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Skyhound's Guide to Comets Skyhound's Guide to Finding Comets BAA Comet Section Astronomical Headlines (IAU) Cometography |
Comet
Chasing in September
Comet chasing is the visual
observation of telescopic comets.
C/2008 A1 (McNaught) and 6P/d'Arrest are visible in binoculars
17P Holmes is coming out of conjunction with the Sun
Comet
Synopses for September
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 to the naked eye 17P/Holmes: A morning
comet visible in binoculars? 6P/d'Arrest: An evening
comet visible in binoculars 19P/Borrelly: A northern
hemisphere morning comet visible in small telescopes C/2006 OF2 (Broughton): A
morning comet visible in small telescopes C/2006 W3 (Christensen): A
northern hemisphere morning comet visible in small telescopes C/2007 W1 (Boattini): A
morning comet visible in small telescopes C/2007 N3 (Lulin): An
evening comet visible in small telescopes C/2008 J1 (Boattini): A
far-northern evening comet visible in small telescopes C/2007 G1 (LINEAR): A
southern hemisphere evening comet visible in a 6-inch telescope 15P/Finlay: A morning
comet visible in a 10-inch telescope C/2005 L3 (McNaught): An
evening comet visible in a 10-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Centaurus at magnitude 6.0. Look
for a 7.3' coma. It should brighten slowly, moving into Libra by month's end.
The best visibility is mid-month as seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 30
Visibility September 6
Visibility September 13
Visibility September 20
Visibility September 27
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
Very low in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~19:00
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:00
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~18:50
Low in the western sky at
~19:10
Fairly high in the western sky
at ~19:10
1-
30o S
Fairly high in the western sky
at ~19:10
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:00
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:00
Fairly high in the western sky
at ~19:20
Fairly high in the western sky
at ~19:30
1-
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 although I have not yet seen
any confirmed sightings.. 17P begins the month in Cancer, perhaps at magnitude
7.5. Look for a very large and diffuse coma over a degree in extent. It should
remain constant. FINDER
CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 30
Visibility September 6
Visibility September 13
Visibility September 20
Visibility September 27
Nights Visible
55o
N
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~02:40
Low in the eastern sky at
~03:00
Not visible
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~03:50
Fairly high at ~03:40
1-
40o
N
Low in the eastern sky at
~03:40
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~03:50
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:30
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:20
Fairly high at ~04:10
1-
Equator
Low in the eastern sky at
~04:40
Low in the eastern sky at
~04:40
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~05:00
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:50
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~04:30
1-
30o S
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Very low in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:30
9-12, 21-
This comet begins the month in Microscopium at magnitude 8.2.
Look for a 1.9' coma. It should fade rapidly, moving into Grus by month's end.
The best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern
hemisphere. FINDER CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 30
Visibility September 6
Visibility September 13
Visibility September 20
Visibility September 27
Nights Visible
55o
N
Very low in the southern sky at
~22:10
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
1-3
40o
N
Low in the southern sky at
~22:10
Low in the southern sky at
~22:00
Low in the southern sky in
moonlight at ~21:50
Low in the southern sky at
~20:50
Low in the southern sky at
~21:30
1-
Equator
High at ~22:10
High at ~23:10
High in moonlight at ~21:50
High at ~21:40
High at ~21:30
1-
30o S
High at ~22:10
High at ~00:20
High in moonlight at ~21:50
High at ~21:40
High at ~21:30
1-
This comet begins the month in Cancer at magnitude 9.4. Look for
a 8.0' coma. It should fade by about 1.0 magnitudes, moving into Leo Minor by
month's end. FINDER CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 30
Visibility September 6
Visibility September 13
Visibility September 20
Visibility September 27
Nights Visible
55o
N
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~02:50
Low in the eastern sky at
~03:00
Not visible
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:50
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~03:40
1-13, 17-
40o
N
Low in the eastern sky at
~03:40
Low in the eastern sky at
~03:50
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:30
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:20
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~04:20
1-13, 17-
Equator
Low in the eastern sky at
~04:40
Low in the eastern sky at
~04:40
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~05:00
Not visible
Low in the eastern sky at
~04:40
1-13, 19-
30o S
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
This comet begins the month in Camelopardus at magnitude 10.3.
