Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2020 Oct. 10: North)

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 Updated on October 10, 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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* C/2020 M3 ( ATLAS )

It brightened rapidly. Now it is very bright as 8.3 mag (Oct. 9, Michael Mattiazzo). It stays observable at 8 mag in excellent condition from October to November. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 10   4 42.19  -28 35.2   0.484   1.289   116    8.6   3:27 (  0, 26)  
Oct. 17   4 55.81  -24 35.0   0.446   1.275   119    8.3   3:13 (  0, 30)

* C/2020 P1 ( NEOWISE )

Now it is very bright as 10.0 mag (Oct. 2, Michael Mattiazzo). Although it is a tiny comet, it will approach to Sun down to 0.34 a.u. on Oct. 20, and brighten up to 8.5 mag. However, it is not observable now. 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. 10  12 33.45  -26 55.1   0.667   0.450    21    9.6   4:38 (288,-23)  
Oct. 17  12 41.74   -9 32.9   0.683   0.355    11    8.7   4:43 (276, -9)

* 88P/Howell

Now it is 9.1 mag (Oct. 3, Marco Goiato). 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. 10  17 21.36  -26 55.3   1.448   1.361    64    8.8  18:55 ( 39, 16)  
Oct. 17  17 49.05  -27 16.4   1.480   1.372    63    8.8  18:46 ( 37, 17)

* 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. 10  15 14.70  -14  1.3   2.847   2.087    33   11.5  18:55 ( 69,  4)  
Oct. 17  15 22.14  -15 12.5   3.019   2.195    28   11.8  18:46 ( 70,  1)

* 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. 10  15  6.29  -10  2.9   3.401   2.595    30   12.0  18:55 ( 74,  5)  
Oct. 17  15 15.74  -11 55.8   3.514   2.660    26   12.2  18:46 ( 74,  2)

* C/2020 S3 ( Erasmus )

Now it is very bright as 12.5 mag (Oct. 8, Michael Jager). It will approach to Sun down to 0.4 a.u. on Dec. 13, and it is expected to brighten up to 6.5 mag. It stays observable while the comet is brightening until late November when it brightens up to 7-8 mag. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 10   8 47.80    2 53.0   1.599   1.471    64   12.7   4:38 (298, 38)  
Oct. 17   9 14.40    0  2.4   1.450   1.349    63   12.1   4:43 (302, 38)

* 156P/Russell-LINEAR

Brightened rapidly. Now it is very bright as 12.8 mag (Oct. 6, Taras Prystavski). It is observable at 12-13 mag in excellent condition from October to November. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 10  23 38.78  -29 45.5   0.494   1.407   138   13.4  22:20 (  0, 26)  
Oct. 17  23 33.97  -25 40.1   0.484   1.384   135   12.9  21:48 (  0, 30)

* 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. 10  13  6.60    5 27.4   2.804   1.839    12   13.1  18:55 (104,-10)  
Oct. 17  13 13.13    2  4.7   2.771   1.807    11   13.0   4:43 (261, -8)

* 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. 10  20 26.15   43 42.7   0.897   1.551   109   13.2  19:07 (180, 82)  
Oct. 17  20  3.89   33 51.0   1.061   1.605   102   13.7  18:46 ( 77, 84)

* 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. 10   2 45.07   27 31.4   4.959   5.829   147   13.2   1:31 (  0, 83)  
Oct. 17   2 42.01   27 25.1   4.913   5.831   154   13.2   1:00 (  0, 83)

* 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. 10  11 57.03   -5 40.1   1.674   0.768    16   14.0   4:38 (274, -4)  
Oct. 17  12 23.12   -6 19.7   1.801   0.890    16   14.8   4:43 (276, -3)

* 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. 10  14 32.42   -7 45.9   3.855   2.956    22   14.4  18:55 ( 81,  0)  
Oct. 17  14 42.81   -8 56.6   3.876   2.947    18   14.4  18:46 ( 81, -3)

* 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. 10  17  9.07   41 30.4   8.293   8.074    73   14.7  18:55 (114, 54)  
Oct. 17  17 11.39   40 38.7   8.281   8.021    71   14.6  18:46 (113, 51)

* 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. 10   3 49.32   -6 20.3   0.685   1.567   136   15.1   2:34 (  0, 49)  
Oct. 17   3 57.10   -7 53.0   0.628   1.528   139   14.7   2:15 (  0, 47)

* 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. 10  14 34.51  -32 32.1   5.058   4.263    33   14.8  18:55 ( 60,-14)  
Oct. 17  14 41.41  -33 32.8   5.068   4.230    29   14.8  18:46 ( 60,-17)

* 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. 10   0 20.56   65 48.9   4.772   5.347   120   14.9  23:02 (180, 59)  
Oct. 17   0 14.16   65 36.4   4.706   5.304   122   14.8  22:28 (180, 59)

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is 14.3 mag (Sept. 29, 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. 10  14 44.33   66 33.2   4.572   4.428    75   14.9  18:55 (151, 35)  
Oct. 17  14 55.07   65 13.8   4.604   4.472    76   14.9  18:46 (150, 34)

