* * * * * 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3_B * * * * *

Year Mn Day MM Mag Ref Scope Pwr coma DC tail p.a. Obs Site 2006 8 22.78 S[12.6 AU 40.0L 144 !0.8 YOS Kita-karuizawa, Gunma (I tried to observe it after a blank of three months. But it is already too faint to see. The limiting magnitude is brighter than the brightness of the component C itself, possibly due to the morning glow.) 2006 7 28.05 I[11.8 AC 41.0L 72 RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 7 26.10 S 14.0:HS 40.7L 116 2.0 2 BIV Valdrôme 2006 6 7.77 S 9.2 AA 10.0B 25 1.0 240 SEA Cowra, NSW (Comet was just detected in 6x35B as a very faint 'stain' on the background sky, in strong contrast to 73P-C which was easily visible. Diffuse and featureless in 25.4-cmL at 71x. Comet was considerably fainter than on June 1.) 2006 6 6.75 S 9.1 AA 10.0B 25 1.0 240 SEA Cowra, NSW 2006 6 1.82 S 7.6 AA 5.0B 10 SEA The Entrance, NSW (The difference in brightness between C & B appeared a lot less in 10x50B than in 25x100B. B appeared significantly brighter in 10x50B.) 2006 5 31.78 S 8.4 AA 10.0B 25 4 1.3 245 SEA The Entrance, NSW 2006 5 28.74 S 7.3 AA 5.0B 10 SEA The Entrance, NSW (An unusual spectacle; two relatively bright comets visible in the same binocular field!) 2006 5 26.13 S 6.5 TK 5.0B 7 10 4 GON Alto del Castro - Aralla, León (Observation made at the beginning of the morning astronomical twilight. Altitude: 7 deg.) 2006 5 26.12 S 6.9 TK 10.0B 25 7 5 0.3 250 GON Alto del Castro - Aralla, León (Mountain location, very clear sky. Comparison stars at the same low altitude [4 deg.] as the comet.) 2006 5 24.77 B 6.9 AA 10.0B 25 4 1.3 248 SEA The Entrance, NSW (Both comets possessed distinct central condensations, however the cc of B appeared 'softer' than that of C.) 2006 5 20.12 S 6.6 TK 5.0B 7 18 4 0.8 250 BIV Granada, Spain 2006 5 19.07 M 6.5 TK 10.0B 25 5 7 0.4 260 GON Alto del Castro - Aralla, León (Moonlight interference. Comparison stars at the same low altitude [11 deg.] as the comet.) 2006 5 19.05 M 5.8 TK 5.0B 7 10 6 0.7 260 GON Alto del Castro - Aralla, León (Observed during moonrise. Comparison stars at the same low altitude [7 deg.] as the comet.) 2006 5 18.77 S 7.6 AA 8.0B 15 SEA Cowra, NSW (Comet much less condensed than C, but tail was of higher intensity.) 2006 5 18.14 S 6.6 TK 5.0B 7 18 4 0.7 260 BIV Pico-Veleta, Spain 2006 5 17.12 S 6.3 TK 5.0B 7 20 4 0.9 250 BIV Pico-Veleta, Spain 2006 5 15.98 M 6.2 TK 5.0B 7 11 3 GRA Fjellhamar 2006 5 15.98 M 6.4 TK 7.0R 20 8 3/ GRA Fjellhamar (A not to easy object in 7x50B, clearly harder to see than M13. Twilight, Sun 11.0 deg below horizon, but very good sky transparency. NEL ~4.5 near comet.) 2006 5 15.15 B 5.7 TK 0.0E 25 4 BIV Pico-Veleta, Spain 2006 5 15.14 S 6.2 TK 5.0B 7 20 5 0.9 250 BIV Pico-Veleta, Spain 2006 5 14.11 S 5.8 TK 5.0B 7 20 5 1.0 250 BIV Pico-Veleta, Spain 2006 5 13.98 M 5.6 TK 5.0B 7 12 3 0.5 GRA Fjellhamar 2006 5 13.98 M 5.8 TK 7.0R 20 10 3/ 0.6 250 GRA Fjellhamar (Quite bright tail. Twilight and low moon, but transparent sky. NEL 5.0.) 