Look for a 4.5' coma. It should brighten slowly. FINDER
CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 30
Visibility September 6
Visibility September 13
Visibility September 20
Visibility September 27
Nights Visible
55o
N
High at ~02:30
High at ~02:40
High during morning twilight at
~04:10
High during morning twilight at
~03:40
High at ~03:30
1-
40o
N
High at ~03:40
High at ~03:40
High during morning twilight at
~04:30
Low in the northern sky at
~20:50
High at ~04:00
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 ~04:40
Fairly high at ~04:30
1-
30o S
Very low in the northern sky at
~05:00
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
1-5
This comet begins the month in Camelopardus at magnitude 10.4.
Look for a 5.3' coma. It should brighten slowly, moving into Cassiopeia by
month's end. FINDER CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 30
Visibility September 6
Visibility September 13
Visibility September 20
Visibility September 27
Nights Visible
55o
N
High at ~02:20
High at ~02:30
High in moonlight at ~00:50
High in moonlight at ~03:30
High at ~01:30
1-
40o
N
High at ~03:30
High at ~03:30
High during morning twilight at
~04:30
Fairly high at ~20:50
High at ~01:30
1-
Equator
Low in the northern sky at
~04:30
Low in the northern sky at
~04:20
Low in the northern sky during
morning twilight at ~05:00
Very low in the northern sky at
~22:40
Low in the northern sky at
~01:30
1-13, 19-
30o S
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
This comet begins the month in Aries at magnitude 9.6. Look for
a 5.6' coma. It should fade rapidly, moving into Pisces by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 30
Visibility September 6
Visibility September 13
Visibility September 20
Visibility September 27
Nights Visible
55o
N
High at ~02:20
High at ~02:30
High during morning twilight at
~04:10
High in moonlight at ~01:50
High at ~00:50
1-16, 18-
40o
N
High at ~03:20
High at ~02:50
High during morning twilight at
~04:30
Fairly high at ~20:50
High at ~00:50
1-16, 18-
Equator
High at ~03:30
High at ~02:50
High during morning twilight at
~05:00
High at ~22:40
High at ~00:50
1-16, 18-
30o S
Fairly high at ~03:30
Fairly high at ~02:50
Not visible
Fairly high at ~23:50
Fairly high at ~00:50
1-15, 18-
This comet begins the month in Ophiuchus at magnitude 10.6. Look
for a 2.1' coma. It should brighten slowly. The best visibility is early in the
month as seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 30
Visibility September 6
Visibility September 13
Visibility September 20
Visibility September 27
Nights Visible
55o
N
Very low in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~21:00
Very low in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~20:40
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
1-8, 20-25
40o
N
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~20:20
Low in the western sky at
~21:30
Fairly high in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~19:20
Low in the southern sky at
~19:30
Low in the western sky at
~19:20
1-
Equator
High at ~19:30
Low in the western sky at
~23:10
High during evening twilight at
~19:00
High at ~19:10
High at ~19:10
1-
30o S
High at ~19:20
High in moonlight at ~19:10
High during evening twilight at
~19:00
High at ~19:20
High at ~19:30
1-
This comet begins the month in Ursa Minor at magnitude 10.4.
