C/2020 F2 (ATLAS)
ephemeris	date	magn	radius	delta	ra	dec	elong	phase	PA
Today	6 May 2021	18.1	9.170 AU	8.170 AU	15h00m	-08°50'	172.0°	0.9°	190°
Nearest approach	19 Apr 2022	17.9	8.832 AU	7.849 AU	14h00m	+01°16'	167.2°	1.4°	192°
Perihelion	16 Jul 2022	18.2	8.817 AU	8.884 AU	13h18m	+04°45'	82.9°	6.6°	111°

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/2020 F2 (ATLAS), as provided by the minor planet center, are:

            e (eccentricity)                : 1.0034070
            q (perihelion distance)         : 8.8169550
            i (inclination)                 : 163.57810
            Ω (Longitude of ascending node) : 250.25470
            ω (Argument of perihelion)      : 48.37170
            L (Longitude of perihelion)     : 203.07048
            B (Latitude of perihelion)      : 12.19948
            T (Time of perihelion passage)  : 2459776.94630

            Epoch                           : 2021 May 06
            Reference                       : MPEC 2021-J28

            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 (4.50 + 5 log[∆] + 10.00 log[r]), whereas the red curve is being recalculated every 6 hours based on the available COBS/MPC observations (currently 3.96 + 5 log[∆] + 10.00 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.