Comet Lemmon (C/2012 F6) has been delighting observers in recent months while moving through the deep southern constellations. Already, the comet has turned out to be the surprise package of the year so far. When discovered by Alex Gibbs on March 23, 2012 as part of the Mount Lemmon Survey it was extremely faint at magnitude 20.7 and consequently not anticipated to put on much of a show in 2013. However, much to the enjoyment of observers living in the southern hemisphere and the tropics, Lemmon is performing considerably better than expected. It's of the order of a few magnitudes brighter than originally hoped, has recently attained naked eye visibility and continues to improve as it heads towards perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) on March 24, 2013.
HD animation of Comet Lemmon's movement across the sky (Rolf Wahl Olsen)
Recent observations
As the beginning of February, Comet Lemmon reached naked eye brightness as it moved through Octans and past the South Celestial Pole. By February 11th, it had improved to magnitude 5.4 with a coma of at least 15 arc minutes in diameter along with a small tail. When viewed through 10x50 binoculars, the tail extended in a southeasterly direction for about 0.5 degrees, similar in size to that of the full Moon.
A fantastic visual and photo opportunity occurred between February 14th and 16th when Lemmon slid past the spectacular globular cluster 47 Tucanae and the superb Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). At time of closest separation, Lemmon was only 4 degrees west of 47 Tucanae with both objects and part of the SMC visible in the same binocular field of view. The comet brightness was magnitude 5.0 and its appearance not too dissimilar to that of 47 Tucanae.
By February 19th, Lemmon had increased in brightness to magnitude 4.7 and although the coma was practically unchanged in size, the tail was now over 1 degree in length. Images revealed the comet in spectacular glory, a bright vivid green in colour with a bright core and a long wispy tail that extended for many degrees.
Location, magnitude and star chart
After passing close by 47 Tucanae and the SMC, Lemmon continued to move through Tucana until February 24th when it enters Phoenix. On this date it is 13 degrees due west of Achernar (mag. 0.45), the brightest star in the long winding constellation of Eridanus.
Continuing on a northern bearing, Lemmon travels through Phoenix until March 10th when it enters Sculptor. The star fields of Phoenix and Sculptor are barren and contain few bright stars. The brightest star of all is Ankaa (α Phe) at magnitude 2.4. On March 8th, Lemmon passes only 5 degrees to the west of Ankaa and at this time it should have brightened to about magnitude 3.5 with a significant tail visible.
The comet then continues on its northern path, running practically parallel to the zero hour line of right ascension. On March 19th / 20th, it will be about 15 degrees to the east of mag. 1.17 Fomalhaut, the brightest star in the constellation of Piscis Austrinus. Lemmon should now also be close to peak brightness. Originally we estimated a high magnitude of 2.4 but based on recent observations it could be more of the order of 3.2.
Lemmon then remains in Sculptor until March 24th, before crossing the border into Cetus. The comet remains in Cetus for the best part of 3 weeks, before arriving in Pisces on April 13th (mag. 4.4). After spending many months in the southern part of the sky, Lemmon finally crosses the celestial equator and moves into northern section on April 20th. Now down to magnitude 5.0, it continues northwards into Andromeda before reaching Cassiopeia on June 21st. At this time, its declination will be almost 50 degrees north and hence circumpolar for many northern hemisphere observers, but now a faint magnitude 10.
The finder charts below show the path of Comet Lemmon against the background stars from February 20 to March 6, 2013 and from March 6 to March 22, 2013.
Finder Chart for Comet Lemmon from February 20, 2013 to March 6, 2013 - pdf format
Finder Chart for Comet Lemmon from March 6, 2013 to March 22, 2013 - pdf format
Current visibility
From the southern hemisphere, Lemmon was fairly high in the southern evening sky for the first two weeks of February and circumpolar for latitudes further south of 20S. From latitude 30 degrees south (the approximate position of Santiago, Cape Town, Perth and Sydney) the comet was 30 degrees above the southern horizon on February 1st at 23:00.
It remained well placed towards the southern / southwestern horizon for most of February. On February 21st, Lemmon was 15 degrees above the south-southwestern horizon at 23:00 and 28 degrees above the same horizon at 21:00. On March 1st, Lemmon will appear 20 degrees above the southwestern horizon at 21:00, about 1.5 hours after sunset. It remains an early evening object into March although now much closer to the horizon. Of course the comet should brighten significantly during this time as it approaches perihelion. For example on March 15th, 1.5 hours after sunset Lemmon will now be only 6 degrees above the southwestern horizon but shine at magnitude 3.3.
