C/2016 R2 (PANSTARRS)
ephemeris date magn radius delta ra dec elong phase PA
Nearest approach22 Dec 201711.62.973 AU2.050 AU04h34m+10°59'155.5°7.9°57°
Perihelion9 May 201811.92.595 AU3.270 AU05h30m+44°56'41.0°14.8°60°
Today2 Dec 202425.517.406 AU18.374 AU16h55m-12°54'10.3°0.6°28°
C/2016 R2 (PANSTARRS)- 2024-12-02
astro.vanbuitenen.nl


 
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The interactive orbit chart above shows the comet's path through the solar system and its position at the given date. Green and blue lines are shown perpendicular to the ecliptic plane: Green if the path is above the ecliptic plane, blue if it is below. (Left-click and drag to rotate the view; Right-click and drag to move the view; Use scroll wheel to zoom in our out.)

The orbital elements of C/2016 R2 (PANSTARRS) are:

            e (Eccentricity)                : 0.9946790
            q (Perihelion distance)         : 2.5945740
            i (Inclination)                 : 58.37140
            Ω (Longitude of ascending node) : 80.49850
            ω (Argument of perihelion)      : 33.08980
            L (Longitude of perihelion)     : 99.36514
            B (Latitude of perihelion)      : 27.70115
            T (Time of perihelion passage)  : 2458248.15790
            P (Orbital period in years)     : 10767.36

            Epoch                           : 2023 Sep 24
            Reference                       : MPEC 2021-N06

            Classification(s):              : Nearly isotropic; Returning (a < 10000 AU); External (P > 200 years)
        

The light curve chart below shows the estimated development of the comet's magnitude. Blue and black dots are visual and photometric CCD observations respectively from COBS or the MPC. The gray curve is based on the absolute magnitude and slope parameter as calculated from the original MPEC, or the latest values provided by the MPC (7.00 + 5 log[∆] + 10.00 log[r]), whereas the red curve is being recalculated every 6 hours based on the available COBS/MPC observations (currently 4.35 + 5 log[∆] + 11.97 log[r]).


The all-sky chart below shows the path of the comet over the same period as the light curve. The comet's current position is marked yellow.