Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2020 Dec. 19: North)

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Updated on December 16, 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 S3 ( Erasmus )

It brightened up to 5.6 mag in early December (Dec. 9, Marco Goiato). Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky again in April. But then it will be fainter than 15 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  17 19.18  -20 44.1   1.392   0.434     7    6.1   5:32 (288,-11)  
Dec. 26  18 13.96  -18  6.5   1.503   0.532     5    7.1   5:35 (282,-14)  

* C/2020 M3 ( ATLAS )

It brightened up to 7.3 mag in November (Nov. 7, Marco Goiato). Now it is fading. But it is bright as 9.7 mag still now (Dec. 12, Mitsunori Tsumura). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays locating extremely low after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   5 16.36   40 13.2   0.532   1.498   161    9.2  23:23 (180, 84)  
Dec. 26   5 14.29   43 29.3   0.603   1.553   155    9.7  22:53 (180, 81)  

* 88P/Howell

It brightened up to 8.2 mag in autumn (Oct. 13, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading. But it is bright as 10.0 mag still now (Dec. 9, Chris Wyatt). It stays observable in the evening low sky while it will be getting fainter gradually, until early January in the Southern Hemisphere, or late February in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  21 37.41  -17 37.8   2.000   1.624    53   10.9  18:22 ( 42, 26)  
Dec. 26  21 57.91  -15 44.1   2.082   1.664    51   11.2  18:25 ( 45, 26)  

* 156P/Russell-LINEAR

Brightened rapidly. Now it is very bright as 10.5 mag (Dec. 14, Seiichi Yoshida). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be extremely low after January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   0 39.39   19 57.2   0.700   1.381   109   11.1  18:47 (  0, 75)  
Dec. 26   0 56.04   23 37.4   0.754   1.404   107   11.6  18:36 (  0, 79)  

* 141P/Machholz 2

It brightened very rapidly in early December. Now it is very bright as 11.8 mag (Dec. 14, Alan Hale). In addition, Michael Jager observed two more components of 17.5-18.0 mag. It stays observable for a long time in this apparition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  21 26.23   -9  7.6   0.728   0.809    53   11.6  18:22 ( 50, 31)  
Dec. 26  22  5.99   -8 42.7   0.659   0.823    56   11.2  18:25 ( 48, 33)  

* C/2019 N1 ( ATLAS )

Now it is bright as 11.9 mag (Nov. 14, Ken Harikae). It stays 12 mag until March. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition after this. 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)  
Dec. 19  14 15.90  -32 58.2   2.229   1.720    47   11.7   5:32 (324, 11)  
Dec. 26  14 23.54  -37 50.6   2.160   1.734    51   11.7   5:35 (331,  9)  

* 398P/2020 P2 ( Boattini )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 13 mag in 2009. Now it is bright as 12.4 mag (Dec. 14, Seiichi Yoshida). It stays 12 mag until January, and it is observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   4 33.44   -7  2.4   0.376   1.309   144   12.2  22:40 (  0, 48)  
Dec. 26   4 39.32   -3 33.9   0.376   1.306   143   12.2  22:18 (  0, 52)  

* C/2020 R4 ( ATLAS )

Brightened rapidly. Now it is very bright as 12 mag (Dec. 14, Michael Mattiazzo). It will approach to Earth down to 0.46 a.u. in April, and it is expected to brighten up to 9 mag and to be observable in excellent condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  21 28.91  -20 17.0   1.982   1.563    51   12.9  18:22 ( 42, 22)  
Dec. 26  21 21.89  -19 34.5   2.053   1.485    42   12.8  18:25 ( 50, 17)  

* 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

Now it is 13.1 mag (Dec. 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   2 15.81   24 52.5   5.141   5.844   131   13.3  20:22 (  0, 80)  
Dec. 26   2 14.88   24 36.0   5.230   5.846   124   13.3  19:54 (  0, 80)  

* C/2019 L3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 13.2 mag (Dec. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 11 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)  
Dec. 19   0  1.58   58 40.6   4.483   4.930   111   14.1  18:22 (176, 66)  
Dec. 26   0  6.24   57 44.9   4.496   4.890   107   14.0  18:25 (167, 66)  

* C/2017 T2 ( PanSTARRS )

It had been observed as 8-9 mag for a long time in 2020. Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky at 14.5 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  16 36.76  -24 22.6   4.191   3.259    16   14.2   5:32 (296, -5)  
Dec. 26  16 44.93  -25 25.4   4.221   3.326    21   14.3   5:35 (300, -2)  