Look for a 4.9' coma. It should fade slowly, moving into Camelopardus by month's
end. FINDER CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 30
Visibility September 6
Visibility September 13
Visibility September 20
Visibility September 27
Nights Visible
55o
N
High at ~22:00
High at ~21:30
High in moonlight at ~21:10
High in moonlight at ~03:40
High at ~20:20
1-
40o
N
High at ~20:40
Fairly high at ~21:30
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:30
Fairly high at ~19:50
Fairly high at ~19:40
1-
Equator
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
30o S
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
This comet begins the month in Lupus at magnitude 11.7. Look for
a 2.6' coma. It should fade slowly. The best visibility is early in the month as
seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 30
Visibility September 6
Visibility September 13
Visibility September 20
Visibility September 27
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 at ~19:20
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:10
Not visible
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~19:10
Low in the southern sky at
~19:10
1-14, 16-
30o S
High at ~19:10
High during evening twilight at
~19:10
High during evening twilight at
~19:00
High at ~19:20
Fairly high at ~19:30
1-
This comet begins the month in Gemini at magnitude 11.7. Look
for a 2.3' coma. It should fade by about 0.8 magnitudes, moving into Cancer by
month's end. FINDER CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 30
Visibility September 6
Visibility September 13
Visibility September 20
Visibility September 27
Nights Visible
55o
N
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~02:40
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~03:00
Not visible
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~03:50
Fairly high at ~03:40
1-13, 16-
40o
N
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~03:40
Fairly high at ~03:50
High during morning twilight at
~04:30
High during morning twilight at
~04:20
High at ~04:10
1-13, 15-
Equator
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~04:40
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~04:40
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~05:00
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:50
Fairly high at ~04:30
1-13, 16-
30o S
Low in the eastern sky at
~05:00
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~04:50
Not visible
Not visible
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~04:20
1-12, 21-
This comet begins the month in Bootes at magnitude 13.0. Look
for a 57" coma. It should fade slowly. FINDER
CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 30
Visibility September 6
Visibility September 13
Visibility September 20
Visibility September 27
Nights Visible
55o
N
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~21:20
Fairly high in the western sky
at ~21:00
Not visible
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:50
Fairly high in the western sky
at ~19:50
1-
40o
N
Fairly high at ~20:20
Low in the western sky at
~21:30
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:30
Fairly high in the western sky
at ~19:40
Fairly high in the western sky
at ~19:20
1-
Equator
High at ~19:20
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:10
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:00
Fairly high in the western sky
at ~19:10
Low in the western sky at
~19:10
1-
30o S
Fairly high in the western sky
at ~19:10
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:00
Not visible
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:10
Not visible
1-13, 16-27
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 |
September 1st |
September 15th |
September 30th |
Observations as of (UT) | |||
| Mag | Diam | Mag | Diam | Mag | Diam | |||
| C/2008 A1 (McNaught) | Centaurus | 6.0 | 7.5' | 5.7 | 7.4' | 5.8 | 6.8' | 2008 August 31 |
| 17P/Holmes | Cancer | 7.5? | 60'? | 7.6? | 60'? | 7.6? | 60'? | 2008 April 24 |
| 6P/d'Arrest | Microscopium | 8.2 | 1.9' | 9.0 | 1.6' | 10.1 | 1.3' | 2008 August 28 |
| 19P/Borrelly | Cancer | 9.4 | 8.0' | 9.8 | 8.0' | 10.4 | 8.1' | 2008 August 28 |
| C/2007 W1 (Boattini) | Aries | 9.6 | 5.8' | 10.4 | 5.2' | 11.2 | 4.4' | 2008 August 28 |
| C/2006 OF2 (Broughton) | Camelopardus | 10.3 | 4.1' | 10.1 | 4.3' | 10.0 | 4.5' | 2008 August 28 |
| C/2008 J1 (Boattini) | Ursa Minor | 10.4 | 4.9' | 10.6 | 4.8' | 10.8 | 4.8' | 2008 August 21 |
| C/2006 W3 (Christensen) | Camelopardus | 10.4 | 5.1' | 10.2 | 5.4' | 10.0 | 5.8' | 2008 August 28 |
| C/2007 N3 (Lulin) | Ophiuchus | 10.6 | 2.1' | 10.5 | 1.9' | 10.4 | 1.7' | 2008 August 23 |
| C/2007 G1 (LINEAR) | Lupus | 11.7 | 2.6' | 11.7 | 2.4' | 11.8 | 2.3' | 2008 August 4 |
| 15P/Finlay | Gemini | 11.7 | 2.4' | 12.1 | 2.3' | 12.5 | 2.3' | 2008 August 9 |
| C/2006 Q1 (McNaught) | Virgo | 12? | 1.2? | 12.5? | 1.2'? | 12.5? | 1.2'? | 2008 July 22 |
| C/2005 L3 (McNaught) | Bootes | 13.0 | 56" | 13.1 | 55" | 13.1 | 53" | 2008 August 9 |
| C/2007 B2 (Skiff) | Virgo | 13.7 | 20" | 13.8 | 19" | 13.9 | 19" | 2008 May 8 |
| C/2008 C1 (Chen-Gao) | Vela | 14.3 | 2.4' | 14.7 | 2.3' | 15.1 | 2.1' | 2008 May 12 |
| P/2008 J2 (Beshore) | Ophiuchus | 14.3 | 23" | 14.6 | 21" | 14.8 | 19" | 2008 July 21 |
| 47P/Ashbrook-Jackson | Microscopium | 14.7 | 29" | 14.7 | 28" | 14.7 | 26" | 2008 August 10 |
*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 |