* C/2020 F5 ( MASTER )

Now it is 15.1 mag (Sept. 15, Blue Mountains Observatory, Leura). 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. 10  17 38.77  -70 37.0   4.656   4.536    76   15.2  18:55 ( 12,-19)  
Oct. 17  17 56.36  -69 32.6   4.701   4.519    73   15.2  18:46 ( 13,-18)

* 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. 10  17 14.50  -52 14.4   4.044   3.794    68   15.3  18:55 ( 25, -5)  
Oct. 17  17 13.76  -50 55.1   4.127   3.764    62   15.3  18:46 ( 29, -6)

* 84P/Giclas

Now it is 15.5 mag (Sept. 19, M. Jaeger, E. Prosperi, S. Prosperi). It stays 15.5 mag until 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. 10   8  0.23   18  8.5   2.032   2.077    78   15.3   4:38 (293, 57)  
Oct. 17   8 10.15   17 53.6   1.986   2.111    82   15.4   4:43 (300, 61)

* 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 14.5 mag (Oct. 4, Michael Jager). 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. 10  16 45.58   23  1.8   2.314   2.047    62   15.6  18:55 ( 89, 44)  
Oct. 17  17  0.86   23  2.4   2.428   2.135    61   16.0  18:46 ( 90, 43)

* 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. 10  17 28.57   15 21.5   6.076   5.802    69   15.6  18:55 ( 72, 48)  
Oct. 17  17 29.73   14  8.2   6.138   5.776    64   15.6  18:46 ( 74, 44)

* 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. 10   2 26.96  -37 54.7   3.722   4.445   131   15.9   1:13 (  0, 17)  
Oct. 17   2 17.11  -37 32.8   3.757   4.484   131   16.0   0:36 (  0, 18)

* 162P/Siding Spring

Now it is 15.3 mag (Aug. 28, Chris Wyatt). It stays 16 mag until winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable in excellent condition. It will be getting higher graually after this also in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 10  20 55.70  -53 48.0   0.885   1.452   100   15.9  19:39 (  0,  2)  
Oct. 17  21  4.94  -49 29.8   0.878   1.418    98   15.9  19:21 (  0,  6)

* 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. 10  21 33.16  -21 28.2   2.689   3.323   121   15.9  20:15 (  0, 33)  
Oct. 17  21 26.68  -23 23.4   2.766   3.281   112   15.9  19:41 (  0, 32)

* C/2019 K7 ( Smith )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Sept. 20, 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. 10  18 25.48   19 11.8   4.574   4.572    83   15.9  18:55 ( 63, 62)  
Oct. 17  18 25.05   19  3.5   4.679   4.584    78   16.0  18:46 ( 69, 58)

* 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. 10  18 38.48  -31  1.9   2.240   2.314    81   16.0  18:55 ( 21, 21)  
Oct. 17  18 49.16  -29 53.7   2.300   2.292    77   15.9  18:46 ( 23, 21)

* 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. 10  10 50.31   13 44.6   1.789   1.185    38   16.0   4:38 (267, 20)  
Oct. 17  10 50.69    9 19.7   1.781   1.258    43   16.3   4:43 (276, 25)

* 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. 10   8 19.43  -31 52.4   6.708   6.438    70   16.2   4:38 (328, 15)  
Oct. 17   8 22.83  -32 40.9   6.609   6.399    73   16.2   4:43 (335, 17)

* 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. 10  17 59.21  -24 32.2   7.172   6.946    72   16.3  18:55 ( 33, 23)  
Oct. 17  17 59.14  -24 13.4   7.309   6.964    66   16.4  18:46 ( 37, 21)

* 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. 10  22 42.87   70 18.6   5.578   6.032   112   16.5  21:24 (180, 55)  
Oct. 17  22 30.75   68 44.1   5.550   6.024   113   16.5  20:44 (180, 56)

* 115P/Maury

It brightened up to 14.6 mag in summer (July 18, Thomas Lehmann). Now it is 15.2 mag (Sept. 20, 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. 10  19 59.50  -13  5.4   1.701   2.148   102   16.6  18:55 (  4, 42)  
Oct. 17  20 10.25  -13 25.9   1.790   2.166    97   16.8  18:46 (  7, 41)

* (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. 10   8 25.04   24 12.6   1.143   1.296    74   17.0   4:38 (278, 55)  
Oct. 17   8 54.40   21 39.0   1.000   1.200    73   16.6   4:43 (282, 55)

* 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. 10   0  0.03    1 52.6   5.444   6.409   163   16.7  22:42 (  0, 57)  
Oct. 17  23 56.29    1 56.2   5.528   6.451   156   16.8  22:11 (  0, 57)

* 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. 10   8 24.04   20 25.1   1.350   1.432    73   16.8   4:38 (284, 54)  
Oct. 17   8 40.45   19 42.0   1.340   1.471    76   17.0   4:43 (288, 57)

