Comet Chasing in November
Comet chasing is the visual
observation of telescopic comets.
News
November offers one binocular comet and two comets visible in small
telescopes.
-
C/2020 M3 (ATLAS) passed perihelion in late October. On October 25, this comet passed within 0.4 AU of the earth. It is
currently predicted to attain maximum brightness of magnitude 7.5 in early
November 9.
-
156P/Russell-LINEAR brightened
rapidly and unexpected in October, and has since maintained at least
magnitude 12.. This comet will reach perihelion in mid
November, when it will also be within 0.5 AU of the earth.
-
C/2020 S3 (Erasmus) has brightened
rapidly. It will reach periehlion on December 12, when It is predicted to reach maximum brightness of magnitude 6.8.
-
C/2020 P1 (NEOWISE) passed perihelion on October 20.
-
88P/Howell passed perihelion in late
September.
-
398P/Boattini will reach perihelion in late December. On December 26 this comet will pass within 0.4 AU of the
earth, when t is predicted to reach maximum brightness of magnitude 13.5.
-
C/2020 Q1 (Borisov) passed perihelion in mid August. In late September this comet will pass within 0.7 AU of the earth. It
is predicted to reach maximum brightness of magnitude 13 in late September.
-
C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) was a Great Comet
that passed perihelion in early July. In late July this comet
passed within 0.7 AU of the earth.
-
C/2020 K8 (Catalina-ATLAS) apparently
faded significantly after perihelion on September 14 and appears to no
longer be observable.
-
A/2019 U6 (Lemmon). This former asteroid was observed to
have a cometary coma in early February, apparently noted by A. Novichonok.
It passed perihelion on June 18.
-
C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) passed perihelion in early May.
-
C/2019 N1 (ATLAS) will reach perihelion in early December. It is
currently predicted to reach a maximum brightness of magnitude 9.7 in early January 2021.
-
246P/NEAT will
next reach
perihelion in late February 2021. It is
currently predicted to reach maximum brightness of magnitude 13.5 in late
June of 2021..
2P/Encke passed perihelion on June 25. In late July this comet
passed within 0.6 AU of the earth.
C/2017 T2
(PANSTARRS):
passed perihelion in early May.
C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS). This comet had the
potential to become a bright naked-eye object near perihelion in late May,
but on April 8 it was observed in images to have fragmented. It has not been
observed since late May and is presumed lost.
2I/Borisov (formerly C/2019 Q4) is the first
interstellar comet, discovered on August 30, 2019 by G. Borisov. It took
until September 10/11 for the interstellar nature of this comet to become
readily apparent. On September 24 the IAU officially recognized it as
interstellar and assigned a new designation. It will reach perihelion in early December, when it will
come within 1.9 AU of the sun and earth. At that time it will be in Hydra.
It isn't yet clear how bright it will become, but with comets there is
always the possibility that it will brighten enough to be observable
visually in large instruments. More
here...
29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann
T his comet
has outbursts, resulting in a
brightening of 0.5 - 1.0 magnitudes, which occur roughly every 59 days, typically
taking 5-10 days to subside. Up to three subsequent outbursts may occur 5-10 days afterward, each typically smaller than the
last, although on some occasions they can be even brighter than the first. These
outbursts make 29P one of the most interesting comets to follow, both
visually and scientifically. 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann has a 14.8-year
orbital period, and last passed perihelion in early March 2019. It
varies in its distance from the Sun from 5.8 AU (at perihelion) to 6.3 AU
(at aphelion), which is an unusually small variation for a comet, and
remains quite far from the sun at all times. This means that it can be
observed more or less continuously.
|
 C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE)
on the evening of July 29, in moonlight, from Cloudcroft, New Mexcio.
|
Comet
Visibility in the Eyepiece
This
page uses code developed for SkyTools to predict the visibility of a comet in the
eyepiece. Predicting how much
aperture is required to see a comet is a very complex task. Have a look
for yourself: a comparison of the predictions below (such as "visible in
small telescopes") to the magnitude of each comet shows just how poor an
indicator the magnitude alone really is. When you read below that a
particular aperture is required to see a comet you can have a reasonable degree
of confidence that the comet can in fact be seen in the eyepiece. But always
remember, comets are like cats. They both have tails and do what they want, and
not always what we expect. This is one of the things that makes comet chasing
interesting!