2006 5 13.11 S 5.9 TK 5.0B 7 20 5 0.8 245 BIV Pico-Veleta, Spain 2006 5 12.00 M 5.5 TK 5.0B 7 15 4/ GRA Fjellhamar 2006 5 11.14 I 5.2 TK 0.0E 1 10 7 GON Santa María del Páramo, León (Some moonlight interference, half an hour before moonset.) 2006 5 11.09 B 5.3 TK 0.0E 10 6 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 5 11.07 S 5.7 TK 5.0B 7 13 6 0.8 240 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 5 11.069 S 4.9 TK 6.0B 12 7 6 LOO Genk 2006 5 11.02 M 5.3 TK 5.0B 7 8 6 0.3 245 GON Santa María del Páramo, León (Moonlight interference.) 2006 5 11.004 M 5.3 TK 5.0B 7 10 5/ BOU Groningen (Moonlight. Comet less condensed, but over the last 48h the inner coma has become larger and brighter. Hence the total brightness shows little change.) 2006 5 11.00 M 5.1 TK 5.0B 7 15 5/ GRA Fjellhamar 2006 5 11.00 N 8.5 TK 7.0R 20 11 6 0.5 245 GRA Fjellhamar (With 7.0-cmR, V-shaped inner coma; first part of tail was rather bright; the 'N' magnitude refers to a nearly stellar cc. NEL ~4.8.) 2006 5 10.97 S 5.9:TK 5.0B 7 12 6 BIV 2006 5 10.906 M 5.5 TK 5.0B 7 10 7 DIJ Noorddijk (Moonlight. Comet also visible with naked eye.) 2006 5 10.040 M 5.4 TK 5.0B 7 9 7/ BOU Groningen (Moonlight, but comet easily visible a couple of degrees from α Lyrae.) 2006 5 9.97 M 4.9 TK 5.0B 7 15 6 GRA Fjellhamar (Not seen naked eye, but observed in opera glasses with ~2.5x at in focus mag. 5.0 [ref. TK]. Moon, twilight and somewhat hazy. NEL 4.8.) 2006 5 9.97 M 5.4 TK 5.0B 7 15 6 SKI Hønefoss (Brighter than M13. Coma appeared fan-shaped in 12.0-cmR at 40x and 111x. NEL 4.7.) 2006 5 9.895 M 5.6 TK 5.0B 7 10 8 DIJ Groningen 2006 5 9.00 M 5.4 TK 5.0B 7 10 7/ GRA Fjellhamar (Component B was undergoing a major outburst, and appeared much brighter and more condensed than until two nights ago; it was brighter than M13 and just not visible to naked eye; an apperently stellar cc was of mag. ~7.0 [TK]. Observation somewhat affected by haze, Moon and astronomical twilight. NEL 5.2.) 2006 5 8.97 M 5.7 TK 5.0B 7 10 8 SKI Hønefoss 2006 5 8.950 M 5.9 TK 5.0B 7 7 8 DIJ Groningen (Outburst. In 15.5cmL at 80x, the nucleus seems to be elongated.) 2006 5 8.947 M 5.5 TK 5.0B 7 10 8 BOU Groningen (Moonlight, but comet easily visible; clearly in outburst. Strong cc in large faint coma. In 15.6cmL at 102x, there was an elongated cc of ~1'diameter with a nearly stellar nucleus of 8th magnitude on the sunward side.) 2006 5 7.93 S 6.5 AC 6.0B 20 12 4/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 5 7.01 M 7.4 TK 10.0R 25 9 3 GRA Fjellhamar (73P-B only barely seen due to poor transparency. NEL 4.5.) 2006 5 6.88 S 6.8 AC 6.0B 20 11 3/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 5 6.03 M 7.4 TK 10.0R 25 10 4 GRA Fjellhamar (Hazy sky, twilight. NEL ~4.8.) 2006 5 5.89 S 6.7 AC 6.0B 20 12 3/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 5 5.12 M 6.8 TK 5.0B 7 10 6 0.6 235 GON Puerto de la Magdalena, León (Mountain location, very clear sky.) 2006 5 4.97 M 7.4 TK 10.0R 25 9 4 GRA Fjellhamar (Appeared much fainter than nearby M13. Hazy sky. NEL 5.0.) 