On June 3, 2005 R.H. McNaught discovered a third comet within two days in the course of the Siding Spring Survey. Comet C/2005 L3 (McNaught), situated in the western part of the constellation Piscis Austrinus, showed a condensed 10" coma of magnitude 18.0. According to the first elements it will pass its rather distant perihelion at the end of 2007 (IAUC 8536). During the years 2007 and 2008 it could become as bright as 15.0 mag, thereby moving through Ophiuchus and Hercules. Visual observations showed the comet as an object of magnitude 13.5 in July 2007, displaying a 0.7' coma. In spring 2008 it was estimated at magnitude 13.0 and showed a medium-condensed 0.8' coma. At the end of 2008 it was estimated as about 14.5 mag. Until November 2009 all brightness estimates can be described rather well by the parameters m0=4.0 mag / n=3, yielding a maximum brightness of 13.1 mag in summer 2007 and 2008.
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On Sep. 19, 2006 the LONEOS team discovered a comet of magnitude 19 near the borders of Pisces and Pegasus. Comet C/2006 S3 (LONEOS) presented a diffuse 10" coma, which was elongated towards east, but no tail. At discovery it was at a distance of 14 AU from the sun. The comet will pass perihelion (distance about 5 AU) not until spring 2012, when it could be as bright as 12 mag (IAUC 8752, MPEC 2006-T23). It is expected to be brighter than 14 mag between summer 2010 and fall 2013, thereby moving through Aquarius, Ophiuchus, Libra into Virgo.
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An asteroidal object of magnitude 18 was first discovered on Mar. 31, 2008 in the course of the Mt.Lemmon Survey and then again on July 1, 2008 in the course of the Siding Spring Survey. Detailled observations showed it to be of cometary nature. Comet C/2008 FK75 (Lemmon-Siding Spring) showed a 6" diffuse coma. It will pass its far perihelion in fall 2010 and could then reach magnitude 15, passing through the constellations Hercules, Lyra and Cygnus (IAUC 8958).
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A comet of magnitude 17 was discovered with the 0.5m-Uppsala telescope by G.J. Garradd on Aug. 13, 2008 in the constellation Phoenix. Comet C/2008 P1 (Garradd) showed a condensed 10" coma and a 15" tail pointing westward. The comet will pass perihelion in July 2009 and could reach 15.5 mag, positioned near the borders of the constellations Pisces/Andromeda/Pegasus (IAUC 8965 / MPEC 2008-U16). According to the very small number of published observations the comet peaked at about 15 mag in fall 2009.
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On Mar. 19, 2009 R.H. McNaught discovered an extremely condensed comet of magnitude 17 near the border of the constellations Libra/Scorpius. Comet C/2009 F4 (McNaught) appeared softer then the stars nearby and showed a 12" appandage towards west. This comet with a very high absolute magnitude will pass perihelion at the turn 2011/12 and could reach 14.5 mag, but will then be positioned at high southern declinations (IAUC 9032 / MPEC 2009-G40).
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On images taken by the satellite STEREO on Apr. 3, 2009 a 10-11 mag comet was discovered near the border of the constellations Pegasus/Aquarius. Comet C/2009 G1 (STEREO) was tailless and passed perihelion in mid-April. The first terrestrial observation was achieved on Apr. 9 by K. Kadota with the position of the comet 4' off: the 4.5' coma with a pronounced central condensation was of magntiude 10.6 mag (IAUC 9036/37). The comet will not be visible from mid-European latitudes. Based on 55 international observations the comet showed a very smooth brightness evolution according to the formula m = 7.9 mag + 5×log D + 7.1×log r, yielding a maximum brightness of 8.8 mag around May 20. The coma diameter measured about 4' at the beginning of the apparition, increasing to 6' until the end of May. Thereafter it shrunk, measuring less than 1' at the end of July. The coma was medium-condensed (DC 4) at first, but became more and more diffuse with time. At the end of the apparition it was estimated as DC 2.
