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Comet 2002 Y1
Juels-Horvorcem
May 2003
Charles Juels and Paulo Holvorcem have discovered a 15th magnitude comet on CCD images taken with a 0.12-m f5 refractor on December 28.44. The preliminary orbit suggests that the comet will reach perihelion on April 15 at 0.75 AU. It is a morning object. The comet reached 6th magnitude in early April.
This object begins to recede from the Sun after perihelion on the 15th of April and passes Venus in the morning sky on the 8th of May. It is estimated be be aound 7th magnitude at this time, and should be easily visible in binoculars 9.5 degrees above the horizon at 5:00 am.
Ast the month progresses, the comet will riser higher and somewhat fade. On the 27th of May it will be situated 12.5 degrees from the 25-day-old Moon and over 25 degrees above the horizon at 5:00 am. It is estimated that it should be shining at 8th magnitude at this time.
All times quoted are Australian Eastern Standard Time, views are from Brisbane.