Comet Lemmon is not observable in the northern hemisphere until about May. Although fading, it should still be of the order of 6th magnitude.
Comet Lemmon
| Name | C/2012 L6 (Lemmon) |
|---|---|
| Discovered By | A. R. Gibbs (Mount Lemmon Survey) |
| Discovery Date | March 23, 2012 |
| Discovery Magnitude | 20.7 |
| Epoch | September 30, 2012 |
| Aphelion (AU) | ~1,000 |
| Perihelion (AU) | 0.7313 |
| Eccentricity | 0.9985 |
| Orbital Period (years) | ~11,000 |
| Inclination (degrees) | 82.61 |
| Next perihelion | March 24, 2013 |
Comet Lemmon (C/2012 F6) Data Table (data shown at 0:00 UT)
| Date | Right Ascension | Declination | Mag. | Distance from Earth (AU) | Constellation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Feb 2013 | 23h 52m 26s | -65d 57m 54s | 4.7 | 1.053 | Tucana |
| 20 Feb 2013 | 23h 54m 24s | -64d 23m 09s | 4.6 | 1.063 | Tucana |
| 21 Feb 2013 | 23h 56m 06s | -62d 50m 01s | 4.5 | 1.073 | Tucana |
| 22 Feb 2013 | 23h 57m 36s | -61d 18m 30s | 4.5 | 1.084 | Tucana |
| 23 Feb 2013 | 23h 58m 56s | -59d 48m 37s | 4.4 | 1.094 | Tucana |
| 24 Feb 2013 | 00h 00m 07s | -58d 20m 22s | 4.3 | 1.106 | Tucana |
| 25 Feb 2013 | 00h 01m 10s | -56d 53m 44s | 4.3 | 1.117 | Phoenix |
| 26 Feb 2013 | 00h 02m 07s | -55d 28m 43s | 4.2 | 1.129 | Phoenix |
| 27 Feb 2013 | 00h 02m 58s | -54d 05m 15s | 4.1 | 1.142 | Phoenix |
| 28 Feb 2013 | 00h 03m 43s | -52d 43m 20s | 4.0 | 1.154 | Phoenix |
| 01 Mar 2013 | 00h 04m 25s | -51d 22m 54s | 4.0 | 1.167 | Phoenix |
| 02 Mar 2013 | 00h 05m 02s | -50d 03m 55s | 3.9 | 1.180 | Phoenix |
| 03 Mar 2013 | 00h 05m 36s | -48d 46m 21s | 3.9 | 1.193 | Phoenix |
| 04 Mar 2013 | 00h 06m 06s | -47d 30m 08s | 3.8 | 1.206 | Phoenix |
| 05 Mar 2013 | 00h 06m 33s | -46d 15m 13s | 3.7 | 1.219 | Phoenix |
| 06 Mar 2013 | 00h 06m 58s | -45d 01m 34s | 3.7 | 1.233 | Phoenix |
| 07 Mar 2013 | 00h 07m 20s | -43d 49m 06s | 3.6 | 1.246 | Phoenix |
| 08 Mar 2013 | 00h 07m 40s | -42d 37m 47s | 3.6 | 1.260 | Phoenix |
| 09 Mar 2013 | 00h 07m 58s | -41d 27m 34s | 3.5 | 1.274 | Phoenix |
| 10 Mar 2013 | 00h 08m 14s | -40d 18m 22s | 3.5 | 1.287 | Phoenix |
| 11 Mar 2013 | 00h 08m 28s | -39d 10m 10s | 3.4 | 1.301 | Sculptor |
| 12 Mar 2013 | 00h 08m 41s | -38d 02m 54s | 3.4 | 1.314 | Sculptor |
| 13 Mar 2013 | 00h 08m 53s | -36d 56m 30s | 3.4 | 1.328 | Sculptor |
| 14 Mar 2013 | 00h 09m 03s | -35d 50m 57s | 3.3 | 1.341 | Sculptor |
| 15 Mar 2013 | 00h 09m 12s | -34d 46m 10s | 3.3 | 1.354 | Sculptor |
| 16 Mar 2013 | 00h 09m 20s | -33d 42m 08s | 3.3 | 1.368 | Sculptor |