Total Brightness and Coma Diameter
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On May 27, 2009 R.H McNaught discovered a comet of magnitude 17 near the border of the constellations Pavo/Octant. Comet C/2009 K5 (McNaught) showed a significantly condensed 10" coma. It will pass perihelion at the end of April 2010, at a predicted maximum brightness of 9.5 mag (IAUC 9050 / MPEC 2009-L37). For mid-European observers it will appear above the southeastern morning horizon at the beginning of February (constellation Scutum). During the following weeks it will move northward, passing Cygnus and Cepheus at the time of maximum brightness.
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On June 15, 2009 Riu Yang and Xing Gao discovered a comet near the border of the constellations Serpens / Sagittarius while performing their search program. Comet P/2009 L2 (Yang-Gao) showed a 40" coma with a total magnitude of 13.5 and a rather broad 1.5' tail in p.a. 240°. It exhibits an extremely faint absolute magnitude and has a period of 6.3 years. The comet was close to Earth when it was discovered (minimum distance: 0.303 AU), already receding, and therefore fading (IAUC 9052 / MPEC 2009-P14). Successful visual observations were obtained between mid-June and the beginning of July, when the comet appeared about one magnitude brighter than expected (maximum brightness about 12.8 mag). The 1' coma was considerably condensed (DC 6).
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An asteroidal object of 19 mag was found by the Catalina project on July 27, 2009 near the border of the constellations Aquarius/Capricornus. Detailed observations revealed the cometary nature. Comet C/2009 O2 (Catalina) will pass its perihelion in March 2010, expected to reach magnitude 9 (IAUC 9057). Mid-European observers can observe the comet from mid-January until the end of April. At magnitude 14 at first, it will peak in brightness just in time it reaches greatest altitude (30°). It will disappear under the horizon at the end of April, expected to be of magnitude 12. During this period it will move from Aquila through Cygnus, Andromeda, Taurus into Orion. A morning object at first, it will enter the evening sky in mid-March.
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On Aug. 13, 2009 G.J. Garradd discovered a 19.0 mag comet in the constellation Phoenix. Comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) showed a 15" Koma, but no tail. Currently it is at an distance of nearly 9 AU from the sun. The comet will pass perihelion in December 2011 and could reach 7.0 mag in February 2012 (IAUC 9062 / MPEC 2009-R18). It should be brighter than 12 mag from May 2011 until July 2012, brighter than 9 mag from July 2011 to April 2012. During this period it moves from Aquarius to Pegasus, Delphinus, Sagitta, Hercules, Draco, Ursa Minor, Draco, Ursa Major, Lynx into Cancer. During the most interesting months it will be an evening object until November 2011 and again starting in March 2012. Between December 2011 and February 2012 it will be better placed in the morning sky. The maximum altitude is in the order of 80°.
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On Catalina images of Aug. 26, 2009 A. Boattini discovered an 18.5 mag comet in the constellation Taurus. Comet P/2009 Q4 (Boattini) showed a strongly condensed 8" coma with central condensation and a narrow 10-15" tail in p.a. 290°. It will pass perihelion of its orbit with a period of 5.0 years in November 2009 and could peak at 15 mag near Year's end, the positioned in Leo (IAUC 9069 / MPEC 2009-R30). Observers reported a maximum brightness of about 13.0 mag in November/December 2009. The condensed coma measured 0.8'.
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On Sep. 9, 2009 R.H. McNaught discovered a comet near the border of the constellations Microscopium/Piscis Austrinus. Comet C/2009 R1 (McNaught) showed an 8" coma of magnitude 17. It will pass perihelion in July 2010 in a distance of only 0.4 AU from the sun and could reach magnitude 5. However, during this days it will be positioned near the sun (IAUC 9071). Mid-European observers could follow the evolution from about May 15 (at predicted magnitude 9.5) until June 20 (5.5 mag), however rather low above the northern morning horizon, moving from Andromeda into Auriga.
