oct. 10  17 28.57   15 21.5   6.076   5.802    69   15.6  18:55 ( 72, 48)  

* C/2020 S3 ( Erasmus )

Now it is 15.0-15.5 mag (Sept. 19, Michael Jager). It will approach to Sun down to 0.4 a.u. on Dec. 13, and it is expected to brighten up to 9.5 mag. It stays observable while the comet is brightening until late November when it brightens up to 10 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   8 24.61    5 14.4   1.748   1.581    63   16.2   4:32 (294, 38)  
Oct. 10   8 47.77    2 53.1   1.589   1.463    64   15.7   4:38 (298, 38)  

* C/2020 H4 ( Leonard )

It was expected to brighten very rapidly, and brighten up to 14.5 mag from August to September. However, its current brightness is very uncertain. It could not be detected as fainter than 18.0 mag on June 30 (Charles S. Morris), and fainter than 15.7 mag on July 13 (Sandor Szabo). However, Giuseppe Pappa reported as 14 mag on July 10, and Thomas Lehmann reported it is bright as 15.2 mag on July 12. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until late October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  10 49.49   18 11.8   1.788   1.117    34   15.7   4:32 (259, 16)  
Oct. 10  10 50.31   13 44.6   1.789   1.185    38   16.0   4:38 (267, 20)  

* C/2018 F4 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened up to 13.5 mag in winter (Dec. 6, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading slowly. Now it is 14.6 mag (Sept. 20, Katsumi Yoshimoto). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time. It locates somewhat low in the Northern Hemisphere. Taras Prystavski found its fragmentation on Sept. 12.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   2 36.61  -38  5.2   3.701   4.407   129   15.8   1:50 (  0, 17)  
Oct. 10   2 26.95  -37 54.8   3.722   4.445   131   15.9   1:13 (  0, 17)  

* C/2019 K7 ( Smith )

Now it is 15.7 mag (Sept. 11, Thomas Lehmann). It stays 15-16 mag for a long time until 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  18 26.70   19 22.2   4.467   4.560    88   15.8  19:05 ( 57, 65)  
Oct. 10  18 25.48   19 11.8   4.574   4.572    83   15.9  18:55 ( 63, 62)  

* C/2019 T2 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 15.1 mag (Sept. 22, S. Shurpakov). It will brighten up to 14.5 mag from spring to summer in 2021. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable in good condition in 2020, however, it will be unobservable in 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  21 40.84  -19 19.5   2.624   3.365   130   15.9  20:50 (  0, 36)  
Oct. 10  21 33.16  -21 28.2   2.689   3.323   121   15.9  20:15 (  0, 33)  

* 162P/Siding Spring

Now it is 15.3 mag (Aug. 28, Chris Wyatt). It brightens up to 16 mag from summer to winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable in excellent condition. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until late October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  20 48.76  -57 42.4   0.894   1.489   103   15.9  20:00 (  0, -2)  
Oct. 10  20 55.70  -53 48.0   0.885   1.452   100   15.9  19:39 (  0,  2)  

* 17P/Holmes

Now it is 17.2 mag (Aug. 17, P. Camilleri, H. Williams). It brightens up to 15 mag in winter. But it is not observable at high light. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition until autumn when the comet will brighten up to 16 mag. It stays locating very low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  18 28.56  -32 10.0   2.179   2.337    86   16.1  19:05 ( 19, 20)  
Oct. 10  18 38.46  -31  2.2   2.240   2.314    81   16.0  18:55 ( 21, 21)  

* 156P/Russell-LINEAR

Now it is 15.7 mag (Sept. 23, ATLAS-MLO, Mauna Loa). It is observable at 16 mag in excellent condition from October to November.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  23 45.42  -33  1.6   0.511   1.435   141   16.1  22:54 (  0, 22)  
Oct. 10  23 38.78  -29 45.5   0.494   1.407   138   16.0  22:20 (  0, 26)  

* C/2019 T4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Apr. 24, J. Drummond). It is expected to brighten up to 13 mag in 2022. In 2020, it is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable from autumn to winter, but it locating extremely low.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   8 15.65  -31  5.5   6.805   6.477    66   16.3   4:32 (323, 12)  
Oct. 10   8 19.43  -31 52.4   6.708   6.438    70   16.2   4:38 (328, 15)  