| 17 Mar 2013 | 00h 09m 27s | -32d 38m 47s | 3.2 | 1.381 | Sculptor |
| 18 Mar 2013 | 00h 09m 34s | -31d 36m 06s | 3.2 | 1.393 | Sculptor |
| 19 Mar 2013 | 00h 09m 39s | -30d 34m 01s | 3.2 | 1.406 | Sculptor |
| 20 Mar 2013 | 00h 09m 45s | -29d 32m 32s | 3.2 | 1.418 | Sculptor |
| 21 Mar 2013 | 00h 09m 49s | -28d 31m 34s | 3.2 | 1.430 | Sculptor |
| 22 Mar 2013 | 00h 09m 54s | -27d 31m 08s | 3.2 | 1.442 | Sculptor |
| 23 Mar 2013 | 00h 09m 58s | -26d 31m 10s | 3.2 | 1.454 | Sculptor |
| 24 Mar 2013 | 00h 10m 02s | -25d 31m 40s | 3.2 | 1.466 | Sculptor |
| 25 Mar 2013 | 00h 10m 05s | -24d 32m 36s | 3.2 | 1.477 | Cetus |
| 26 Mar 2013 | 00h 10m 09s | -23d 33m 56s | 3.3 | 1.488 | Cetus |
| 27 Mar 2013 | 00h 10m 13s | -22d 35m 40s | 3.3 | 1.498 | Cetus |
| 28 Mar 2013 | 00h 10m 17s | -21d 37m 46s | 3.3 | 1.509 | Cetus |
| 29 Mar 2013 | 00h 10m 21s | -20d 40m 13s | 3.4 | 1.519 | Cetus |
| 30 Mar 2013 | 00h 10m 26s | -19d 43m 01s | 3.4 | 1.529 | Cetus |
| 31 Mar 2013 | 00h 10m 31s | -18d 46m 09s | 3.4 | 1.538 | Cetus |
| 01 Apr 2013 | 00h 10m 36s | -17d 49m 36s | 3.5 | 1.547 | Cetus |
| 02 Apr 2013 | 00h 10m 41s | -16d 53m 21s | 3.5 | 1.556 | Cetus |
| 03 Apr 2013 | 00h 10m 47s | -15d 57m 24s | 3.6 | 1.565 | Cetus |
| 04 Apr 2013 | 00h 10m 54s | -15d 01m 45s | 3.7 | 1.573 | Cetus |
| 05 Apr 2013 | 00h 11m 01s | -14d 06m 23s | 3.7 | 1.581 | Cetus |
| 06 Apr 2013 | 00h 11m 08s | -13d 11m 17s | 3.8 | 1.588 | Cetus |
| 07 Apr 2013 | 00h 11m 17s | -12d 16m 28s | 3.9 | 1.596 | Cetus |
| 08 Apr 2013 | 00h 11m 25s | -11d 21m 55s | 4.0 | 1.603 | Cetus |
| 09 Apr 2013 | 00h 11m 34s | -10d 27m 37s | 4.0 | 1.610 | Cetus |
| 10 Apr 2013 | 00h 11m 44s | -09d 33m 35s | 4.1 | 1.616 | Cetus |
| 11 Apr 2013 | 00h 11m 54s | -08d 39m 47s | 4.2 | 1.622 | Cetus |
| 12 Apr 2013 | 00h 12m 04s | -07d 46m 15s | 4.3 | 1.628 | Cetus |
| 13 Apr 2013 | 00h 12m 16s | -06d 52m 56s | 4.4 | 1.634 | Cetus |
| 14 Apr 2013 | 00h 12m 27s | -05d 59m 52s | 4.5 | 1.639 | Pisces |
| 15 Apr 2013 | 00h 12m 39s | -05d 07m 02s | 4.6 | 1.645 | Pisces |
| 16 Apr 2013 | 00h 12m 52s | -04d 14m 25s | 4.6 | 1.650 | Pisces |
| 17 Apr 2013 | 00h 13m 05s | -03d 22m 01s | 4.7 | 1.654 | Pisces |
| 18 Apr 2013 | 00h 13m 18s | -02d 29m 50s | 4.8 | 1.659 | Pisces |
| 19 Apr 2013 | 00h 13m 31s | -01d 37m 51s | 4.9 | 1.663 | Pisces |
| 20 Apr 2013 | 00h 13m 45s | -00d 46m 05s | 5.0 | 1.667 | Pisces |
| 21 Apr 2013 | 00h 13m 60s | 00d 05m 29s | 5.1 | 1.671 | Pisces |
| 22 Apr 2013 | 00h 14m 14s | 00d 56m 52s | 5.2 | 1.675 | Pisces |
