Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2020 Dec. 26: North)

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 Updated on December 27, 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). In mid December, it was visible at about 3 mag in the SOHO spacecraft images (Dec. 18, Hirohisa Sato). 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. 26  18 13.96  -18  6.5   1.503   0.532     5    7.1   5:35 (282,-14)  
Jan.  2  19  0.09  -15 20.1   1.617   0.658     7    8.2  18:30 ( 80,-12)

* 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 9.8 mag still now (Dec. 17, Osamu Miyazaki). 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. 26   5 14.29   43 29.3   0.603   1.553   155    9.7  22:53 (180, 81)  
Jan.  2   5 13.93   45 43.9   0.684   1.612   150   10.2  22:25 (180, 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 16.5-17.5 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. 26  22  5.99   -8 42.7   0.659   0.823    56   11.2  18:25 ( 48, 33)  
Jan.  2  22 50.96   -8 12.3   0.601   0.853    59   11.1  18:30 ( 46, 35)

* 88P/Howell

It brightened up to 8.2 mag in autumn (Oct. 13, Chris Wyatt). Now it is fading. But it is bright as 10.7 mag still now (Dec. 14, Seiichi Yoshida). 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. 26  21 57.91  -15 44.1   2.082   1.664    51   11.2  18:25 ( 45, 26)  
Jan.  2  22 17.46  -13 48.1   2.166   1.706    49   11.5  18:30 ( 49, 25)

* 156P/Russell-LINEAR

Brightened rapidly. Now it is very bright as 10.3 mag (Dec. 15, Carlos Labordena). 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. 26   0 56.04   23 37.4   0.754   1.404   107   11.6  18:36 (  0, 79)  
Jan.  2   1 13.92   26 52.5   0.815   1.431   105   12.0  18:30 (  5, 82)

* C/2019 N1 ( ATLAS )

Now it is bright as 11.9 mag (Dec. 3, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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. 26  14 23.54  -37 50.6   2.160   1.734    51   11.7   5:35 (331,  9)  
Jan.  2  14 31.42  -42 59.3   2.095   1.753    56   11.7   5:37 (337,  7)

* 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. 26   4 39.32   -3 33.9   0.376   1.306   143   12.2  22:18 (  0, 52)  
Jan.  2   4 47.08    0 26.0   0.382   1.308   142   12.2  21:59 (  0, 56)

* C/2020 R4 ( ATLAS )

Brightened rapidly. Now it is very bright as 12.3 mag (Dec. 21, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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. It will be unobservable temporarily from January to February. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26  21 21.89  -19 34.5   2.053   1.485    42   12.8  18:25 ( 50, 17)  
Jan.  2  21 16.14  -18 51.0   2.109   1.409    34   12.6  18:30 ( 57, 11)

* 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. 26   2 14.88   24 36.0   5.230   5.846   124   13.3  19:54 (  0, 80)  
Jan.  2   2 14.55   24 21.8   5.327   5.847   117   13.4  19:26 (  0, 79)

* 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. 26   0  6.24   57 44.9   4.496   4.890   107   14.0  18:25 (167, 66)  
Jan.  2   0 11.90   56 51.8   4.516   4.849   104   14.0  18:30 (158, 65)

* C/2017 K2 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 13.8 mag (Dec. 22, 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. 26  17 49.00   35 14.5   7.943   7.485    59   14.2   5:35 (241, 20)  
Jan.  2  17 53.33   35  6.1   7.880   7.431    59   14.2   5:37 (243, 25)

* 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. 26  17 32.42  -18 13.1   2.629   1.680    12   14.6   5:35 (288, -6)  
Jan.  2  17 53.55  -18 45.7   2.582   1.644    13   14.2   5:37 (290, -5)

* C/2019 F1 ( ATLAS-Africano )

