C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)
ephemeris date magn radius delta ra dec elong phase PA
Nearest approach14 Jul 20228.82.655 AU1.808 AU16h58m-03°11'138.4°14.7°120°
Perihelion19 Dec 20228.31.797 AU2.482 AU17h57m-60°22'37.0°19.2°177°
Today29 Mar 20238.92.193 AU2.490 AU03h37m-40°42'61.3°23.5°124°
C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)- 2023-03-29
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/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) are:

            e (Eccentricity)                : 1.0007630
            q (Perihelion distance)         : 1.7969020
            i (Inclination)                 : 87.56330
            Ω (Longitude of ascending node) : 88.23610
            ω (Argument of perihelion)      : 236.20190
            L (Longitude of perihelion)     : 91.87028
            B (Latitude of perihelion)      : -56.12458
            T (Time of perihelion passage)  : 2459933.18880

            Epoch                           : 2023 Mar 28
            Reference                       : MPEC 2023-FK0

            Classification(s):              : Nearly isotropic; New (a > 10000 AU)
        

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 (1.50 + 5 log[∆] + 10.00 log[r]), whereas the red curve is being recalculated every 6 hours based on the available COBS/MPC observations (currently 4.67 + 5 log[∆] + 6.59 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.