* C/2017 K2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 14.3 mag (Nov. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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 not observable now. 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)  
Dec. 19  17 44.66   35 27.5   8.001   7.539    58   14.3   5:32 (237, 16)  
Dec. 26  17 49.00   35 14.5   7.943   7.485    59   14.2   5:35 (241, 20)  

* 11P/Tempel-Swift-LINEAR

Brightened very rapidly. Now it is very bright as 12.5 mag (Dec. 7, Michael Jager). It is observable in excellent condition. But it seems to fade out very rapidly after this.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   1 40.55    7 32.5   0.644   1.411   118   14.3  19:48 (  0, 63)  
Dec. 26   1 59.93    6 45.5   0.691   1.427   115   14.6  19:40 (  0, 62)  

* 246P/NEAT

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)  
Dec. 19  16 24.72  -17 42.2   3.789   2.886    20   14.3   5:32 (293,  1)  
Dec. 26  16 36.57  -18 25.4   3.748   2.882    24   14.3   5:35 (296,  4)  

* C/2019 F1 ( ATLAS-Africano )

Now it is 14.8 mag (May 14, Toshiyuki Takahashi). It will brighten up to 13 mag in 2021. In the Southern Hemisphere, it becomes too low to observe temporarily from mid October to mid December. 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)  
Dec. 19  15 59.89  -44  4.4   4.785   3.967    30   14.4   5:32 (317,-11)  
Dec. 26  16 10.29  -45 23.4   4.716   3.941    34   14.3   5:35 (320, -9)  

* 10P/Tempel 2

It will brighten up to 11.5 mag in spring. However, the condition is very bad in this apparition. It will appear in the morning low sky in March in the Southern Hemisphere, or in June in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  17 11.99  -17 31.8   2.677   1.718    10   15.0   5:32 (286, -8)  
Dec. 26  17 32.42  -18 13.1   2.629   1.680    12   14.6   5:35 (288, -6)  

* (3200) Phaethon

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.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  19  8.31  -14 38.4   1.166   0.429    20   14.8  18:22 ( 70,  3)  
Dec. 26  20  7.02   -9 10.3   1.216   0.603    29   15.6  18:25 ( 70, 12)  

* C/2020 N1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 16.0 mag (Dec. 7, Michael Jager). It will brighten up to 13.5 mag from winter to spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays extremely low until spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  23 47.38   36 41.6   1.282   1.791   103   15.1  18:22 (109, 84)  
Dec. 26  23 59.56   34 56.6   1.268   1.727    99   14.9  18:25 ( 93, 81)  

* C/2020 J1 ( SONEAR )

Now it is 14.9 mag (Oct. 10, Chris Wyatt). It will brighten up to 13.5 mag in spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time, although it becomes unobservable temporarily in December. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until spring.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  17 35.22  -43 20.1   4.447   3.540    20   15.2   5:32 (307,-25)  
Dec. 26  17 38.49  -42 50.6   4.418   3.519    21   15.2   5:35 (309,-21)  

* 17P/Holmes

Now it is 16.1 mag (Nov. 14, Martin Masek). It is observable only until mid December in the Southern Hemisphere, or mid January in the Northern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  20 45.67  -17 56.7   2.768   2.137    41   15.3  18:22 ( 52, 18)  
Dec. 26  20 59.70  -16 19.6   2.808   2.125    38   15.2  18:25 ( 56, 16)  

* C/2020 F5 ( MASTER )

Now it is 15.0 mag (Nov. 15, 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)  
Dec. 19  20 17.61  -58 33.9   5.051   4.397    44   15.2  18:22 ( 28,-16)  
Dec. 26  20 31.09  -57 15.3   5.076   4.387    41   15.2  18:25 ( 30,-16)  

* 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 been already fainter than 15.0 mag (Oct. 12, Mitsunori Tsumura). Now it is not observable. It will appear in the morning sky at 16 mag.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  16 18.52  -22 12.5   3.984   3.083    20   15.3   5:32 (297,  0)  
Dec. 26  16 23.29  -22 44.8   4.023   3.175    26   15.5   5:35 (301,  4)  

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is 14.4 mag (Dec. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time while it is getting fainter slowly. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  16 11.80   59 43.6   4.858   4.880    85   15.4   5:32 (218, 39)  
Dec. 26  16 17.98   59 50.6   4.882   4.926    86   15.5   5:35 (218, 42)  

