Comet in September 2012

From Central Europe this month no eye-catching comet can be seen. Telescopically but nearly every night some objects outside a brightness of 10 to find size. For 2013 we can hope for the comet C/2011 L4 (Pan-STARRS). He has to be the makings of a comet of the decade. He is expected to see the January to May 2013 by the naked eye. In September is its brightness but only 12th Size - unfortunately he is also only observed again in 2013 from Central Europe.

Should also light the comet C/2012 F6 be. In May / June 2013 he is expected to be a binocular object in the early morning sky. He is currently at 16 Size available only professionally equipped amateurs.

Comet C/2011 L4 (Pan-STARRS)

In June 2011, discovered the 1.8m Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii an object with a brightness of only just 19 ½ size. It was a previously unknown comet. Investigations showed that the comet was photographed a few weeks ago, but was not recognized as a new object. At these times, the comet was at a distance from the Sun of 7.9-times the solar Erdabstands (astronomical units, AU), that already within Saturn's orbit.

Our current calculations after he is on 11 March 2013 the perihelion pass, where he will stay with a solar distance of 0.3 AU within the orbit of Mercury. He gets close to Earth on 5 March 2013, where he is we have pretty much the same as near the sun. The maximum brightness is expected -1 to -6. Size reaches. It is thus not nearly as bright as Comet Lovejoy in December 2011 (maximum -13 ½ size), but it could be around the year 2012/2013, a binocular object and from March to May 2013 just to see by the naked eye. And this, in contrast to Comet Lovejoy, high in our Central European night sky.

In September 2012, the comet C/2011 L4 brightness of 11.-12. Size on and is too low in our sky to be observable. He only appeared once again in March 2013 on our nightly horizon.

Recent forecasts from the comet ephemeris and brightness Pan-STARRS (C/2011 L4) (CalSky.com)

Star charts from the comet Pan-STARRS (C/2011 L4) (CalSky.com)

Comet C/2012 F6 (Lemmon)

On 23 March 2012 was the Mount Lemmon Survey discovered an object that behaved like an asteroid, it was as a new asteroid published. Other photographs showed, however, a slightly diffuse, elliptical object - this would be at the range for an asteroid is not possible, there are comet-typical symptoms. Since the object is passed as comet C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) (announced in CBET 3070).

On 24 March 2013 should C/2012 F6 through the perihelion. He will approach it in the sun to 0.7AE. In our calculations, he could between 1st and 2nd class size are bright, so be good to see with the naked eye.

However, the comet moves in February just past the south celestial pole, and only appeared in May 2013 at the Central European morning sky. He probably in May and June 2013, a beautiful object, the observation may be with binoculars.