Comet Chasing in August

Comet chasing is the visual observation of telescopic comets.

News

Comet Synopses for August

Explanation of Comet Synopses and charts (read this if you have questions)  

Charts look poor or grainy? Read this.

C/2008 A1 (McNaught): A southern hemisphere evening comet visible in binoculars
This comet begins the month in Vela at magnitude 7.8. Look for a 6.5' coma. It should brighten by about 1.2 magnitudes, moving into Centaurus by month's end. The best visibility is late in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
Equator Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Very low in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~19:00 26-
30o S Low in the western sky at ~18:50 Low in the southern sky during morning twilight at ~05:20 Fairly high in the western sky during evening twilight at ~18:40 Fairly high in the western sky at ~19:00 Fairly high in the western sky at ~19:10 1-

17P/Holmes: A northern hemisphere morning comet visible in binoculars
This comet had a large outburst in November 2007.  Since then it has become very large and diffuse.  Recently it has been in solar conjunction and only now is again becoming visible. 17P begins the month in Gemini, possibly at magnitude ~7.4. Look for a very large and diffuse coma over a degree in extent. It should fade slowly, moving into Cancer by month's end.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Low in the eastern sky at ~02:40 13-14, 22-
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:00 Low in the eastern sky at ~03:40 7-14, 21-
Equator Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Low in the eastern sky at ~04:40 14-14, 23-
30o S Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  

C/2007 W1 (Boattini): A morning comet visible in small telescopes
This comet begins the month in Aries at magnitude 7.8. Look for a 7.4' coma. It should fade rapidly.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N Fairly high in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~01:10 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~01:20 High during morning twilight at ~02:30 High during morning twilight at ~02:30 High at ~02:20 1-
40o N High at ~03:00 High at ~03:10 High during morning twilight at ~03:40 Low in the eastern sky at ~22:00 High at ~03:20 1-
Equator High at ~04:40 High at ~04:40 High in moonlight at ~04:10 Fairly high in the eastern sky at ~23:40 High at ~03:30 1-
30o S High at ~05:10 Fairly high at ~05:00 Fairly high in moonlight at ~04:20 Low in the eastern sky at ~00:50 Fairly high at ~03:30 1-

C/2007 N3 (Lulin): An evening comet visible in binoculars
This comet begins the month in Sagittarius at magnitude 9.5. Look for a 4.4' coma. It should brighten slowly, moving into Ophiuchus by month's end. The best visibility is mid-month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N Low in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~23:10 Low in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~22:30 Not visible Low in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~20:50 Very low in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~21:00 1-12, 20-
40o N Fairly high in the southern sky at ~22:20 Fairly high in the southern sky at ~23:00 Fairly high in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~20:30 Fairly high in the southern sky at ~20:30 Fairly high in the southern sky at ~20:20 1-
Equator High at ~22:20 Fairly high at ~00:30 High in moonlight at ~20:30 High at ~19:40 High at ~19:30 1-
30o S High at ~22:20 Fairly high at ~01:40 High in moonlight at ~20:40 High at ~19:40 High at ~19:20 1-

19P/Borrelly: A morning comet visible in small telescopes
This comet begins the month in Gemini at magnitude 9.5. It should fade by about 0.5 magnitudes, moving into Cancer by month's end.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Very low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~02:20 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~03:00 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~02:50 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~02:40 1-
40o N Very low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~03:20 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~03:30 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:00 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:00 Low in the eastern sky at ~03:50 1-
Equator Low in the eastern sky at ~04:50 Low in the eastern sky at ~04:50 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~05:10 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~05:00 Low in the eastern sky at ~04:50 1-
30o S Very low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~05:30 Very low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~05:30 Very low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~05:40 Very low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~05:30 Very low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~05:20 1-30

C/2008 J1 (Boattini): A northern hemisphere morning comet visible in small telescopes
This comet begins the month in Cepheus at magnitude 10.5. Look for a 4.1' coma. It should fade slowly, moving into Ursa Minor by month's end.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N High during morning twilight at ~00:10 High at ~00:00 Not visible High in moonlight at ~02:10 High at ~22:10 1-
40o N High at ~00:50 High at ~23:40 Not visible High at ~20:50 High at ~20:40 1-
Equator Very low in the northern sky at ~00:50 Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible 1-7
30o S Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  