* C/2017 U7 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Sept. 16, J. Drummond). It is observable at 15-16 mag in 2020. 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)  
Oct.  3  17 59.79  -24 51.8   7.031   6.928    79   16.2  19:05 ( 28, 24)  
Oct. 10  17 59.21  -24 32.2   7.172   6.946    72   16.3  18:55 ( 33, 23)  

* 115P/Maury

Now it is 15.8 mag (Sept. 5, Thomas Lehmann). It stays observable until December when it becomes fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  19 49.46  -12 36.3   1.615   2.132   106   16.5  19:05 (  1, 42)  
Oct. 10  19 59.50  -13  5.4   1.701   2.148   102   16.6  18:55 (  4, 42)  

* C/2019 T3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 16.5 mag (Sept. 11, Giuseppe Pappa). It is observable at 16.5-17 mag from 2020 to 2021. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until summer in 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  22 57.75   71 41.6   5.617   6.040   110   16.6  22:06 (180, 53)  
Oct. 10  22 42.87   70 18.6   5.578   6.032   112   16.5  21:24 (180, 55)  

* 304P/Ory

Now it is 15.0-15.5 mag (Sept. 19, Michael Jager). It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in November. It is observable in good condition 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)  
Oct.  3   8  6.07   21  7.0   1.357   1.396    70   16.6   4:32 (280, 51)  
Oct. 10   8 24.04   20 25.1   1.350   1.432    73   16.8   4:38 (284, 54)  

* C/2017 B3 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 13.8 mag in autumn in 2019 (Sept. 3, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading slowly. Now it is 15.2 mag (Sept. 22, S. Shurpakov). In 2020, it stays observable in good condition while the comet will be fading from 16 to 17 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   0  4.05    1 49.6   5.376   6.367   171   16.7  23:13 (  0, 57)  
Oct. 10   0  0.03    1 52.6   5.444   6.409   163   16.7  22:42 (  0, 57)  

* 58P/Jackson-Neujmin

Recovered from SWAN images after 24-year blank. It brightened up to 10.2 mag in spring (May 31, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading very rapidly. It has already faded down to 18.0 mag (Sept. 12, M. Jaeger, E. Prosperi, S. Prosperi).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   7  8.78    8 26.3   1.859   1.996    82   16.7   4:32 (310, 54)  
Oct. 10   7 16.08    7 43.0   1.832   2.047    87   17.0   4:38 (320, 57)  

* (6478) Gault

Now it is 17.5 mag (Aug. 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). Main-belt asteroid. But it showed a straight tail like a comet in 2019. In 2020, it brightens up to 16.5 mag and stays observable in good condition from September to October.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   0 14.23   -0 30.0   1.296   2.292   172   16.7  23:23 (  0, 54)  
Oct. 10   0  9.08   -2 26.2   1.331   2.308   163   16.9  22:51 (  0, 53)  

* 257P/Catalina

Now it is 16.8 mag (Sept. 14, Thomas Lehmann). It stays 16.5 mag until October, and observable in good condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  20 28.02    5 28.4   1.489   2.149   118   16.7  19:39 (  0, 60)  
Oct. 10  20 35.15    4  6.9   1.551   2.154   113   16.8  19:18 (  0, 59)  

* C/2017 Y2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.6 mag (Sept. 19, D. Buczynski). It is observable at 16.5-17 mag from spring in 2020 to summer in 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  17 16.19    3 26.6   4.881   4.639    70   16.9  19:05 ( 58, 42)  
Oct. 10  17 15.99    2 11.2   4.988   4.637    63   17.0  18:55 ( 61, 38)  

* (3200) Phaethon

Now it is 18.6 mag (Aug. 6, Palomar Mountain--ZTF). It will approach to Sun down to 0.14 a.u. on Dec. 7, and will brighten up to 11 mag. But it is not observable at the high light. It is observable until November when it brightens up to 16 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   8  0.11   26  0.9   1.292   1.386    73   17.2   4:32 (273, 55)  
Oct. 10   8 25.04   24 12.6   1.143   1.296    74   17.0   4:38 (278, 55)  

