Comet
C/2026 P2 (PANSTARRS)
From New York on October 13, 2026, C/2026 P2 (PANSTARRS) rises at 6:56 PM in the E, is highest at 12:52 AM (48° above the horizon in the S) and sets at 6:49 AM in the W.
In the 3D sky
The sky over New York turned towards C/2026 P2 (PANSTARRS). Drag to look around.
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Evening visibility over the year
Height of C/2026 P2 (PANSTARRS) above the horizon at 10 pm local time on the 15th of each month, from New York.
Brightness over the coming year
Predicted magnitude on the 15th of each month (lower is brighter) and the angle from the Sun. Near the Sun an object is lost in twilight. Comet forecasts can be off by a magnitude or more.
| When | Magnitude | From the Sun | Constellation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2026 | 17.8 | 170° | Cetus |
| Nov 15, 2026 | 17.5 | 140° | Cetus |
| Dec 15, 2026 | 17.3 | 107° | Cetus |
| Jan 15, 2027 | 17.1 | 76° | Pisces |
| Feb 15, 2027 | 16.9 | 49° | Pisces |
| Mar 15, 2027 | 16.6 | 28° | Pisces |
| Apr 15, 2027 | 16.2 | 12° | Pisces |
| May 15, 2027 | 15.7 | 21° | Triangulum |
| Jun 15, 2027 | 15.1 | 39° | Triangulum |
| Jul 15, 2027 | 14.5 | 56° | Perseus |
| Aug 15, 2027 | 13.9 | 72° | Camelopardalis |
| Sep 15, 2027 | 13.4 | 84° | Camelopardalis |
| Oct 15, 2027 | 13.0 | 90° | Camelopardalis |
Orbit
| Perihelion passage | November 21, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Perihelion distance | 2.480 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.9998 |
| Inclination | 63.0° |
| Orbital period | 1,612,991.7 years |
| Total magnitude parameters (M1, K1) | 5.8, 13.5 |
| Elements epoch | Aug 12, 2026 |
Orbital elements and brightness parameters: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database, refreshed daily. Positions are two-body propagation from those elements with Astronomy Engine (accurate for weeks to months around the epoch). Magnitudes use JPL’s standard comet and asteroid formulas. NASA/JPL Small-Body Database Query API (Oct 13, 2026). Calculated with Astronomy Engine, an open-source library verified against the US Naval Observatory and NASA JPL. Data sources
How to use this page
Choose your place and a night at the top. The page shows where the object is in the sky, when it is best placed, how bright it should be and how its brightness and distance change over the coming months. The values come from its orbit as published by NASA JPL.
Frequently asked questions
How bright will it be?
The page gives the brightness predicted from JPL’s standard formulas. Comets often brighten or fade faster than predicted, so treat the value as a guide.
Can I see it without a telescope?
Only when it is brighter than about magnitude 6 and the sky is dark. Most comets and asteroids need binoculars or a telescope.
How accurate is the position?
Positions are worked out from JPL’s orbital elements and are accurate for weeks to months around the date of those elements, which are refreshed daily.
Related guides
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- Magnitude: how star brightness is measuredLower numbers mean brighter, and five magnitudes are a factor of 100 in brightness.