C/2006 OF2 (Broughton): A morning comet visible in a 6-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Perseus at magnitude 11.4. Look for a 1.7' coma. It should brighten slowly, moving into Camelopardus by month's end.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N Fairly high during morning twilight at ~00:50 High at ~01:10 High during morning twilight at ~02:30 High during morning twilight at ~02:30 High at ~02:20 1-
40o N High at ~03:00 High at ~03:10 High during morning twilight at ~03:40 Low in the northern sky at ~22:00 High at ~03:40 1-
Equator Fairly high at ~04:40 Fairly high at ~04:40 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~05:00 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~04:50 Fairly high at ~04:40 1-
30o S Very low in the northern sky at ~05:20 Very low in the northern sky at ~05:20 Not visible Very low in the northern sky during morning twilight at ~05:20 Very low in the northern sky during morning twilight at ~05:00 1-14, 19-

C/2007 G1 (LINEAR): An evening comet visible in a 6-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Lupus at magnitude 11.3. Look for a 1.9' coma. It should fade slowly. The best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Low in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~20:50 Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible 1-7
Equator High at ~19:40 High during evening twilight at ~19:10 High during evening twilight at ~19:10 High at ~19:20 Fairly high at ~19:20 1-
30o S High at ~19:10 High during evening twilight at ~18:50 High in moonlight at ~19:10 High at ~19:10 High at ~19:10 1-

6P/d'Arrest: An evening comet visible in a 6-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Aquila at magnitude 11.7. Look for a 1.3' coma. It should fade slowly, moving into Microscopium by month's end. The best visibility is late in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N Fairly high in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~23:40 Fairly high in the southern sky at ~23:10 Not visible Not visible Not visible 1-13, 23-30
40o N High at ~23:10 Fairly high at ~23:00 Not visible Fairly high in the southern sky at ~22:00 Low in the southern sky at ~22:10 1-13, 15-
Equator High at ~23:10 High at ~00:30 High in moonlight at ~22:30 High at ~22:20 High at ~22:10 1-
30o S High at ~23:10 High at ~01:40 High in moonlight at ~22:40 High at ~22:20 High at ~22:10 1-

C/2006 Q1 (McNaught): A southern hemisphere evening comet visible in a 6-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Virgo at magnitude 11.8. Look for a 2.3' coma. It should fade slowly. The best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
Equator Fairly high in the western sky at ~19:30 Fairly high in the western sky during evening twilight at ~19:10 Not visible Low in the western sky at ~19:20 Low in the western sky at ~19:10 1-12, 18-
30o S Fairly high at ~19:00 Fairly high in the western sky during evening twilight at ~18:50 Not visible Low in the western sky at ~19:00 Low in the western sky at ~19:10 1-

15P/Finlay: A morning comet visible in a 16-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Taurus at magnitude 12.9. Look for a 46" coma. It should fade by about 1.1 magnitudes, moving into Gemini by month's end.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N Very low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~01:40 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~01:50 Not visible Fairly high in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~02:50 Fairly high in the eastern sky at ~02:40 1-14, 21-
40o N Low in the eastern sky at ~03:10 Low in the eastern sky at ~03:20 Not visible Fairly high in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~03:50 Fairly high in the eastern sky at ~03:40 1-14, 19-
Equator Fairly high in the eastern sky at ~04:40 Fairly high in the eastern sky at ~04:40 Not visible Fairly high in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:50 Fairly high in the eastern sky at ~04:40 1-14, 19-
30o S Low in the eastern sky at ~05:20 Low in the eastern sky at ~05:20 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~05:30 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~05:10 Low in the eastern sky at ~05:00 1-14, 19-

C/2006 W3 (Christensen): A northern hemisphere morning comet visible in a 12.5-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Camelopardus at magnitude 13.7. Look for a 39" coma. It should brighten slowly.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N High during morning twilight at ~00:30 High at ~00:50 High during morning twilight at ~02:20 High during morning twilight at ~02:20 High at ~02:10 1-
40o N High at ~03:00 High at ~03:10 High during morning twilight at ~03:40 Fairly high in the northern sky at ~22:00 High at ~03:30 1-
Equator Low in the northern sky at ~04:40 Low in the northern sky at ~04:40 Not visible Low in the northern sky during morning twilight at ~04:50 Low in the northern sky at ~04:30 1-14, 19-
30o S Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  