| 23 Apr 2013 | 00h 14m 29s | 01d 48m 04s | 5.3 | 1.678 | Pisces |
| 24 Apr 2013 | 00h 14m 44s | 02d 39m 05s | 5.4 | 1.682 | Pisces |
| 25 Apr 2013 | 00h 14m 59s | 03d 29m 56s | 5.5 | 1.685 | Pisces |
| 26 Apr 2013 | 00h 15m 15s | 04d 20m 36s | 5.6 | 1.688 | Pisces |
| 27 Apr 2013 | 00h 15m 30s | 05d 11m 06s | 5.7 | 1.691 | Pisces |
| 28 Apr 2013 | 00h 15m 46s | 06d 01m 27s | 5.8 | 1.694 | Pisces |
| 29 Apr 2013 | 00h 16m 01s | 06d 51m 38s | 5.9 | 1.696 | Pisces |
| 30 Apr 2013 | 00h 16m 17s | 07d 41m 41s | 6.0 | 1.699 | Pisces |
| 01 May 2013 | 00h 16m 33s | 08d 31m 35s | 6.1 | 1.701 | Pisces |
| 02 May 2013 | 00h 16m 48s | 09d 21m 20s | 6.2 | 1.703 | Pisces |
| 03 May 2013 | 00h 17m 04s | 10d 10m 58s | 6.3 | 1.705 | Pisces |
| 04 May 2013 | 00h 17m 19s | 11d 00m 27s | 6.4 | 1.707 | Pisces |
| 05 May 2013 | 00h 17m 34s | 11d 49m 50s | 6.5 | 1.709 | Pisces |
| 06 May 2013 | 00h 17m 49s | 12d 39m 04s | 6.6 | 1.711 | Pisces |
| 07 May 2013 | 00h 18m 04s | 13d 28m 12s | 6.6 | 1.713 | Pisces |
| 08 May 2013 | 00h 18m 19s | 14d 17m 13s | 6.7 | 1.715 | Pisces |
| 09 May 2013 | 00h 18m 33s | 15d 06m 07s | 6.8 | 1.716 | Pisces |
| 10 May 2013 | 00h 18m 47s | 15d 54m 55s | 6.9 | 1.718 | Pisces |
| 11 May 2013 | 00h 18m 60s | 16d 43m 37s | 7.0 | 1.719 | Pisces |
| 12 May 2013 | 00h 19m 13s | 17d 32m 12s | 7.1 | 1.721 | Pisces |
| 13 May 2013 | 00h 19m 25s | 18d 20m 41s | 7.2 | 1.722 | Pisces |
| 14 May 2013 | 00h 19m 37s | 19d 09m 05s | 7.3 | 1.723 | Pisces |
| 15 May 2013 | 00h 19m 48s | 19d 57m 23s | 7.4 | 1.725 | Pisces |
| 16 May 2013 | 00h 19m 59s | 20d 45m 35s | 7.4 | 1.726 | Pisces |
| 17 May 2013 | 00h 20m 08s | 21d 33m 41s | 7.5 | 1.727 | Pisces |
| 18 May 2013 | 00h 20m 17s | 22d 21m 42s | 7.6 | 1.728 | Andromeda |
| 19 May 2013 | 00h 20m 26s | 23d 09m 38s | 7.7 | 1.730 | Andromeda |
| 20 May 2013 | 00h 20m 33s | 23d 57m 28s | 7.8 | 1.731 | Andromeda |
| 21 May 2013 | 00h 20m 40s | 24d 45m 13s | 7.9 | 1.732 | Andromeda |
| 22 May 2013 | 00h 20m 45s | 25d 32m 52s | 7.9 | 1.733 | Andromeda |
| 23 May 2013 | 00h 20m 50s | 26d 20m 26s | 8.0 | 1.734 | Andromeda |
| 24 May 2013 | 00h 20m 54s | 27d 07m 54s | 8.1 | 1.736 | Andromeda |
| 25 May 2013 | 00h 20m 56s | 27d 55m 17s | 8.2 | 1.737 | Andromeda |
| 26 May 2013 | 00h 20m 58s | 28d 42m 35s | 8.3 | 1.738 | Andromeda |
| 27 May 2013 | 00h 20m 58s | 29d 29m 46s | 8.3 | 1.739 | Andromeda |
| 28 May 2013 | 00h 20m 57s | 30d 16m 52s | 8.4 | 1.741 | Andromeda |
| 29 May 2013 | 00h 20m 54s | 31d 03m 52s | 8.5 | 1.742 | Andromeda |