* P/2020 M2 ( Lemmon )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 17.5 mag in 2012. Now it is 17.5 mag (Aug. 15, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable at 17 mag in good condition from summer to winter. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   5 13.26   33 37.1   1.873   2.400   109   17.1   4:26 (  0, 89)  
Oct. 10   5 17.13   34 27.5   1.814   2.416   115   17.0   4:02 (  0, 89)  

* C/2019 O3 ( Palomar )

Now it is 16.6 mag (Sept. 19, M. Jaeger, E. Prosperi, S. Prosperi). It stays at 17 mag from 2020 to 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  18 55.95   30 41.9   8.702   8.866    96   17.1  19:05 ( 75, 77)  
Oct. 10  18 55.52   30 25.4   8.772   8.862    91   17.1  18:55 ( 80, 73)  

* C/2020 N1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 17.4 mag (Sept. 18, E. Bryssinck). It will brighten up to 13.5 mag from winter to spring in 2021. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays extremely low until 2021 spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   0  4.77   50 46.6   1.791   2.577   132   17.4  23:14 (180, 74)  
Oct. 10  23 55.71   50 48.6   1.707   2.503   133   17.1  22:37 (180, 74)  

* 28P/Neujmin 1

Now it is 17.4 mag (Sept. 16, Blue Mountains Observatory, Leura). It will brighten up to 15.5 mag in early 2021. In 2020, it stays observable at 17 mag until November in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays unobservable until 2021 June.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  15 28.67  -30 54.6   2.947   2.405    48   17.4  19:05 ( 52, -1)  
Oct. 10  15 42.22  -31 19.4   2.953   2.351    44   17.3  18:55 ( 52, -2)  

* 11P/Tempel-Swift-LINEAR

Now it is 17.6 mag (Sept. 21, A. Diepvens). It will approach to Earth down to 0.5 a.u. in November, and brighten up to 17 mag. It is observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  23 30.47   31  5.9   0.563   1.510   148   17.5  22:40 (  0, 86)  
Oct. 10  23 31.51   29 43.0   0.536   1.483   148   17.4  22:14 (  0, 85)  

* 2P/Encke

It passed the perihelion on June 25, and brightened up to 7.3 mag (June 30, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 15.7 mag (Sept. 7, Blue Mountains Observatory, Leura). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition in the evening sky while the comet will be fading. It locates very low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  17 53.44  -30 11.4   1.696   1.792    78   17.4  19:05 ( 27, 19)  
Oct. 10  18 10.68  -29 35.8   1.853   1.873    75   17.9  18:55 ( 28, 19)  

* C/2018 A6 ( Gibbs )

It brightened up to 13.2 mag from spring to autumn in 2019 (June 30, Thomas Lehmann). Now it is fading slowly. It has already faded down to 16.2 mag (Sept. 11, Giuseppe Pappa). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays low for a long time.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  22 30.92  -28 27.9   4.022   4.789   135   17.4  21:40 (  0, 27)  
Oct. 10  22 25.25  -27 42.9   4.141   4.830   128   17.5  21:07 (  0, 27)  

* 173P/Mueller 5

Now it is 17.6 mag (Sept. 20, A. Diepvens). It is observable at 17-18 mag for a long time from late 2019 to early 2021. It will fade out before it passes the perihelion.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   5 59.85   16 26.3   4.316   4.596    99   17.5   4:32 (331, 69)  
Oct. 10   6  1.51   16 28.8   4.202   4.585   106   17.5   4:38 (353, 71)  

* C/2016 M1 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened up to 7.7 mag in June in 2018 (June 19, Juan Jose Gonzalez). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 18.7 mag (Sept. 20, ATLAS-MLO, Mauna Loa). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time. It will be observable in good condition after this also in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   6 39.92  -11 52.0   7.708   7.744    88   17.5   4:32 (334, 39)  
Oct. 10   6 39.36  -12  7.7   7.660   7.796    94   17.5   4:38 (345, 42)  

