C/2022 A1 (Sarneczky)
ephemeris	date	magn	radius	delta	ra	dec	elong	phase	PA
Nearest approach	8 Jan 2022	16.7	1.301 AU	0.322 AU	06h35m	+24°23'	169.9°	7.6°	100°
Perihelion	31 Jan 2022	18.5	1.256 AU	0.796 AU	03h07m	-14°30'	89.0°	51.7°	72°
Today	7 May 2025	33.7	11.241 AU	10.896 AU	20h19m	-36°20'	107.5°	4.9°	262°

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/2022 A1 (Sarneczky) are:

            e (Eccentricity)                : 0.9990570
            q (Perihelion distance)         : 1.2558330
            i (Inclination)                 : 116.58530
            Ω (Longitude of ascending node) : 285.49390
            ω (Argument of perihelion)      : 201.23590
            L (Longitude of perihelion)     : 275.62837
            B (Latitude of perihelion)      : -18.89967
            T (Time of perihelion passage)  : 2459610.52690
            P (Orbital period in years)     : 48599.33

            Epoch                           : 2025 Feb 02
            Reference                       : MPEC 2025-AH4

            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 light curve is based on the absolute magnitude and slope parameter as calculated from an MPEC, or the latest values provided by the minor planet center. (18.00 + 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.

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
2025-05-07 00:00 UT   20 19 50.8   -36 20 04    10.902   11.236  106.9    4.9   261   33.7 
2025-05-07 16:10 UT   20 19 44.5   -36 20 54    10.896   11.241  107.5    4.9   262   33.7 
2025-05-08 00:00 UT   20 19 41.3   -36 21 19    10.893   11.243  107.8    4.9   262   33.7 
2025-05-09 00:00 UT   20 19 31.4   -36 22 35    10.884   11.250  108.8    4.9   262   33.7 
2025-05-10 00:00 UT   20 19 21.0   -36 23 51    10.875   11.257  109.7    4.8   262   33.7 
2025-05-11 00:00 UT   20 19 10.1   -36 25 08    10.867   11.264  110.7    4.8   263   33.7 
2025-05-12 00:00 UT   20 18 58.8   -36 26 26    10.858   11.271  111.7    4.8   263   33.7 
2025-05-13 00:00 UT   20 18 47.1   -36 27 45    10.850   11.277  112.6    4.7   263   33.7 
2025-05-14 00:00 UT   20 18 34.9   -36 29 04    10.841   11.284  113.6    4.7   264   33.7 
2025-05-15 00:00 UT   20 18 22.3   -36 30 24    10.833   11.291  114.5    4.7   264   33.7 
2025-05-16 00:00 UT   20 18 09.3   -36 31 44    10.825   11.298  115.5    4.6   264   33.7 
2025-05-17 00:00 UT   20 17 55.8   -36 33 05    10.817   11.305  116.5    4.6   265   33.7 

    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.