| 30 May 2013 | 00h 20m 50s | 31d 50m 46s | 8.6 | 1.743 | Andromeda |
| 31 May 2013 | 00h 20m 45s | 32d 37m 34s | 8.6 | 1.745 | Andromeda |
| 01 Jun 2013 | 00h 20m 38s | 33d 24m 15s | 8.7 | 1.746 | Andromeda |
| 02 Jun 2013 | 00h 20m 30s | 34d 10m 49s | 8.8 | 1.748 | Andromeda |
| 03 Jun 2013 | 00h 20m 20s | 34d 57m 17s | 8.9 | 1.749 | Andromeda |
| 04 Jun 2013 | 00h 20m 08s | 35d 43m 37s | 8.9 | 1.751 | Andromeda |
| 05 Jun 2013 | 00h 19m 54s | 36d 29m 50s | 9.0 | 1.753 | Andromeda |
| 06 Jun 2013 | 00h 19m 38s | 37d 15m 54s | 9.1 | 1.755 | Andromeda |
| 07 Jun 2013 | 00h 19m 20s | 38d 01m 51s | 9.1 | 1.756 | Andromeda |
| 08 Jun 2013 | 00h 19m 00s | 38d 47m 38s | 9.2 | 1.758 | Andromeda |
| 09 Jun 2013 | 00h 18m 38s | 39d 33m 17s | 9.3 | 1.760 | Andromeda |
| 10 Jun 2013 | 00h 18m 14s | 40d 18m 46s | 9.4 | 1.762 | Andromeda |
| 11 Jun 2013 | 00h 17m 47s | 41d 04m 04s | 9.4 | 1.765 | Andromeda |
| 12 Jun 2013 | 00h 17m 17s | 41d 49m 12s | 9.5 | 1.767 | Andromeda |
| 13 Jun 2013 | 00h 16m 45s | 42d 34m 09s | 9.6 | 1.769 | Andromeda |
| 14 Jun 2013 | 00h 16m 10s | 43d 18m 54s | 9.6 | 1.772 | Andromeda |
| 15 Jun 2013 | 00h 15m 32s | 44d 03m 27s | 9.7 | 1.774 | Andromeda |
| 16 Jun 2013 | 00h 14m 51s | 44d 47m 46s | 9.8 | 1.777 | Andromeda |
| 17 Jun 2013 | 00h 14m 07s | 45d 31m 52s | 9.8 | 1.779 | Andromeda |
| 18 Jun 2013 | 00h 13m 20s | 46d 15m 44s | 9.9 | 1.782 | Andromeda |
| 19 Jun 2013 | 00h 12m 29s | 46d 59m 21s | 9.9 | 1.785 | Andromeda |
| 20 Jun 2013 | 00h 11m 35s | 47d 42m 41s | 10.0 | 1.788 | Andromeda |
| 21 Jun 2013 | 00h 10m 36s | 48d 25m 45s | 10.1 | 1.791 | Andromeda |
| 22 Jun 2013 | 00h 09m 34s | 49d 08m 32s | 10.1 | 1.795 | Cassiopeia |
| 23 Jun 2013 | 00h 08m 28s | 49d 51m 01s | 10.2 | 1.798 | Cassiopeia |
| 24 Jun 2013 | 00h 07m 18s | 50d 33m 11s | 10.3 | 1.802 | Cassiopeia |
| 25 Jun 2013 | 00h 06m 03s | 51d 15m 00s | 10.3 | 1.805 | Cassiopeia |
| 26 Jun 2013 | 00h 04m 44s | 51d 56m 29s | 10.4 | 1.809 | Cassiopeia |
| 27 Jun 2013 | 00h 03m 20s | 52d 37m 36s | 10.4 | 1.813 | Cassiopeia |
| 28 Jun 2013 | 00h 01m 50s | 53d 18m 21s | 10.5 | 1.817 | Cassiopeia |
| 29 Jun 2013 | 00h 00m 16s | 53d 58m 41s | 10.6 | 1.821 | Cassiopeia |
| 30 Jun 2013 | 23h 58m 36s | 54d 38m 36s | 10.6 | 1.826 | Cassiopeia |
| 01 Jul 2013 | 23h 56m 51s | 55d 18m 05s | 10.7 | 1.830 | Cassiopeia |
| 02 Jul 2013 | 23h 54m 59s | 55d 57m 07s | 10.7 | 1.835 | Cassiopeia |
| 03 Jul 2013 | 23h 53m 02s | 56d 35m 40s | 10.8 | 1.840 | Cassiopeia |
| 04 Jul 2013 | 23h 50m 57s | 57d 13m 42s | 10.9 | 1.844 | Cassiopeia |