2006 5 4.917 M 7.4 TK 6.0B 15 7 4/ DIJ Groningen (Moonlight, and somewhat hazy sky. Comet appears to be slightly fainter than 2 days ago.) 2006 5 4.88 S 6.8 AC 6.0B 20 11 3/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 5 4.68 S 6.1 TJ 2.4B 10 26 6 YOS Gunma, Japan (It was fantastic to see the rendezvous with M13. The comet was fainter, but much larger than M13. So the rendezvous was really an excellent view. I could see M13 clearly with naked eyes, but the comet was not clearly visible with naked eyes.) 2006 5 4.66 S 6.2 TJ 7.0R 10 29 7 0.8 245 YOS Gunma, Japan (Finally, it became looking similar to the component C using a 0.40-m telescope. But using smaller monocular or binoculars, it looked very large, diffuse and nebulous, completely different from the component C. It became extremely large. Very natural as a comet approaching towards Earth.) 2006 5 4.10 S 7.1 TK 5.0B 7 15 4 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 5 3.87 S 6.6 AC 0.7E 1 15 4 RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 5 3.86 S 6.8 AC 6.0B 20 12 5/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 5 3.66 S 6.0 TJ 2.4B 10 33 3/ YOS Gunma, Japan 2006 5 3.65 S 6.4 TJ 7.0R 10 26 7 0.7 230 YOS Gunma, Japan (Another outburst occurred during my stay. Even using smaller monocular or binoculars, the central condensation had been getting stronger day by day.) 2006 5 3.05 S 6.4 TK 5.0B 10 18 5 0.7 230 GIL Thalfang, Hunsrück, Germany (Fragment B *not* visible with the naked eye.) 2006 5 3.007 M 6.8 TK 3.0B 8 14 3 KRI Schierling 2006 5 2.966 M 7.0 TK 5.0B 7 12 5 BOU Thesinge (Faint nearly stellar cc on the sunward side of large faint coma. With 15x80B, tail 0.5 deg. in p.a. 235 deg.) 2006 5 2.965 M 7.3 TK 6.0B 15 8 5/ DIJ Groningen 2006 5 2.959 S 7.2 TK 6.0B 12 9 4 LOO Genk 2006 5 2.932 M 7.5 TK 30.5T 56 & 8 5/ 0.3 COM Roden 2006 5 2.73 S 7.1 TJ 2.4B 10 20 4/ YOS Gunma, Japan 2006 5 2.73 S 6.8 TJ 7.0R 10 19 6 0.6 250 YOS Gunma, Japan (It became very large and moderately condensed. Using a 0.40-m telescope, a bright stellar nucleus was evidently visible, which was not visible two days ago.) 2006 5 2.035 S 8.0 TK 6.0B 12 4 2 LOO Genk 2006 5 2.03 S 7.6 TK 5.0B 7 10 3 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 5 1.02 S 7.0 TK 5.0B 7 12 S4 GON Aralla, León 2006 4 30.968 M 7.3 TK 6.0B 15 8 4/ DIJ Groningen 2006 4 30.69 S 7.1 TJ 2.4B 10 14 3 YOS Gunma, Japan 2006 4 30.68 S 7.1 TJ 7.0R 10 13 3/ 0.5 230 YOS Gunma, Japan (It was still diffuse and the central condensation was weak. The coma looked elongated, as if it were in disruption. The nucleus was not so sharp even using a 0.40-m telescope. On the contrary, it looked somewhat elongated.) 2006 4 30.57 S 8.8 AA 10.0B 25 SEA The Entrance, NSW 2006 4 29.933 M 7.5 TK 6.0B 15 8 5 BOU Sint Annen (In 31-cmJ at 109x, very asymmetric coma; strong central condensation was seen at top of a triangular dustfan some 30 deg. wide centered around the tail axis in the antisolar direction. Tail rather broad and faint.) 