These can be plotted on a star chart and found by star-hopping, or by using setting circles. The elongation of the comet- the number of degrees it is from the sun as seen from the earth. The brightness of a comet is difficult to predict so this is only a guess based upon past performance and comet theory. The last item I include is the elements of the orbits. This information can be entered into most comet orbit computer programs to further project the comet's positions.
Year is followed by month and day.
The distance from the comet to the sun at perihelion in Astronomical Units. Node is the Ascending Node. The Incl is the inclination of the comet's orbit. If it is under 90 degrees indicates the comet is in a direct orbit, while over 90 degrees means it is in a retrograde orbit. An eccentricity of greater than 1 is a hyperbola orbit-the comet will never return.