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An apparently asteroidal object of 19.5 mag, discovered by the Catalina team on Dec. 17, 2009 near the border of the constellations Canes Venatici / Ursa Major revealed its cometary nature during follow-up observations. Comet C/2009 Y1 (Catalina) showed a faint tail in p.a. 260° and weak activity west of the nucleus. It will reach perihelion at the beginning of 2011, expected to reach 15 mag (IAUC 9102 / MPEC 2010-C27). During fall/winter 2010/11 it moves from Ursa Minor through Draco and Cygnus into Pegasus, being observable during the whole night most of its apparition.
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On Jan. 6, 2010 the LINEAR team discovered an asteroidal object of 20 mag in the constellation Gemini, which revealed its cometary nature on detailled observations on Jan. 7.0 UT. Comet P/2010 A2 (LINEAR) was a headless object of total magnitude 18.5 with a straight tail in east-western direction (p.a. 280°). The tail was 130" long, with a constant width of 10-14" along its entire length. Starting 6" from the eastern end it was brightest in an 20" area, however not showing any obvious central condensation.. The tail faded gradually towards west. On Jan. 7.7 UT a faint 0.5' coma and a 5' tail was observed. This comet is the 5th member of the Main Belt Comets, being situated in the inner part. The comet passed perihelion on its orbit with a period of only 3.5 years in November 2009, peaking at the time of discovery. Observations on Jan. 11 show a stellar nucleus of magnitude 23 (estimated diameter: 150-200 m) 2.5" in front of the dust tail, connected with it via a light bridge. The most probable explanation of this unusual object is a collision between two small asteroids (IAUC 9105/09/10, CBET 2134)..
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On Jan. 14, 2010 the LINEAR team discovered an asteroidal object of magnitude 17.5 in the constellation Virgo, which revealed its cometary nature on subsequent observations. Comet P/2010 A5 (LINEAR) showed a condensed 20" coma, which was elongated along p.a. 300°. It will pass perihelion on its orbit with a period of 11.5 years at the end of April (IAUC 9108 / MPEC 2010-D12). Due to the fact that it will approach earth until mid-May it could peak at magnitude 14.5. However it will be not well-placed for mid-European observers, moving in Scorpius, reaching altitudes of only 15°.
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An asteroidal object of magnitude 17.5, discovered by R.D. Cardinal on Jan. 19, 2010 near the border of the constellations Camelopardalis/Ursa Major revealed its cometary nature on subsequent observations. Comet C/2010 B1 (Cardinal) showed a softer image than the surrounding field stars. The diameter of the strongly condensed coma was measured to be 7". The comet will pass perihelion in February 2011, expected to reach magnitude 14 (IAUC 9113). It should be brighter than 16.0 mag between September 2010 and September 2011. Mid-European observers can follow the comet until mid-March 2011. During this period it will move from Gemini through Canis Minor, Monoceros, Orion into Eridanus, when it will disappear above the southwestern horizon.
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During spring/summer 2010 comet 10P/Tempel (P=5.37a) can be observed with large instruments in the morning sky, however at rather low altitudes for mid-European observers. Between the beginning of March and of May it will move from Capricornus into Aquarius. My analysis of the well-observed apparition in 1999 indicates that it should brighten from 14.5 mag to 12.5 mag during this period. The ICQ works with a different formula, predicting a brightening from 13.0 mag to 10.0 mag during this period.
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During winter 2009/10 comet 30P/Reinmuth (P=7.34a) should be observable with large amateur instruments as an 15 mag object in the constellations Orion/Taurus. Visible during the whole night it should brighten slowly. International observations show a large scatter, but it seems that the comet reached about 14.5 mag in December/January. The coma diameter was measured to be about 0.4'.
