Comet Catalina is now an evening object that's well placed throughout January for observers at northern locations. For some weeks now the comet has shone between 6th and 7th magnitude; not quite bright enough to be seen with the naked eye but within the range of binoculars and telescopes. On January 17th, it makes its closest approach to Earth at 0.72 AU (108 million kilometres or 67 million miles). It's a shame it's not nearer but nevertheless a peak magnitude of +6.2 is predicted. After that Catalina will continue on its long journey to the far reaches of the Solar System. Although remaining superbly placed from Northern latitudes, its best days are then behind it. Catch it soon before it disappears forever!

Location and star charts

At the start of the year, Catalina passed less than a degree west of bright orange star Arcturus (mag. -0.04). On January 8th it moves into Canes Venatici, rising before 11pm from northern temperate locations. Continuing on its almost direct northerly trajectory the comet's visibility continues to improve for northern based observers; from the middle of the month it's visible practically all night and even circumpolar from many locations. Just west of the comet on January 14th is one of the most famous galaxies in the sky, M51 the Whirlpool Galaxy (mag. +8.4). It will be interesting to compare the appearance of the two objects. Through a small scope they both should look hazy although it's predicted Catalina will be 5 times brighter.

Next stop for Catalina is Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Such a well know constellation will aid in locating the comet. On January 17th, the date of closest approach to Earth it passes between star 83 UMa (mag. + 4.6) and M101 the Pinwheel galaxy (mag. +7.9). Following that, Catalina moves through Draco and Ursa Minor before ending the month in Camelopardalis. From southern latitudes it's visible low down in morning twilight for the first half of the month, not anymore after that.

The finder charts below show the positions of Catalina from January 1st to January 22nd, 2016.

Comet Catalina (C/2013 US10) Finder Chart from January 15th to January 22nd, 2016 - pdf format (credit:- freestarcharts)

Comet Catalina (C/2013 US10) Finder Chart from January 9th to January 16th, 2016 - pdf format (credit:- freestarcharts)

Comet Catalina (C/2013 US10) Finder Chart from January 1st to January 10th, 2016 - pdf format (credit:- freestarcharts)

C/2013 US10 (Catalina) Data (at epoch November 15, 2014)

(C2013/US10) Catalina Data Table

See also

Comet Catalina (C/2013 US10) moves past Kemble's Cascade during the last week of February 2016. Visible with binoculars and small telescopes from northern and tropical latitudes.
Comet Catalina (C/2013 US10) now fading as it recedes from Earth. Currently moving through the far northern constellations. Remains visible with binoculars and small telescopes.
Comet Catalina (C/2013 US10) moves past Arcturus as it heads north during January. Remains visible with binoculars and small telescopes.
Comet Catalina (C/2013 US10) remains an early morning binocular and small telescope object
Catalina (C/2013 US10) an early morning binocular and small telescope comet
Comet Catalina (C/2013 US10) edges towards naked eye visibility
Comet Catalina (C/2013 US10) remains visible in the evening from Southern and Equatorial Latitudes during September 2015
Comet Catalina (C/2013 US10) now visible with binoculars from Southern and Equatorial Latitudes