Now it is 14.8 mag (May 14, Toshiyuki Takahashi). It will brighten up to 13 mag from spring to summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in good condition for a long time. 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. 26  16 10.29  -45 23.4   4.716   3.941    34   14.3   5:35 (320, -9)  
Jan.  2  16 21.01  -46 44.1   4.641   3.916    38   14.3   5:37 (324, -8)

* 246P/NEAT

It stays 13-14 mag from 2020 to 2021. Appearing in the moring sky. It will be observable in good condition after this 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)  
Dec. 26  16 36.57  -18 25.4   3.748   2.882    24   14.3   5:35 (296,  4)  
Jan.  2  16 48.42  -19  5.4   3.702   2.878    28   14.3   5:37 (299,  7)

* 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. 26  16 44.93  -25 25.4   4.221   3.326    21   14.3   5:35 (300, -2)  
Jan.  2  16 52.82  -26 25.9   4.241   3.392    26   14.4   5:37 (304,  2)

* 11P/Tempel-Swift-LINEAR

It brightened very rapidly up to 12.5 mag in early December (Dec. 7, Michael Jager). Now it is fading. It has already faded down to 15.9 mag (Dec. 21, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It stays observable in excellent condition for a while. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26   1 59.93    6 45.5   0.691   1.427   115   14.6  19:40 (  0, 62)  
Jan.  2   2 19.22    6 18.3   0.745   1.447   112   15.0  19:32 (  0, 61)

* C/2020 N1 ( PanSTARRS )

Now it is 15.8 mag (Dec. 3, Ken-ichi Kadota). 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. 26  23 59.56   34 56.6   1.268   1.727    99   14.9  18:25 ( 93, 81)  
Jan.  2   0 13.92   33 16.3   1.256   1.665    95   14.7  18:30 ( 87, 77)

* C/2020 X3 ( SOHO )

Tiny comet of Kreutz group. It was visible at 5 mag on the ground at the total eclipse on Dec. 14. It is observable in the Southern Hemisphere. But it must have already disappeared. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26  16 53.25  -49 18.8   0.652   0.541    30   14.9   5:35 (318,-17)  
Jan.  2  16 53.41  -69 21.5   0.567   0.752    49   16.0   5:37 (338,-25)

* 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 became 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. 26  17 38.49  -42 50.6   4.418   3.519    21   15.2   5:35 (309,-21)  
Jan.  2  17 41.60  -42 24.0   4.375   3.500    24   15.1   5:37 (311,-16)

* 17P/Holmes

Now it is 15.8 mag (Nov. 5, Ken-ichi Kadota). It will be unobservable soon. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26  20 59.70  -16 19.6   2.808   2.125    38   15.2  18:25 ( 56, 16)  
Jan.  2  21 13.79  -14 38.8   2.845   2.115    34   15.2  18:30 ( 61, 14)

* 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. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26  20 31.09  -57 15.3   5.076   4.387    41   15.2  18:25 ( 30,-16)  
Jan.  2  20 44.13  -55 56.5   5.097   4.378    39   15.2  18:30 ( 33,-18)

* 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 became 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. 26  17 57.76    5 29.7   6.368   5.532    29   15.4   5:35 (265,  2)  
Jan.  2  18  1.19    4 58.9   6.335   5.509    30   15.4   5:37 (269,  7)

* C/2018 N2 ( ASASSN )

Now it is 14.5 mag (Dec. 21, 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. 26  16 17.98   59 50.6   4.882   4.926    86   15.5   5:35 (218, 42)  
Jan.  2  16 23.52   60  5.8   4.904   4.973    88   15.5   5:37 (217, 45)

* C/2019 T4 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 15.4 mag (Dec. 3, Ken-ichi Kadota). It is expected to brighten up to 13 mag in 2022. 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. 26   8 28.67  -39 58.6   5.610   6.015   109   15.5   2:10 (  0, 15)  
Jan.  2   8 26.23  -40 20.1   5.526   5.978   112   15.5   1:40 (  0, 15)