| 05 Jul 2013 | 23h 48m 47s | 57d 51m 13s | 10.9 | 1.850 | Cassiopeia |
| 06 Jul 2013 | 23h 46m 29s | 58d 28m 11s | 11.0 | 1.855 | Cassiopeia |
| 07 Jul 2013 | 23h 44m 04s | 59d 04m 35s | 11.0 | 1.860 | Cassiopeia |
| 08 Jul 2013 | 23h 41m 32s | 59d 40m 22s | 11.1 | 1.866 | Cassiopeia |
| 09 Jul 2013 | 23h 38m 52s | 60d 15m 32s | 11.2 | 1.871 | Cassiopeia |
| 10 Jul 2013 | 23h 36m 04s | 60d 50m 03s | 11.2 | 1.877 | Cassiopeia |
| 11 Jul 2013 | 23h 33m 08s | 61d 23m 52s | 11.3 | 1.883 | Cassiopeia |
| 12 Jul 2013 | 23h 30m 04s | 61d 56m 58s | 11.3 | 1.889 | Cassiopeia |
| 13 Jul 2013 | 23h 26m 50s | 62d 29m 20s | 11.4 | 1.895 | Cassiopeia |
| 14 Jul 2013 | 23h 23m 28s | 63d 00m 55s | 11.4 | 1.902 | Cassiopeia |
| 15 Jul 2013 | 23h 19m 57s | 63d 31m 41s | 11.5 | 1.908 | Cassiopeia |
| 16 Jul 2013 | 23h 16m 16s | 64d 01m 38s | 11.6 | 1.915 | Cepheus |
| 17 Jul 2013 | 23h 12m 26s | 64d 30m 42s | 11.6 | 1.922 | Cepheus |
| 18 Jul 2013 | 23h 08m 27s | 64d 58m 51s | 11.7 | 1.929 | Cepheus |
| 19 Jul 2013 | 23h 04m 18s | 65d 26m 05s | 11.7 | 1.936 | Cepheus |
| 20 Jul 2013 | 22h 59m 59s | 65d 52m 20s | 11.8 | 1.943 | Cepheus |
| 21 Jul 2013 | 22h 55m 30s | 66d 17m 35s | 11.8 | 1.951 | Cepheus |
| 22 Jul 2013 | 22h 50m 52s | 66d 41m 47s | 11.9 | 1.958 | Cepheus |
| 23 Jul 2013 | 22h 46m 04s | 67d 04m 56s | 11.9 | 1.966 | Cepheus |
| 24 Jul 2013 | 22h 41m 06s | 67d 26m 59s | 12.0 | 1.974 | Cepheus |
| 25 Jul 2013 | 22h 35m 59s | 67d 47m 53s | 12.0 | 1.982 | Cepheus |
| 26 Jul 2013 | 22h 30m 44s | 68d 07m 39s | 12.1 | 1.990 | Cepheus |
| 27 Jul 2013 | 22h 25m 19s | 68d 26m 12s | 12.2 | 1.999 | Cepheus |
| 28 Jul 2013 | 22h 19m 47s | 68d 43m 33s | 12.2 | 2.007 | Cepheus |
| 29 Jul 2013 | 22h 14m 06s | 68d 59m 40s | 12.3 | 2.016 | Cepheus |
| 30 Jul 2013 | 22h 08m 19s | 69d 14m 31s | 12.3 | 2.025 | Cepheus |
| 31 Jul 2013 | 22h 02m 25s | 69d 28m 05s | 12.4 | 2.034 | Cepheus |
See also
Comet Lemmon (C/2012 F6) now fading but remains visible through small telescopes in the June morning sky
Comet Lemmon (C/2012 F6) now visible in the morning sky from the northern hemisphere
Comet Lemmon (C/2012 F6) returns to the morning sky for observers located at southern hemisphere and tropical latitudes
Comet Lemmon (C/2012 F6) temporarily unobservable as it moves from evening to morning sky
Naked eye Comet Lemmon (C/2012 F6) moves past 47 Tuc and SMC
Comet Lemmon (C/2012 F6) now naked eye and continues to improve
Comet Lemmon (C/2012 F6) brightens faster than expected