C/2021 V1 (Rankin)
ephemeris	date	magn	radius	delta	ra	dec	elong	phase	PA
Nearest approach	31 Oct 2021	20.6	3.492 AU	2.714 AU	23h27m	+35°41'	135.5°	11.5°	108°
Perihelion	30 Apr 2022	20.8	3.013 AU	3.991 AU	02h22m	+02°50'	12.0°	4.0°	187°
Today	18 May 2022	20.8	3.019 AU	3.930 AU	02h49m	+01°10'	22.3°	7.3°	214°

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/2021 V1 (Rankin) are:

            e (eccentricity)                : 0.9954110
            q (perihelion distance)         : 3.0134320
            i (inclination)                 : 71.45150
            Ω (Longitude of ascending node) : 207.65220
            ω (Argument of perihelion)      : 195.11210
            L (Longitude of perihelion)     : 212.56208
            B (Latitude of perihelion)      : -14.30986
            T (Time of perihelion passage)  : 2459699.89040

            Epoch                           : 2022 May 18
            Reference                       : MPEC 2022-CN4

            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 light curve is based on the absolute magnitude and slope parameter as calculated from the original MPEC, or the latest values provided by the minor planet center. (13.00 + 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.