* 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). Appearing in the morning sky. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26  16 23.29  -22 44.8   4.023   3.175    26   15.5   5:35 (301,  4)  
Jan.  2  16 27.61  -23 15.4   4.049   3.265    32   15.7   5:37 (306,  8)

* (3200) Phaethon

It approached to Sun down to 0.14 a.u. on Dec. 7, and it must have brightened up to 11 mag. But it was not observable at the high light. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable in the evening low sky from January to February. It is not observable in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26  20  7.02   -9 10.3   1.216   0.603    29   15.6  18:25 ( 70, 12)  
Jan.  2  20 54.05   -4 25.3   1.301   0.754    35   16.1  18:30 ( 72, 17)

* 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 the Southern Hemisphere, it stays observable in excellent condition for a long time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable after this. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26  21 27.07  -33 54.2   3.570   2.917    42   15.9  18:25 ( 40,  7)  
Jan.  2  21 32.17  -34 32.2   3.610   2.888    37   15.9  18:30 ( 43,  3)

* 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 stays 16 mag until January. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26  12 33.22   19  5.9   0.470   1.122    94   15.9   5:35 (329, 72)  
Jan.  2  12 54.68   14 57.9   0.477   1.128    94   15.9   5:37 (339, 69)

* 277P/LINEAR

It brightened rapidly and became brighter than expected. Now it is 15.8 mag (Dec. 21, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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. 26   2 28.06   29 18.1   1.131   1.905   128   16.1  20:08 (  0, 84)  
Jan.  2   2 35.72   27 48.0   1.182   1.905   122   16.1  19:48 (  0, 83)

* 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 unobservable in January. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26  23 26.29    4  2.8   1.056   1.306    79   16.2  18:25 ( 35, 54)  
Jan.  2  23 42.95    8 58.3   1.103   1.321    78   16.3  18:30 ( 46, 57)

* 409P/2020 V1 ( LONEOS-Hill )

First return of a new periodic comet which brightened up to 14-15 mag in 2006. Now it is 17.1 mag (Dec. 19, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). It will brighten up to 15-16 mag from February to March, and will be observable in good condition. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26  11 33.90    1 30.8   1.321   1.791   100   16.6   5:15 (  0, 56)  
Jan.  2  11 48.44    1 35.5   1.250   1.777   104   16.4   5:02 (  0, 56)

* C/2019 T3 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 16.4 mag (Dec. 17, 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. 26  22 10.69   51  4.7   5.881   5.965    90   16.6  18:25 (132, 58)  
Jan.  2  22 13.87   49 42.9   5.957   5.961    85   16.6  18:30 (128, 54)

* 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu 1

Now it is 17.2 mag (Dec. 20, 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. 26  13 24.04   -1 36.5   4.071   3.924    74   16.7   5:35 (325, 48)  
Jan.  2  13 28.88   -1 59.4   3.952   3.908    80   16.6   5:37 (334, 50)

* 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 17.1 mag (Dec. 19, 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. 26   1 14.58  -25 52.6   4.764   4.889    91   16.7  18:54 (  0, 29)  
Jan.  2   1 13.40  -24 24.1   4.907   4.931    85   16.8  18:30 (  1, 31)

* 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. 26  23 43.66    4  2.8   6.916   6.874    83   16.7  18:25 ( 29, 56)  
Jan.  2  23 44.94    4 26.5   7.074   6.917    76   16.8  18:30 ( 41, 53)

* 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. 26   8 34.89   19 56.1   1.587   2.479   148   16.8   2:17 (  0, 75)  
Jan.  2   8 29.36   20 40.1   1.583   2.517   156   16.9   1:44 (  0, 76)

* 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. 26  19 14.12   29 53.1   9.359   8.829    54   16.8  18:25 (112, 22)  
Jan.  2  19 17.08   30 10.9   9.377   8.828    53   16.8  18:30 (116, 17)