* C/2020 R4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 18.1 mag (Sept. 20, Katsumi Yoshimoto). It will approach to Earth down to 0.46 a.u. in 2021 April, and it is expected to brighten up to 12.5 mag and to be observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   1 42.73  -11 22.0   1.515   2.469   157   17.8   0:57 (  0, 44)  
Oct. 10   1 15.02  -14 18.5   1.428   2.387   158   17.6   0:02 (  0, 41)  

* 254P/McNaught

Now it is 17.9 mag (Sept. 23, ATLAS-MLO, Mauna Loa). It stays 17.5 mag until November. It is observable in excellent condition in the Southern Hemisphere. It locates very low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  23  6.17  -35 55.9   2.350   3.137   134   17.6  22:16 (  0, 19)  
Oct. 10  23  3.83  -36 15.2   2.412   3.137   128   17.6  21:46 (  0, 19)  

* 141P/Machholz 2

It will brighten very rapidly, and will brighten up to 11 mag from December to January. It stays observable for a long time. In the Southern Hemipshere, it locates low until the high light.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  17 25.46   -9 55.5   1.313   1.380    71   18.0  19:05 ( 45, 33)  
Oct. 10  17 37.00  -10 11.4   1.295   1.305    67   17.6  18:55 ( 46, 32)  

* 215P/NEAT

Now it is 17.2 mag (Sept. 13, E. Bryssinck). It was observed at 17 mag in 2019. In 2020, it is observable at 17.5 mag in good condition from summer to autumn.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   0 40.87   -7 30.0   2.800   3.785   168   17.7  23:50 (  0, 48)  
Oct. 10   0 36.42   -7 43.9   2.822   3.793   164   17.7  23:18 (  0, 47)  

* C/2020 P4 ( SOHO )

New comet discovered in the images of SOHO spacecraft. It approached to Sun down to 0.09 a.u. on Aug. 8, and it brightened up to 3 mag. It will appear in the morning sky in October. But it must be fainter than 18 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  10 48.06   -1 36.7   2.346   1.526    27   17.7   4:32 (276,  5)  
Oct. 10  10 56.13   -2 36.1   2.424   1.659    31   18.1   4:38 (280, 10)  

* 278P/McNaught

Now it is 17.3 mag (Sept. 16, Blue Mountains Observatory, Leura). It became brighter than orignally predicted. It will be fading after this, and will be fainter than 18 mag in October. It locates extremely low in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  15 46.49  -24 58.2   2.588   2.093    50   17.7  19:05 ( 53,  6)  
Oct. 10  16  3.14  -25 46.0   2.646   2.098    47   17.8  18:55 ( 53,  5)  

* C/2019 E3 ( ATLAS )

It stays observable at 17 mag for a long time until 2027. In the Southern Hemipshere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. It is not observable in the Northern Hemipsphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  10  2.14  -46 31.1  12.499  11.940    54   17.8   4:32 (318,-13)  
Oct. 10  10  3.80  -47  7.0  12.459  11.922    55   17.7   4:38 (322,-10)  

* 178P/Hug-Bell

Now it is 17.4 mag (Sept. 5, ATLAS-MLO, Mauna Loa). It stays observable at 17.5-18 mag in good condition until winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3   7  6.94   17  1.3   1.839   1.999    83   17.8   4:32 (300, 60)  
Oct. 10   7 17.72   17  2.5   1.786   2.019    88   17.8   4:38 (308, 64)  

* C/2020 O2 ( Amaral )

Now it is 17.7 mag (Sept. 14, Slooh.com Chile Observatory, La Dehesa). It will brighten up to 16.5 mag in 2021 summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a while. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until 2021 February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  15 13.05  -43 48.7   6.053   5.504    52   17.8  19:05 ( 44,-11)  
Oct. 10  15 20.05  -43 13.2   6.105   5.480    47   17.8  18:55 ( 45,-13)  

* C/2020 M5 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Sept. 12, D. Buczynski). It stays 15-16 mag for a long time from 2021 spring to 2022 spring. It stays observable for a long time in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemipsphere, it is not observable until the end of 2021.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct.  3  19 52.78   52 48.0   3.933   4.296   104   18.0  19:05 (179, 72)  
Oct. 10  19 44.31   51 41.4   3.934   4.251   101   17.9  18:55 (165, 73)  

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