* 257P/Catalina

Now it is 16.8 mag (Sept. 20, 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. 10  20 35.15    4  6.9   1.551   2.154   113   16.8  19:18 (  0, 59)  
Oct. 17  20 43.37    2 54.2   1.619   2.161   109   16.9  18:59 (  0, 58)

* 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. 10  23 55.71   50 48.5   1.707   2.503   133   17.1  22:37 (180, 74)  
Oct. 17  23 46.67   50 28.8   1.631   2.429   133   16.9  22:01 (180, 74)

* (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. 10   0  9.02   -2 26.8   1.332   2.308   163   17.0  22:51 (  0, 53)  
Oct. 17   0  4.67   -4 10.8   1.380   2.323   155   17.2  22:19 (  0, 51)

* 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. 10  17 15.99    2 11.2   4.988   4.637    63   17.0  18:55 ( 61, 38)  
Oct. 17  17 16.38    1  0.1   5.089   4.634    57   17.0  18:46 ( 64, 33)

* 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. 10   7 16.06    7 42.8   1.832   2.047    87   17.0   4:38 (320, 57)  
Oct. 17   7 21.94    7  0.7   1.802   2.099    92   17.3   4:43 (332, 59)

* 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. 10   5 17.13   34 27.5   1.814   2.416   115   17.0   4:02 (  0, 89)  
Oct. 17   5 19.41   35 16.7   1.759   2.432   121   17.0   3:37 (180, 90)

* 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. 10  17 37.00  -10 11.4   1.295   1.305    67   17.6  18:55 ( 46, 32)  
Oct. 17  17 50.30  -10 25.0   1.270   1.231    64   17.0  18:46 ( 47, 31)

* 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. 10  18 55.52   30 25.4   8.772   8.862    91   17.1  18:55 ( 80, 73)  
Oct. 17  18 55.53   30  9.8   8.842   8.858    87   17.1  18:46 ( 83, 69)

* 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. 10  23 31.51   29 43.0   0.536   1.483   148   17.4  22:14 (  0, 85)  
Oct. 17  23 34.54   27 48.1   0.516   1.458   147   17.2  21:49 (  0, 83)

* 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. 10   1 15.01  -14 18.6   1.429   2.387   158   17.6   0:02 (  0, 41)  
Oct. 17   0 43.62  -17  6.2   1.380   2.305   151   17.3  22:55 (  0, 38)

* 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. 10   6  1.51   16 28.8   4.202   4.585   106   17.5   4:38 (353, 71)  
Oct. 17   6  2.44   16 31.8   4.091   4.574   113   17.5   4:20 (  0, 72)

* 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. 10   6 39.36  -12  7.6   7.660   7.796    94   17.5   4:38 (345, 42)  
Oct. 17   6 38.34  -12 22.7   7.613   7.848    99   17.6   4:43 (356, 43)

* 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. 10  22 25.25  -27 42.9   4.141   4.830   128   17.5  21:07 (  0, 27)  
Oct. 17  22 20.53  -26 54.5   4.270   4.871   121   17.7  20:35 (  0, 28)

* 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. 10  23  3.83  -36 15.2   2.412   3.137   128   17.6  21:46 (  0, 19)  
Oct. 17  23  2.39  -36 21.6   2.483   3.138   122   17.6  21:17 (  0, 19)

* 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. 10   0 36.41   -7 43.9   2.821   3.792   164   17.7  23:18 (  0, 47)  
Oct. 17   0 32.18   -7 53.2   2.858   3.800   157   17.8  22:46 (  0, 47)

* 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. 10  10  3.80  -47  7.0  12.459  11.922    55   17.7   4:38 (322,-10)  
Oct. 17  10  5.23  -47 44.9  12.411  11.904    57   17.7   4:43 (326, -6)

* 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. 10   7 17.72   17  2.5   1.786   2.019    88   17.8   4:38 (308, 64)  
Oct. 17   7 27.42   17  5.0   1.732   2.041    92   17.8   4:43 (319, 67)

* 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. 10  19 44.31   51 41.6   3.934   4.251   101   17.9  18:55 (165, 73)  
Oct. 17  19 37.55   50 32.3   3.940   4.206    98   17.8  18:46 (152, 72)

* C/2019 NJ3 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 16.5 mag (Sept. 16, J. Drummond). In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable at 18 mg until winter. It is not observable in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Oct. 10  19 49.72  -86 45.1   4.352   4.363    84   17.9  18:55 (  0,-32)  
Oct. 17  19 17.12  -86 15.9   4.412   4.362    80   17.9  18:46 (  1,-31)

* 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 16.9 mag (Sept. 12, J. Drummond). 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. 10  18 10.68  -29 35.8   1.853   1.873    75   17.9  18:55 ( 28, 19)  
Oct. 17  18 26.60  -28 58.8   2.011   1.951    72   18.4  18:46 ( 28, 20)

* 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. 10  10 56.13   -2 36.1   2.424   1.659    31   18.1   4:38 (280, 10)  
Oct. 17  11  3.21   -3 30.9   2.487   1.786    36   18.5   4:43 (285, 15)

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