* C/2018 U1 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 15.9 mag (Nov. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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, although it becomes unobservable temporarily in December. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until February.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  17 54.31    6  4.0   6.390   5.555    29   15.5  18:22 ( 98, -1)  
Dec. 26  17 57.76    5 29.7   6.368   5.532    29   15.4   5:35 (265,  2)  

* C/2019 T4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 15.5 mag (Nov. 12, Martin Masek). 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)  
Dec. 19   8 30.64  -39 30.4   5.699   6.053   106   15.6   2:40 (  0, 15)  
Dec. 26   8 28.67  -39 58.6   5.610   6.015   109   15.5   2:10 (  0, 15)  

* 405P/2020 U1 ( Lemmon )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 17 mag in 2013. Now it is 16.6 mag (Dec. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 16 mag and will be observable in good condition in winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, it locates low until December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  12  7.70   23 22.6   0.466   1.124    94   15.9   5:32 (318, 75)  
Dec. 26  12 33.22   19  5.9   0.470   1.122    94   15.9   5:35 (329, 72)  

* C/2019 T2 ( Lemmon )

Now it is 16.3 mag (Nov. 9, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Dec. 19  21 22.66  -33 14.8   3.519   2.949    47   15.9  18:22 ( 35, 11)  
Dec. 26  21 27.07  -33 54.2   3.570   2.917    42   15.9  18:25 ( 40,  7)  

* 162P/Siding Spring

Now it is 15.7 mag (Dec. 8, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 15-16 mag until winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time after this. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will be getting lower after this, and it will be unobservable in January.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  23 10.11   -1  8.3   1.014   1.296    80   16.1  18:22 ( 26, 51)  
Dec. 26  23 26.29    4  2.8   1.056   1.306    79   16.2  18:25 ( 35, 54)  

* C/2019 T3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 16.4 mag (Nov. 9, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Dec. 19  22  7.97   52 33.8   5.810   5.969    94   16.5  18:22 (138, 62)  
Dec. 26  22 10.69   51  4.7   5.881   5.965    90   16.6  18:25 (132, 58)  

* 409P/2020 V1 ( LONEOS-Hill )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 14-15 mag in 2006. Now it is 17.8 mag (Nov. 23, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is expected to brighten up to 15-16 mag from February to March, and it will be observable in good condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  11 19.05    1 38.2   1.397   1.808    97   16.9   5:28 (  0, 57)  
Dec. 26  11 33.90    1 30.8   1.321   1.791   100   16.6   5:15 (  0, 56)  

* C/2018 F4 ( PanSTARRS )

It brightened up to 13.5 mag in last winter (Dec. 6, 2019, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading slowly. Now it is 17.0 mag (Dec. 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Dec. 19   1 16.59  -27 21.5   4.625   4.847    97   16.6  19:23 (  0, 28)  
Dec. 26   1 14.58  -25 52.6   4.764   4.889    91   16.7  18:54 (  0, 29)  

* C/2017 B3 ( LINEAR )

It brightened up to 13.8 mag in autumn in 2019 (Sept. 3, 2019, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading slowly. It has already faded down to 17.2 mag (Dec. 8, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato).

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  23 42.77    3 41.1   6.756   6.832    90   16.7  18:22 ( 15, 58)  
Dec. 26  23 43.66    4  2.8   6.916   6.874    83   16.7  18:25 ( 29, 56)  

* 84P/Giclas

Now it is 16.9 mag (Dec. 10, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays 16 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)  
Dec. 19   8 39.22   19 15.6   1.603   2.440   140   16.7   2:49 (  0, 74)  
Dec. 26   8 34.89   19 56.1   1.587   2.479   148   16.8   2:17 (  0, 75)  

* 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 15.5 mag (Nov. 18, Thomas Lehmann). In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable for a long time until it fades out. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will never be observable again.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  19  5.11   25 26.1   3.399   2.903    52   16.7  18:22 (105, 24)  
Dec. 26  19 17.51   26  3.3   3.498   2.985    51   16.9  18:25 (108, 21)  

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

Now it is 16.1 mag (Nov. 13, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 13 mag in 2022. In 2021, it is observable at 15-16 mag in good condition.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  13 18.78   -1 10.2   4.187   3.939    68   16.8   5:32 (317, 45)  
Dec. 26  13 24.04   -1 36.5   4.071   3.924    74   16.7   5:35 (325, 48)  

* C/2019 O3 ( Palomar )