2006 4 29.928 M 7.4 TK 6.0B 15 10 5/ 0.4 211 DIJ Sint Annen 2006 4 29.92 S 8.2 TK 5.0B 7 8 4 BIV La Couyère observatory, near Rennes 2006 4 29.865 S 8.0 TK 8.0B 15 &10 5 0.5 COM Roden 2006 4 29.04 S 7.2 TK 5.0B 7 12 3 GON Alto del Trichero - Soto y Amío, León 2006 4 28.963 S 8.4 TK 25.0L 53 1 3 0.1 LOO Genk 2006 4 28.96 S 8.5 TK 40.7L 58 3.5 5 0.35 230 BIV La Couyère observatory, near Rennes 2006 4 28.94 S 7.5 TK 5.0B 7 10 4 BIV La Couyère observatory, near Rennes 2006 4 28.91 S 7.6 TK 10.0B 25 8 S4 0.3 230 GON Alto del Trichero - Soto y Amío, León (Component B in evolution after the recent new outburst.) 2006 4 28.00 M 7.4 TK 10.0R 25 11 7/ 0.3 220 GRA Fjellhamar 2006 4 28.00 N 10.0 TK 10.0R 25 GRA Fjellhamar 2006 4 28.00 M 7.1 TK 5.0B 7 12 3/ GRA Fjellhamar (73P-B was easily visible with 7x50B, but the central condensation was not detected, hence the much lower DC estimate; binocular visibility of 73P-B was comparable to M81. With 10.0-cmR, a bright and strongly condensed inner coma was surrounded by a faint and much larger coma of more uniform brightness; the m2 estimate refers to an apparently stellar central condensation in the middle of the inner coma. With 20.3-cmT at 83x, only the inner coma was visible; it was of total magnitude ~8.5 [TK] and ~3' in diameter. These observations were made under a transparent sky. NEL ~6.0.) 2006 4 27.976 S 8.2 TK 6.0B 15 4.5 4/ DIJ Groningen 2006 4 27.938 M 7.9 TK 8.0B 15 7.5 7 BOU Sint Annen (Strong central condensation in relatively faint coma. In 25.4-cmJ at 125x cc not quite stellar, but irregular in shape. Secondary condensation seen as a faint smudge in the antisolar direction.) 2006 4 27.54 S 7.6 AA 3.5B 6 SEA Cowra, NSW (Comet clearly in outburst. Very bright near-stellar central condensation in 25x100B and tail visible for possibly 0.5 degrees.) 2006 4 27.000 M 9.0 TK 30.5T 56 & 3 8/ COM Roden (Comet with nice tail ~10', broader at the end; very stellar coma.) 2006 4 27.00 S 8.6 TK 40.7L 58 4.5 6 0.4 220 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 4 26.99 S 8.0 TK 5.0B 7 8 5 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 4 26.980 S 8.9 TK 15.0L 50 3.0 7 DIJ Groningen 2006 4 26.940 M 8.4 TK 15.6L 29 4 7/ BOU Groningen (Comet clearly experiencing another ourburst; strong central condensation asymmetrically placed [roughly in solar direction] in faint coma.) 2006 4 26.85 S 7.9 AC 6.0B 20 4.0 6 RES Szamotuly-Galowo (In 0.41-m considerably more condensed than last night. The small component nearby [AQ] visible. Tail 0.4 deg in p.a. 235 deg.) 2006 4 25.92 S 8.0 AC 6.0B 20 4.5 3 RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 4 25.54 S 9.3 AA 10.0B 25 SEA Cowra, NSW (Very elongated in 25.4L at 71X. No obvious central condensation.) 2006 4 25.03 S 8.7 TK 10.0R 40 5 2/ GRA Fjellhamar (Hard to see in 10.0-cm R due to hazy sky; 73P-B was not visible with x25. NEL = 4.8.) 