C/2017 K6 (Jacques)
ephemeris	date	magn	radius	delta	ra	dec	elong	phase	PA
Nearest approach	17 Dec 2017	14.2	2.008 AU	1.827 AU	01h30m	-54°32'	85.6°	29.3°	55°
Perihelion	4 Jan 2018	14.2	1.996 AU	1.855 AU	01h47m	-42°24'	83.3°	29.3°	65°
Today	20 Apr 2024	30.0	17.355 AU	16.995 AU	13h18m	+58°47'	109.4°	3.1°	171°

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 K6 (Jacques) are:

            e (Eccentricity)                : 0.9984450
            q (Perihelion distance)         : 1.9962150
            i (Inclination)                 : 57.21610
            Ω (Longitude of ascending node) : 84.86710
            ω (Argument of perihelion)      : 303.84100
            L (Longitude of perihelion)     : 45.94309
            B (Latitude of perihelion)      : -44.28992
            T (Time of perihelion passage)  : 2458122.60130
            P (Orbital period in years)     : 45995.50

            Epoch                           : 2023 Jan 31
            Reference                       : MPC114599

            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 (11.00 + 5 log[∆] + 10.00 log[r]), whereas the red curve is being recalculated every 6 hours based on the available COBS/MPC observations (currently 9.34 + 5 log[∆] + 11.70 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.

The following chart shows the short-term path of the comet in a field of view that is optimized for (~10x50) binoculars and finderscopes.
A more printer-friendly version of the same chart can be found further down this page as well.

The following chart shows the current location of the comet in a smaller, upside-down telescopic field of view.

A printable version of the short-term path of the comet in a field of view that is optimized for (~10x50) binoculars and finderscopes.

Ephemerides:

Date       Time       RA (2000)    DEC (2000)    delta   radius  elong  phase   PA    magn
2024-04-20 00:00 UT   13 18 56.8   +58 47 10    16.994   17.354  109.4    3.1   171   30.0 
2024-04-20 02:13 UT   13 18 54.7   +58 47 09    16.995   17.355  109.4    3.1   171   30.0 
2024-04-21 00:00 UT   13 18 34.9   +58 46 56    17.006   17.360  109.0    3.1   170   30.0 
2024-04-22 00:00 UT   13 18 13.2   +58 46 37    17.019   17.365  108.6    3.1   169   30.0 
2024-04-23 00:00 UT   13 17 51.6   +58 46 16    17.031   17.371  108.1    3.2   168   30.0 
2024-04-24 00:00 UT   13 17 30.1   +58 45 51    17.044   17.376  107.7    3.2   167   30.0 
2024-04-25 00:00 UT   13 17 08.7   +58 45 22    17.056   17.382  107.3    3.2   166   30.0 
2024-04-26 00:00 UT   13 16 47.5   +58 44 50    17.069   17.387  106.8    3.2   165   30.0 
2024-04-27 00:00 UT   13 16 26.4   +58 44 15    17.082   17.392  106.4    3.2   164   30.0 
2024-04-28 00:00 UT   13 16 05.5   +58 43 36    17.095   17.398  105.9    3.2   163   30.0 
2024-04-29 00:00 UT   13 15 44.8   +58 42 54    17.107   17.403  105.5    3.2   162   30.0 
2024-04-30 00:00 UT   13 15 24.2   +58 42 08    17.121   17.409  105.0    3.2   161   30.0 

    Terminology:
            
    delta:  distance between comet and earth in AU
    radius: distance between comet and sun in AU
    magn:   magnitude (brightness) estimate    
    ra:     right ascension in hours (24h = 360deg)
    dec:    declination in degrees
    elong:  elongation in degrees (angle sun-earth-comet)    
    phase:  phase angle in degrees (angle sun-comet-earth)        
    AU:     Astronomical Unit (mean distance between earth and sun: 149597870.7 km      
    

Orbital elements usually provided by the MPC (Minor Planet Center).
Observations contributed by observers worldwide, via COBS (Comet Observation Database) or the MPC (Minor Planet Center)
Calculations by a modified version of AAPlus, a C# implementation of the AA+ project by PJ Naughter from the algorithms presented in the book "Astronomical Algorithms" by Jean Meeus.
NGC2000 dso catalog and star labels from VizieR as provided by the Strasbourg astronomical Data Center.
Tycho2 catalog from the ESO archive.