Comet
Synopses for November
Explanation
of Comet Synopses and charts (read this if you have questions)
C/2020 M3 (ATLAS): A
morning comet visible in binoculars
This comet begins the month in Lepus at magnitude 7.6. Look for
a 6.5' coma. It should fade slowly, moving into Taurus by month's end. FINDER
CHART
| Latitude |
Visibility October 31 |
Visibility November 7 |
Visibility November 14 |
Visibility November 21 |
Visibility November 28 |
Nights Visible |
| 55o
N |
Fairly high in the southern sky
in moonlight at ~02:40 |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~02:30 |
High at ~01:50 |
High at ~01:20 |
High in moonlight at ~01:00 |
1- |
| 40o
N |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~02:40 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~22:20 |
High at ~01:50 |
High at ~01:20 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during morning twilight at ~05:50 |
1- |
| Equator |
High in moonlight at ~02:40 |
High at ~23:40 |
High at ~01:50 |
High at ~01:20 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during morning twilight at ~04:50 |
1- |
| 30o S |
High in moonlight at ~02:40 |
High at ~00:40 |
High at ~01:50 |
High at ~01:20 |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~01:00 |
1- |
C/2020 S3 (Erasmus): A
morning comet visible in small telescopes
This comet begins the month in Sextans at magnitude 10.0. Look
for a 4' coma. It should brighten rapidly, moving into Libra by month's end.
FINDER CHART
| Latitude |
Visibility October 31 |
Visibility November 7 |
Visibility November 14 |
Visibility November 21 |
Visibility November 28 |
Nights Visible |
| 55o
N |
Fairly high in the southern sky
during morning twilight at ~05:30 |
Low in the southern sky during
morning twilight at ~05:30 |
Very low in the southern sky
during morning twilight at ~05:40 |
Very low in the southern sky
during morning twilight at ~06:00 |
Very low in the southern sky
during morning twilight at ~06:40 |
1- |
| 40o
N |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~05:10 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~05:10 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~05:20 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~05:30 |
Very low in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~06:00 |
1- |
| Equator |
High during morning twilight at
~04:40 |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:30 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~04:30 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:30 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~05:00 |
1- |
| 30o S |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:00 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:40 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:30 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~03:30 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~03:50 |
1- |
88P/Howell: An evening
comet visible in small telescopes
This comet begins the month in Sagittarius at magnitude 8.5.
Look for a 7.5' coma. It should fade by about 1.0 magnitudes, moving into
Capricornus by month's end. FINDER
CHART
| Latitude |
Visibility October 31 |
Visibility November 7 |
Visibility November 14 |
Visibility November 21 |
Visibility November 28 |
Nights Visible |
| 55o
N |
Very low in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~17:40 |
Very low in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~17:50 |
Very low in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~17:50 |
Very low in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~17:40 |
Low in the southern sky during
evening twilight at ~17:20 |
1- |
| 40o
N |
Low in the southern sky during
evening twilight at ~18:10 |
Low in the southern sky during
evening twilight at ~18:20 |
Low in the southern sky during
evening twilight at ~18:20 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~18:10 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~18:00 |
1- |
| Equator |
High during evening twilight at
~18:50 |
High at ~19:00 |
Fairly high at ~19:10 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:00 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:00 |
1- |
| 30o S |
High during evening twilight at
~19:30 |
Fairly high at ~20:00 |
Fairly high at ~20:10 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~20:00 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~20:00 |
1- |
C/2019 N1 (ATLAS): A
morning comet visible in a 12.5-inch (32 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Virgo at magnitude 11.4. Look for
a 3' coma. It should brighten slowly. FINDER
CHART
| Latitude |
Visibility October 31 |
Visibility November 7 |
Visibility November 14 |
Visibility November 21 |
Visibility November 28 |
Nights Visible |
| 55o
N |
Not visible |
Very low in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~05:50 |
Very low in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~06:00 |
Very low in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~06:10 |
Very low in the southern sky
during morning twilight at ~06:30 |
1- |
| 40o
N |
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 ~05:30 |
Very low in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~05:30 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~06:00 |
1- |
| Equator |
Not visible |
Very low in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:50 |
Very low in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:40 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~04:30 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~05:00 |
1- |
| 30o S |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Very low in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:00 |
Very low in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:40 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~03:50 |
9- |
156P/Russell-LINEAR: An
evening comet visible in a 16-inch (41 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Aquarius at magnitude 12.0. Look
for a 6.5' coma. It should fade slowly, moving into Pisces by month's end.
