Circular 2003/2
1. Comets
The following comets should be visible in the coming months:
Comet 2P Encke
This comet is brightening rapidly, currently about magnitude 8, on its way to perihelion on December 29. It is fairly large and diffuse, as was the case on its last apparition, and may be best seen in binoculars and rich field telescopes. It is currently in Cygnus, and moves rapidly sunwards, moving into Ophiuchus by end November 2003. Observe it now while the moon is out of the way.
Orbital elements:
T=2003 12 29.8794
q=0.33852
e=0.84731
i=11.770
node=334.5939
peri=186.4893
Comet Tabur C/2003 T3
This comet is currently magnitude 11-12 located in Telescopium. It spends most of December crossing Microscopium. It reaches perihelion in April 2004, when it may reach magnitude 8, but will be a northern object at declination +30, and remains too near the sun for effective observation. It passes too far north for observation from here after perihelion.
Orbital elements:
T=2004 04 28.9316
q=1.479945
e=1.000
i=50.4310
node=347.0786
peri=43.7939
Comet LINEAR C/2002 T7
This comet is currently about magnitude 9.8. It was discovered by the Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid team on 2002 October 14. It is travelling in a retrograde orbit, reaching perihelion on 2004 April 23, at a distance of 0.61 AU, located near the Circlet of Pisces. With an elongation of 33° from the sun, it rises at around 04h05 local time, and the new moon on April 19 will favour observation. The comet should be about magnitude 2 at this time if current predictions hold.
The comet should start 2004 at magnitude 8-9 crossing Pisces and Pegasus. On the night of February 12/13 it passes less than half a degree from gamma Pegasi. During March the comet plunges into the glare from the sun. As April progresses the comet increases in elongation from the sun from 12° at the beginning of the month to 38° by month end, probably increasing in brightness from magnitude 4 to 2 in the same period. But brighter prospects occur after perihelion on April 23.
The comet is closest to earth on 2004 May 19, at a distance of only 0.27 AU. Located in northern Eridanus, the comet will be at an elongation of 40° from the sun, setting at around 19h20 local time and possibly magnitude 1 or perhaps slightly brighter. As May progresses the comet climbs higher in the evening sky, crossing Lepus, Canis Major, Puppis and into Hydra. By month end it should still be magnitude 2-3, located over 70° from the sun and setting around 23h00 local time. The comet will probably be followed until about August visually.
Orbital elements:
T=2004 04 23.0724
q=0.61445
e=1.000
i=160.5794
node=94.8535
peri=157.743
Comet NEAT C/2001 Q4
This comet is currently about magnitude 11. It was discovered on 2001 August 24 and appears to be a newcomer from the Oort Cloud. As such any predictions in brightness should be taken with caution. Best estimates indicate the comet should start 2004 at about magnitude 9, located about 15° from the South Celestial Pole. The comet will be well placed in the far south to watch it slowly brightening. During April the comet crosses Reticulum, Dorado and Pictor, passing just a few degrees from Canopus at month end, by which time the comet may be magnitude 2. The comet passes closest to earth on 2004 May 7 at a distance of 0.32 AU, located in Canis Major, elongation 75° from the sun, and sets around 23h10 local time. The comet may be at magnitude 1 at this time and located close to the open clusters M46 and M47. The 90% moon rises around 20h00 local time. Perihelion occurs a week later on 2004 May 15, distance 0.96 AU. The comet will be located in Cancer close to the open cluster M44, elongation 71° from the sun, and sets around 22h30 local time. New moon occurs on May 19, and thus favours observation. The comet heads northwards during June and will be unfavourably placed to watch it fade.
Orbital elements:
T=2004 05 15.9375
q=0.9620
e=1.000
i=99.6385
node=210.269
peri=1.1993
2. Meteor showers
The following meteor showers can be observed:
No storm activity is expected from the Leonids this year. Two peaks of perhaps 50/hour are predicted for the mornings of November 13 and 19, but in both cases during daylight hours for us. The best prospects maybe on the morning of November 19 immediately before dawn, as we approach the second peak. I suggest you observe on the mornings of 17-19, at least to set some base results even if nothing spectacular occurs.
Conditions for the Geminids are not favourable, with maximum on December 14 spoiled by a 78% moon located in nearby Leo.
The alpha Crucids in January are favourable. Maximum occurs about the morning of January 19 from a radiant at 12h48, -63. This shower has received sporadic attention from our members in the past, but all seem to agree the meteors are mainly bright and white. The activity is always low, with ZHR up to about 5/hr.
The next favourable shower after this will be the April Lyrids.
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