A/2018 V3
ephemeris	date	magn	radius	delta	ra	dec	elong	phase	PA
Nearest approach	19 Aug 2019	13.6	1.366 AU	0.366 AU	21h44m	-29°54'	162.7°	12.7°	8°
Perihelion	10 Sep 2019	16.6	1.328 AU	0.886 AU	17h00m	-21°20'	88.8°	49.3°	96°
Today	14 Jan 2026	27.0	17.738 AU	17.011 AU	10h47m	+15°24'	136.6°	2.2°	285°

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.)

Light curve

The light curve chart below shows the estimated development of the comet's magnitude. Blue and black dots are visual and photometric CCD observations from COBS. The displayed light curve is calculated under the assumption that the object remains inactive. (H=14.40; G=.15).

Charts

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.

Orbital elements

The orbital elements of A/2018 V3 are:

    e (Eccentricity)                : 0.9895020
    q (Perihelion distance)         : 1.3276140
    i (Inclination)                 : 164.90520
    Ω (Longitude of ascending node) : 308.83680
    ω (Argument of perihelion)      : 3.55630
    L (Longitude of perihelion)     : 305.40291
    B (Latitude of perihelion)      : 0.92557
    T (Time of perihelion passage)  : 2458737.01730
    P (Orbital period in years)     : 1422.16

    Epoch                           : 2025 Nov 12
    Reference                       : MPEC 2025-A40

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

Ephemerides

Date       Time       RA (2000)    DEC (2000)    delta   radius  elong  phase   PA    magn
2026-01-13 00:00 UT   10 47 22.5   +15 22 07    17.023   17.728  134.6    2.3   285   27.1 
2026-01-14 00:00 UT   10 47 11.8   +15 23 25    17.017   17.734  135.6    2.2   285   27.1 
2026-01-14 21:32 UT   10 47 02.1   +15 24 36    17.011   17.738  136.6    2.2   285   27.0 
2026-01-15 00:00 UT   10 47 01.0   +15 24 44    17.010   17.739  136.7    2.2   285   27.0 
2026-01-16 00:00 UT   10 46 50.0   +15 26 04    17.003   17.744  137.7    2.1   284   27.0 
2026-01-17 00:00 UT   10 46 38.8   +15 27 24    16.997   17.750  138.8    2.1   284   27.0 
2026-01-18 00:00 UT   10 46 27.5   +15 28 45    16.991   17.755  139.8    2.0   284   27.0 
2026-01-19 00:00 UT   10 46 16.0   +15 30 06    16.985   17.760  140.9    2.0   284   27.0 
2026-01-20 00:00 UT   10 46 04.3   +15 31 28    16.980   17.766  141.9    2.0   283   27.0 
2026-01-21 00:00 UT   10 45 52.4   +15 32 51    16.975   17.771  143.0    1.9   283   27.0 
2026-01-22 00:00 UT   10 45 40.4   +15 34 14    16.970   17.776  144.0    1.9   282   27.0 
2026-01-23 00:00 UT   10 45 28.2   +15 35 37    16.965   17.782  145.1    1.8   282   27.0 
2026-01-24 00:00 UT   10 45 15.9   +15 37 01    16.961   17.787  146.1    1.8   282   27.0 

    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.