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Comet 65P/Gunn was observed visually at the beginning of 2009, about one year prior to perihelion. The significantly condensed coma of magnitude 13.5 mag showed a diameter of 0.8'. The small number of observations published until the start of June 2009 confirm the predicted parameters (m0=4.5 mag / n=6). Thus this comet should reach magnitude 12 during summer 2010. However, it will then be positioned in the southernmost corner of Capricornus, being a very diffucult object for mid-European observers.
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If comet 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh (P=8.53a) should evolve according to the ICQ-prediction, it should be observable with larger instruments as an object of about 15 mag during winter 2008/09. Moving near the border of Cancer/Leo it should be a comfortably placed object. The comet peaked at 14.5m at the end of 2008 - one magnitude brighter than expected. During May it will be an object of magnitude 15.0, situated above the western evening horizon in Leo. At the end of October it will become visible again in the morning sky, moving through Virgo.
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During winter 2009/10 comet 81P/Wild (P=6.42a) moves from Leo into Virgo, thus being a morning object. It should brighten from 11.5 mag to 9.5 mag. Until the start of February 2010 the comet increased its brightness significantly slower then expected. Due to the small number of published observations the brightness parameters are still not well defined, but can be assumed to be in the order m0=8.0 mag / n=4. Thus the comet should peak at 9.3 mag at the end of March. The diameter of the rather diffuse coma was estimated to be about 3' at the start of February.
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According to the ICQ comet 94P/Russell (P=6.60a) should become observable in large amateur instruments during winter 2009/10. Moving in Leo, the brightness should increase from 16 mag to 14.5 mag. It will be a morning object during the last weeks of the year 2009 and an object of the whole night during the first weeks of 2010.
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Comet 116P/Wild (P=6.48a) should become observable in medium-sized telescopes in February 2009. Positioned in the western part of Leo, it will be an object of the whole night. From November 2008 to March 2009 it is predicted to brighten from 15 mag to 13 mag. The comet was not well-observed, only 35 observations could be used for this temporary first analysis. According to these the comet reached magnitude 11.5 at the start of June. The evolution can be represented by the formula m = 8.5 mag + 5×log D + 0.02×(t-T), yielding a (not observable) maximum brightness of 10.5 mag in mid-July. The coma diameter increased only from 1.7' to 2.3', with the coma moderately condensed (DC 3-4).
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Comet 118P/Shoemaker-Levy (P=6.60a) passed perihelion at the beginning of January 2010. At the beginning of February 2010 the number of published observations is too small for a definite analysis. However, the brightness evolution can be described rather well with the parameters m0=10.0 mag / n=4, resulting in a maximum brightness of 13.0 mag at the time of perihelion. The diameter of the diffuse coma was short of 1'.
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On May 27, 2009 L. Elenin recovered comet 126P/IRAS (P=13.42a) with a robotic telescope in Australia. The 19 mag comet was a stellar object near the Southern Pole (at the border of the constellations Apus / Octans). It will pass perihelion in February 2010, predicted to peak at magnitude 12.5-13.0 mag. At mid-European locations it will appear in April in the morning sky, expected to be still of magnitude 13.5 (MPEC 2009-K65 / Comet's Mailing List).
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On June 29, 2009 the 18.5 mag object 2009 MB9 was discovered during the Siding Spring Sky Survey near the border of the constellations Lupus/Centaur. R.H. McNaught found the object of cometary nature on Aug. 2. H. Sato pointed out, that it was Comet P/2004 X1 (LINEAR) (CBET 1893). Komet P/2009 MB9 (LINEAR) passed perihelion in September 2009 (dT = -2.2d), supposed to reach 16 mag, but remaining close to the Sun. At the beginning of August it passed Earth at the distance of only 0.174 Au. In the meantime it received the final designation 222P/LINEAR (IAUC 9062). Visual observations showed the comet to be 5 mag brighter than expected in September. At the beginning of September it was estimated to be of magnitude 12.3, showing a medium-condensed coma short of 1'. Due to the rapidly increasing distance to earth at the end of September it was of magnitude 13.6, showing a similar coma than four weeks before.
Andreas Kammerer