Now it is 16.6 mag (Nov. 9, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays at 16-17 mag from 2020 to 2021. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  19 11.24   29 39.2   9.333   8.831    56   16.8  18:22 (109, 27)  
Dec. 26  19 14.12   29 53.1   9.359   8.829    54   16.8  18:25 (112, 22)  

* C/2020 P1 ( NEOWISE )

It approached to Sun down to 0.34 a.u. on Oct. 20. Then the nucleus was disintegrated. After the perihelion passage, it was observed at 12.5 mag (Oct. 28, Michael Jager). Now only the remnant tail is visible. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays 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)  
Dec. 19  15 21.91    6  7.6   1.908   1.419    46   16.9   5:32 (283, 28)  
Dec. 26  15 30.17    5 52.2   1.967   1.542    50   17.3   5:35 (287, 32)  

* C/2019 C1 ( ATLAS )

It brightened up to 16.1 mag in last winter (Mar. 18, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). In 2021, it stays observable at 17 mag in good condition until summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  13  1.04  -19 52.4   7.092   6.753    66   17.0   5:32 (333, 30)  
Dec. 26  13  4.23  -20  4.6   6.998   6.764    72   17.0   5:35 (340, 32)  

* 277P/LINEAR

Now it is 16.0 mag (Dec. 7, Michael Jager). It is observable in good condition in the Northern Hemisphere. It locates somewhat low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   2 21.93   30 59.0   1.088   1.907   133   17.1  20:29 (  0, 86)  
Dec. 26   2 28.06   29 18.1   1.131   1.905   128   17.1  20:08 (  0, 84)  

* C/2020 T2 ( Palomar )

Now it is 16.7 mag (Dec. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is expected to brighten up to 14 mag from spring to summer, and it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is not observable until late December.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  12 53.13   25 13.0   3.015   3.112    86   17.3   5:32 (291, 68)  
Dec. 26  13  2.48   25 18.9   2.880   3.056    90   17.1   5:35 (299, 72)  

* C/2020 M5 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.2 mag (Oct. 25, A. Mickleburgh). 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)  
Dec. 19  19 32.63   43 37.1   4.026   3.824    71   17.3  18:22 (122, 36)  
Dec. 26  19 35.90   43 34.5   4.019   3.784    69   17.2  18:25 (124, 32)  

* 397P/2020 M2 ( Lemmon )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 17.5 mag in 2012. Now it is 17.9 mag (Dec. 9, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable at 17 mag in good condition from summer to winter. It locates low in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   4 38.40   38 32.2   1.672   2.614   158   17.4  22:44 (180, 86)  
Dec. 26   4 33.01   38 11.9   1.723   2.637   152   17.5  22:12 (180, 87)  

* 173P/Mueller 5

Now it is 16.8 mag (Dec. 7, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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)  
Dec. 19   5 40.30   17 51.9   3.503   4.483   174   17.4  23:46 (  0, 73)  
Dec. 26   5 35.98   18  7.2   3.505   4.473   168   17.4  23:14 (  0, 73)  

* C/2020 H6 ( ATLAS )

It stays observable at 16-17 mag from 2021 to 2022.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  14  6.90  -27 59.2   5.798   5.214    49   17.5   5:32 (323, 16)  
Dec. 26  14 11.45  -27 50.9   5.686   5.191    55   17.4   5:35 (328, 19)  

* C/2020 R7 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.9 mag (Nov. 19, Giuseppe Pappa). It is expected to brighten up to 12 mag in 2022. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until 2022.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   3 16.06  -50 23.0   6.244   6.470    98   17.6  21:21 (  0,  5)  
Dec. 26   3  9.11  -50 10.5   6.255   6.421    95   17.6  20:47 (  0,  5)  

* 178P/Hug-Bell

Now it is 17.3 mag (Dec. 12, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable at 17-18 mag in good condition until winter.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19   7 49.10   21 19.3   1.371   2.287   151   17.8   1:59 (  0, 76)  
Dec. 26   7 43.78   22 16.1   1.368   2.318   160   17.8   1:26 (  0, 77)  

* C/2020 V2 ( ZTF )

Now it is 18.2 mag (Nov. 23, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It is expected to brighten up to 10 mag in 2023. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition until 2023 autumn. In the Southern Hemipshere, it stays hardly observable for a while. But it becomes observable in good condition after 2023 summer.

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 19  13 18.38   25 48.0   8.457   8.372    81   17.9   5:32 (283, 64)  
Dec. 26  13 19.41   26 19.6   8.301   8.322    87   17.8   5:35 (290, 70)  

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