The comet reports mainly covers the changes and contains the latest information on the brightest comets visually observable either with the naked eye or through a small thru moderate - size telescopes! It covers all comets 13.5 visual magnitude and brighter with ephemeris data for the major comets expected to be brighter than the 8 - 10 V Mag range, finder charts, terminology tables with appropriate definitions, images, understanding of DC (degree of condensation) classification system, and other such important facts and figures!

For the month of March the report focused mainly on Comet C/2009 P1 Garrradd as it begins to progress towards its' highest location in the night sky in the general area of the northern, circumpolar constellations especially around the constellation regions of Ursa Minor and Draco. There many maps of the comet as it moves eastward when viewing towards the north from 'the Little Dipper' towards Ursa Major; home to 'the Big Dipper'! All other comets during this time of year have faded to visual magnitude values of 10.5 or dimmer! There is a small report on the recent discovery of Comet C/2012 C2 Bruenjes discovered on Feb 11 more than two weeks before discovery when it approached to within 0.2 AU of the Earth back on Jan 27! The comet never did get brighter than 10th magnitude and now will be lost in the daytime glare on the Spring Sun!

Enjoy the report and give me feedback as to how I can improve on future comet reports for all amateur astronomers!

Sincerely,

Mr. Justin J McCollum
BS, MS Physics
Professor Comet
HAS Novice Meeting Coordinator