2006 4 25.01 S 9.1 TK 40.7L 58 5 3 0.4 225 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 4 25.00 S 8.8 TK 5.0B 7 8 3 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 4 24.911 S 9.8 TK 25.0L 53 1 2 LOO Genk 2006 4 24.88 S 8.0 AC 6.0B 20 4.0 2/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 4 24.54 S 9.5 AA 10.0B 25 SEA Cowra, NSW 2006 4 23.86 S 8.1 AC 6.0B 20 3.5 2/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 4 22.99 S 9.3 TK 40.7L 58 5 2 0.25 225 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 4 22.97 S 9.1 TK 5.0B 7 6 2 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 4 22.91 S 8.4 TK 10.0B 25 4 3 0.3 230 GON Alto del Trichero - Soto y Amío, León 2006 4 22.02 S 8.6 TK 10.0R 25 7 2/ GRA Fjellhamar (73P-B appeared larger and of somewhat higher surface brightness than M97. NEL ~5.5.) 2006 4 21.53 S 8.9 AA 10.0B 25 SEA The Entrance, NSW (Comet appeared as a diffuse glow, very different in appearance to 73P-C on same evening.) 2006 4 21.03 S 8.5 TK 5.0B 7 8 GRA Fjellhamar 2006 4 21.03 S 8.5 TK 10.0R 25 8 2/ GRA Fjellhamar (Faint in 7x50B, fairly easily seen with the larger instrument. NEL ~6.0.) 2006 4 20.94 S 9.5 TK 40.7L 58 4 2 0.25 225 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 4 20.94 S 9.1 TK 5.0B 7 7 2 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 4 20.91 S 8.5 AC 6.0B 20 3.5 3 RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 4 19.918 S 9.4 TK 25.0L 53 1.5 2 LOO Genk 2006 4 19.91 S 8.7 AC 6.0B 20 3.5 3/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 4 19.07 S 8.6 TK 5.0B 7 6 GRA Fjellhamar 2006 4 19.07 S 8.6 TK 10.0R 25 7 2 GRA Fjellhamar (More challenging to see than on Apr. 18.05 due to a brighter sky [Sun was 13-14 deg. below horizon]. NEL ~5.5.) 2006 4 18.05 S 8.5 TK 5.0B 7 6 GRA Fjellhamar 2006 4 18.05 S 8.6 TK 15.2L 38 6 2 GRA Fjellhamar (Object faintly, but definitely seen with 7x50B. Observations of 73P-B and 73P-C were obtained under a clear and transparent Bortle class 5 sky [NEL ~6.0].) 2006 4 17.990 S 8.8 TK 15.6L 29 5 4 BOU Sint Annen (Comet still somewhat condensed, but no strong central condensation as in fragment C.) 2006 4 17.96 S 8.8 TK 40.7L 58 4 3 0.3 225 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 4 17.95 S 8.4 TK 5.0B 7 5 4 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 4 17.94 S 9.3 AC 41.0L 72 3.5 3 RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 4 17.868 S 9.7 TK 25.0L 53 2 4 LOO Genk 2006 4 17.54 S 9.6 TJ 40.0L 75 3.0 3/ YOS Ibaraki, Japan (Easy object but diffuse. The central condensation is typical, or somewhat weaker, so I could not find any sign of disruption. I could not see it at the outburst in early April. Now I could no longer find any sign of outburst. Surely fainter than the component C.) 2006 4 17.07 S 9.1 TK 15.2L 38 5 2 GRA Fjellhamar 2006 4 15.97 S 9.5 AC 41.0L 72 2.0 4 RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 4 15.89 M 9.2 TK 10.0R 25 4 3 GRA Tryvann, Oslo 2006 4 14.98 M 9.5 TK 20.3T 83 3.5 3 GRA Fjellhamar 2006 4 14.98 M 9.4 TK 10.0R 30 4 3 GRA Fjellhamar (Much less condensed than on Apr. 6.10.) 