* 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. 26  19 17.51   26  3.3   3.498   2.985    51   16.9  18:25 (108, 21)  
Jan.  2  19 29.59   26 45.1   3.596   3.067    50   17.1  18:30 (111, 17)

* C/2020 T2 ( Palomar )

Now it is 16.6 mag (Dec. 22, 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. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26  13  2.48   25 18.9   2.880   3.056    90   17.1   5:35 (299, 72)  
Jan.  2  13 11.57   25 31.0   2.748   3.001    95   17.0   5:37 (310, 76)

* C/2019 C1 ( ATLAS )

It brightened up to 16.1 mag in last winter (Mar. 18, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). Now it is 17.7 mag (Dec. 21, 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. 26  13  4.23  -20  4.6   6.998   6.764    72   17.0   5:35 (340, 32)  
Jan.  2  13  7.04  -20 14.5   6.901   6.775    78   17.0   5:37 (348, 34)

* C/2020 M5 ( ATLAS )

Now it is 17.3 mag (Dec. 19, Toshihiko Ikemura, Hirohisa Sato). 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. 26  19 35.90   43 34.5   4.019   3.784    69   17.2  18:25 (124, 32)  
Jan.  2  19 39.53   43 42.7   4.007   3.744    67   17.1  18:30 (126, 27)

* 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. 26  15 30.17    5 52.2   1.967   1.542    50   17.3   5:35 (287, 32)  
Jan.  2  15 37.20    5 46.0   2.014   1.661    55   17.7   5:37 (292, 37)

* 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. 26  14 11.45  -27 50.9   5.686   5.191    55   17.4   5:35 (328, 19)  
Jan.  2  14 15.61  -27 40.4   5.566   5.169    61   17.4   5:37 (333, 22)

* 173P/Mueller 5

Now it is 17.0 mag (Dec. 9, 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. 26   5 35.98   18  7.2   3.505   4.473   168   17.4  23:14 (  0, 73)  
Jan.  2   5 31.85   18 23.4   3.522   4.464   161   17.5  22:43 (  0, 73)

* 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. 26   4 33.01   38 11.9   1.723   2.637   152   17.5  22:12 (180, 87)  
Jan.  2   4 28.97   37 46.8   1.785   2.660   146   17.6  21:40 (180, 87)

* 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. 26   3  9.11  -50 10.5   6.255   6.421    95   17.6  20:47 (  0,  5)  
Jan.  2   3  2.83  -49 50.8   6.269   6.372    91   17.5  20:13 (  0,  5)

* 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. 26  13 19.41   26 19.6   8.301   8.322    87   17.8   5:35 (290, 70)  
Jan.  2  13 20.07   26 55.4   8.144   8.271    93   17.7   5:37 (300, 75)

* A/2019 U5

Now it is 17.7 mag (Nov. 3, ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala). Although it is an asteroid, it is brightening rapidly. It may brighten up to 11 mag in 2023. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26  18 15.61   36 42.5   8.127   7.684    60   17.8   5:35 (236, 16)  
Jan.  2  18 18.44   36 44.5   8.081   7.640    60   17.8   5:37 (239, 21)

* 323P/SOHO

Five apparitions of this comet was confirmed in 1999, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. It will approach to Sun down to 0.04 a.u. on Jan. 17. It may be observed on the ground in December and February. 

Date(TT)  R.A. (2000) Decl.   Delta     r    Elong.  m1   Best Time(A, h)  
Dec. 26  14 50.06  -17 33.1   0.993   0.821    49   19.1   5:35 (314, 23)  
Jan.  2  15 58.11  -21 43.9   0.893   0.642    39   17.8   5:37 (310, 14)

* 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. 26   7 43.78   22 16.1   1.368   2.318   160   17.8   1:26 (  0, 77)  
Jan.  2   7 37.59   23 13.4   1.377   2.350   169   17.9   0:53 (  0, 78)

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