C/2008 C1 (Chen-Gao): A southern hemisphere evening comet visible in a 16-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Antila at magnitude 13.3. Look for a 2.5' coma. It should fade by about 0.9 magnitudes, moving into Vela by month's end. The best visibility is mid-month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
Equator Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
30o S Low in the western sky at ~18:50 Not visible Not visible Low in the western sky at ~19:00 Low in the western sky at ~19:00 1-7, 18-

P/2008 J2 (Beshore): An evening comet visible in a 14-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Scorpius at magnitude 13.5. Look for a 1' coma. It should fade by about 0.5 magnitudes, moving into Ophiuchus by month's end. The best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility August 2 Visibility August 9 Visibility August 16 Visibility August 23 Visibility August 30 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Fairly high in the southern sky at ~21:10 Low in the western sky at ~23:00 Not visible Fairly high in the southern sky at ~20:30 Fairly high in the southern sky at ~20:20 1-9, 20-
Equator High at ~19:50 Low in the western sky at ~00:30 Not visible High at ~19:30 High at ~19:20 1-
30o S High at ~19:40 High in moonlight at ~19:00 High in moonlight at ~19:40 High at ~19:20 High at ~19:20 1-

Summary Data for This Month's Telescopic Comets

Here's a list of the comets brighter than 15th magnitude.  This table is updated as necessary.  The last column indicates the date of the last observation used to compute these values.  The constellation listed is where the comet was on the first of the month.
Comet Constellation

August 1st

August 15th

August 31st

 Observations as of (UT)
Mag Diam Mag Diam Mag Diam
C/2007 W1 (Boattini) Aries 7.0 14.8' 7.9 12.8' 8.9 11.3' 2008 July 13
17P/Holmes Gemini 7.4? 60'? 7.5? 60'? 7.5? 60'? 2008 April 24
C/2008 A1 (McNaught) Vela 8.2 4.8' 7.6 5.4' 7.0 5.7' 2008 July 10
19P/Borrelly Gemini 9.5 1'? 9.6 1'? 10.0 1'? 2008 July 13
C/2008 J1 (Boattini) Cepheus 10.0 4.6' 10.2 4.5' 10.4 4.3' 2008 July 8
15P/Finlay Taurus 10.4 3.7' 10.9 3.5' 11.5 3.4' 2008 July 13
C/2007 N3 (Lulin) Sagittarius 10.9 1.7' 10.7 1.7' 10.5 1.5' 2008 July 12
C/2006 OF2 (Broughton) Perseus 11.2 2.1' 11.1 2.2' 10.9 2.4' 2008 July 4
6P/d'Arrest Aquila 11.7 1.5' 11.5 1.5' 11.9 1.3' 2008 July 4
C/2007 G1 (LINEAR) Lupus 11.8 2.3' 11.8 2.1' 11.9 1.9' 2008 July 9
C/2006 Q1 (McNaught) Virgo 12.0 1.3' 12.1 1.3' 12.3 1.2' 2008 June 30
C/2006 W3 (Christensen) Camelopardus 12.9 46" 12.7 48" 12.4 52" 2008 July 8
C/2005 L3 (McNaught) Bootes 12.9 1.4' 13.0 1.3' 13.1 1.3' 2008 July 8
P/2008 J2 (Beshore) Scorpius 13.2 52" 13.4 47" 13.7 43" 2008 July 9
C/2008 C1 (Chen-Gao) Antila 13.3 2.7' 13.8 2.6' 14.2 2.4' 2008 May 12
C/2007 B2 (Skiff) Corvus 13.5 22" 13.6 21" 13.7 20" 2008 May 8
29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann Gemini 14.9 27" 14.9 27" 14.8 28" 2008 April 6

*In solar conjunction and not visible

For the latest news and comet observations see Recent News and Observations from the Comet Observation Home Page, or the ICQ/CBAT/MPC: Recent Comet Magnitude Estimates page.  The Astronomical Headlines page of the IAU is also a good source of information, particularly for recent discoveries.

For general information about comets see Gary W. Kronk's Cometography 

Join the Comet Chasing discussion group 

Further reading: see Comet Chasing, Sky & Telescope, April 2005, pg. 83.

All predictions and charts were made with my SkyTools 2  observing software.  Specific information regarding its many unique comet observing features can be found here.
 

Links
Skyhound's Guide to Comets
Skyhound's Guide to Finding Comets
BAA Comet Section
Astronomical Headlines (IAU)
Cometography

Visit Software or go back to the Skyhound main page.