January 2010 Observing Guide

Hi all,

Some close encounters for the two featured comets this month are below.

www.aerith.net/comet/rendezvous/current.html

Date (UT) Dist. (deg) Comet Mag. Target Type Mag. Con
Jan. 9 6h 0.89 C/2007 Q3 ( Siding Spring ) 9.3 NGC 5466 globular 9.1 Boo
Jan. 10 6h 2.07 81P/Wild 2 10.3 NGC 4517 galaxy 10.5 Vir
Jan. 15 20h 2.43 81P/Wild 2 10.2 NGC 4666 galaxy 10.8 Vir
Jan. 18 1h 0.43 81P/Wild 2 10.1 NGC 4684 galaxy 12.4 Vir
Jan. 18 19h 0.09 81P/Wild 2 10.1 NGC 4691 galaxy 11.2 Vir
Jan. 20 7h 2.43 81P/Wild 2 10.1 NGC 4697 galaxy 9.3 Vir
Jan. 21 6h 1.98 C/2007 Q3 ( Siding Spring ) 9.4 NGC 5533 galaxy 11.8 Boo
Jan. 25 2h 0.46 81P/Wild 2 10.0 NGC 4890 galaxy 12.7 Vir
Jan. 27 6h 1.14 81P/Wild 2 9.9 NGC 4941 galaxy 11.1 Vir

2010 BC - Apollo Asteroid

Discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey at 0622 UT on 16 Jan(with confirmation data sent by J41 and J16)

This small (~123m in diameter) asteroid will come within 7LD of earth on the 24th Jan. Gets to mag 15.5 on the 23rd.