2006 4 14.853 S 9.4 TK 25.4J 58 2.7 4/ DIJ Sint Annen 2006 4 14.847 S 9.4 TK 25.4J 58 2.5 4 BOU Sint Annen 2006 4 11.18 S 9.0 TK 10.0B 25 3.0 4 GON Cubillas de Arbás, León 2006 4 11.16 M 9.5 TK 20.3T 77 2.5 5 GON Cubillas de Arbás, León (Estimates were made in strong moonlight. Mountain location, very clear sky.) 2006 4 9.99 S 9.4 AC 41.0L 72 2.3 7/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 4 8.02 S 10.0 TK 40.7L 58 2.0 6 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 4 7.01 S 9.2 AC 41.0L 72 2.2 7/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 4 6.15 B 9.9 TK 40.7L 58 4 7 0.16 240 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 4 6.10 M 9.5 TK 20.3T 83 2.0 7/ GRA Fjellhamar 2006 4 6.10 N 11.1 TK 20.3T 83 GRA Fjellhamar (An apparently stellar nucleus was surrounded by a bright inner and a faint and diffuse outer coma. NEL = 5.0 [approx.].) 2006 4 5.95 S 9.6 AC 41.0L 72 2.2 7/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo (Comet hard to estimate due to faint halo. Possible tail about 5' in length.) 2006 4 4.09 S 10.1 TK 40.7L 58 4.0 7 0.13 250 BIV2006 04 08.02 S 10.0 TK 40.7L 4 58 2.0 6 ICQ XX BIV 2006 4 3.16 M 10.8 TK 20.3T 77 3 S8 GON Alto del Trichero - Soto y Amío, León (Component B in outburst. Near-stellar central condensation [m2~11.2] with wide faint halo.) 2006 4 2.85 S 10.7 AC 41.0L 72 1.5 7/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 4 2.02 S 11.7 AC 41.0L 72 1.4 3/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 3 31.67 S 11.9 HS 40.0L 144 1.4 6 YOS Ibaraki, Japan (Already very bright. Easy to see through a 40-cm reflector. Moderately condensed and easy to see. The central condensation of component B is not so sharp as component C. No stellar nucleus was visible.) 2006 3 29.01 S 12.4 AC 41.0L 72 0.8 3 RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 3 28.07 S 12.1 TK 20.3T 77 2.0 5 GON Alto del Trichero - Soto y Amío, León 2006 3 23.955 S 12.3 AU 31.0J 89 1.6 3 DIJ Sint Annen 2006 3 23.950 S 12.5 AU 31.0J 89 1.5 4 BOU Sint Annen 2006 3 23.95 S 12.7 AC 41.0L 72 0.8 3/ RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 3 22.95 S 12.9 AC 41.0L 72 0.7 3 RES Szamotuly-Galowo 2006 3 22.933 S 12.4 AU 31.0J 89 0.8 3/ DIJ Sint Annen 2006 3 22.924 S 12.7 AU 31.0J 89 1.2 4 BOU Sint Annen 2006 3 19.97 S 13.1 HS 40.7L 116 0.8 5 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 3 18.93 S 12.8 HS 25.6L 84 0.5 5 BIV Versailles 2006 3 8.20 S 13.7 HN 20.3T 133 0.5 6 GON Bonella - Riello, León (Comparison stars taken from Henden photometry near GP Com.) 2006 3 6.21 S 14.1 HS 25.6L 169 0.5 5 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt 2006 3 5.62 S 13.8 AU 40.0L 257 0.5 5 YOS Ibaraki, Japan (Near limit due to the poor condition. Hard to see. Maybe it brightened somewhat during last week.) 2006 2 27.68 S 14.4 AU 40.0L 144 0.5 4 YOS Ibaraki, Japan (Extremely faint near limit, hard to see.) 2006 2 27.14 S 13.5 HS 40.7L 116 1.2 4 BIV Poigny-la-Forêt