FINDER CHART
| Latitude |
Visibility October 31 |
Visibility November 7 |
Visibility November 14 |
Visibility November 21 |
Visibility November 28 |
Nights Visible |
| 55o
N |
Fairly high in the southern sky
in moonlight at ~20:50 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~20:30 |
Fairly high at ~20:10 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~22:10 |
High in moonlight at ~19:30 |
1- |
| 40o
N |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~21:00 |
High at ~20:30 |
High at ~20:10 |
Fairly high at ~23:00 |
High in moonlight at ~19:30 |
1- |
| Equator |
High in moonlight at ~21:00 |
High at ~20:30 |
High at ~20:10 |
Fairly high in the western sky
at ~00:00 |
High in moonlight at ~19:30 |
1- |
| 30o S |
High in moonlight at ~21:00 |
High at ~20:30 |
High at ~20:20 |
High in moonlight at ~20:10 |
High during evening twilight at
~20:10 |
1- |
398P/Boattini: A morning
comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Eridanus at magnitude 14.7. Look
for a 1' coma. It should brighten by about 0.9 magnitudes by month's end. FINDER
CHART
| Latitude |
Visibility October 31 |
Visibility November 7 |
Visibility November 14 |
Visibility November 21 |
Visibility November 28 |
Nights Visible |
| 55o
N |
Fairly high in the southern sky
in moonlight at ~01:30 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
in moonlight at ~01:20 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~00:40 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~00:20 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
in moonlight at ~23:50 |
1- |
| 40o
N |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~01:30 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~22:20 |
Fairly high at ~00:40 |
Fairly high at ~00:20 |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~23:50 |
1- |
| Equator |
High in moonlight at ~01:40 |
High at ~23:40 |
High at ~00:40 |
High at ~00:20 |
High in moonlight at ~23:50 |
1- |
| 30o S |
High in moonlight at ~01:40 |
High at ~00:40 |
High at ~00:40 |
High at ~00:40 |
High in moonlight at ~00:00 |
1- |
Summary
Data for This Month's Telescopic Comets
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 |
November 1st
|
November 15th
|
November 30th |
Observations as
of (UT) |
| Mag |
Diam |
Mag |
Diam |
Mag |
Diam |
| C/2020 M3 (ATLAS) |
Orion |
7.6 |
6.2' |
7.5 |
6.5' |
8.0 |
5.9' |
2020 October 30 |
| 88P/Howell |
Sagittarius |
8.5 |
7.5' |
9.0 |
7.1' |
9.5 |
6.5' |
2020 October 13 |
| C/2020 S3 (Erasmus) |
Sextans |
9.9 |
3.5' |
8.8 |
3.9' |
7.4 |
3.7' |
2020 October 30 |
| C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) |
Libra |
11.6 |
4.6' |
11.9 |
4.4' |
12.2 |
4.2' |
2020 September 10 |
| 156P/Russell-LINEAR |
Aquarius |
12.0 |
6.6' |
12.1 |
6.2' |
12.4 |
5.5' |
2020 October 30 |
| C/2019 N1 (ATLAS) |
Virgo |
12.2 |
3.1' |
12.1 |
3.3' |
11.9 |
3.4' |
2020 August 22 |
| C/2020 Q1 (Borisov) |
Vulpecula |
13.2 |
43" |
14.0 |
34" |
14.8 |
28" |
2020 October 17 |
| C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) |
Libra |
13.2 |
2.2' |
13.8 |
2.1' |
14.3 |
2.0' |
2020 September 27 |
| C/2020 P1 (NEOWISE) |
Bootes |
13.5 |
1.5' |
15.5 |
1.1' |
17.1 |
57" |
2020 October 28 |
| C/2019 U6 (Lemmon) |
Hercules |
13.5 |
4.3' |
14.0 |
4.0' |
14.4 |
3.7' |
2020 October 22 |
| C/2019 L3 (ATLAS) |
Cassiopeia |
14.3 |
45" |
14.2 |
46" |
14.1 |
46" |
2020 October 22 |
| 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann |
Aries |
14.4 |
1.3' |
14.4 |
1.3' |
14.4 |
1.3' |
2020 October 28 |
| 398P/Boattini |
Eridanus |
14.7 |
53" |
14.2 |
60" |
13.8 |
1.1' |
2020 October 25 |
| C/2018 N2 (ASASSN) |
Draco |
14.8 |
1.7' |
14.9 |
1.7' |
15.1 |
1.7' |
2020 October 29 |
| C/2020 J1 (SONEAR) |
Ara |
14.9 |
20" |
14.9 |
19" |
14.9 |
19" |
2020 October 19 |
| C/2020 F5 (MASTER) |
Pavo |
14.9 |
26" |
14.9 |
25" |
15.0 |
25" |
2020 October 13 |
| C/2018 F4 (PANSTARRS) |
Fornax |
15.1 |
41" |
15.2 |
40" |
15.3 |
38" |
2020 October 10 |
| C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) |
Hercules |
15.3 |
36" |
15.2 |
36" |
15.1 |
37" |
2020 October 25 |
| C/2017 B3 (LINEAR) |
Pisces |
15.5 |
47" |
15.6 |
45" |
15.8 |
43" |
2020 October 13 |
*In solar
conjunction and generally not visible
For information about specific comets
see Gary W. Kronk's Cometography
Further reading: see Comet Chasing,
Sky & Telescope, April 2005, pg. 83.
Make your own custom charts for your location
and telescope/binoculars: software for
visual comet observing
New: software
for comet imaging
