C/2022 D2 (Kowalski)
ephemeris	date	magn	radius	delta	ra	dec	elong	phase	PA
Nearest approach	23 Jan 2022	19.8	1.778 AU	1.135 AU	03h22m	+44°08'	113.9°	30.4°	86°
Perihelion	28 Mar 2022	19.5	1.554 AU	1.311 AU	06h03m	+24°23'	83.4°	39.7°	90°
Today	30 May 2026	33.6	13.142 AU	12.255 AU	18h22m	-39°25'	149.9°	2.2°	297°

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 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. (17.0 + 5 log[∆] + 10.0 log[r]). An additional green curve is displayed when an increase in apparent brightness is expected due to forward scattering of sunlight, which occurs when a dust-rich comet is located between the Earth and the Sun. (See Marcus 2007)

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 C/2022 D2 (Kowalski) are:

    e (Eccentricity)                : 0.9963220
    q (Perihelion distance)         : 1.5536340
    i (Inclination)                 : 22.69150
    Ω (Longitude of ascending node) : 312.33290
    ω (Argument of perihelion)      : 177.91000
    L (Longitude of perihelion)     : 310.40455
    B (Latitude of perihelion)      : 0.80611
    T (Time of perihelion passage)  : 2459666.85400
    P (Orbital period in years)     : 8681.71

    Epoch                           : 2026 May 29
    Reference                       : MPC194179

    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
2026-05-29 00:00 UT   18 23 19.5   -39 24 43    12.257   13.133  148.6    2.3   296   33.6 
2026-05-30 00:00 UT   18 23 00.6   -39 25 14    12.256   13.139  149.4    2.2   297   33.6 
2026-05-30 12:12 UT   18 22 50.9   -39 25 30    12.255   13.142  149.9    2.2   297   33.6 
2026-05-31 00:00 UT   18 22 41.5   -39 25 45    12.255   13.145  150.3    2.2   298   33.6 
2026-06-01 00:00 UT   18 22 22.2   -39 26 14    12.254   13.151  151.1    2.1   299   33.6 
2026-06-02 00:00 UT   18 22 02.8   -39 26 42    12.254   13.158  151.9    2.1   300   33.6 
2026-06-03 00:00 UT   18 21 43.1   -39 27 08    12.253   13.164  152.8    2.0   302   33.6 
2026-06-04 00:00 UT   18 21 23.3   -39 27 33    12.254   13.170  153.6    2.0   303   33.6 
2026-06-05 00:00 UT   18 21 03.4   -39 27 57    12.254   13.176  154.4    1.9   305   33.6 
2026-06-06 00:00 UT   18 20 43.2   -39 28 19    12.255   13.182  155.1    1.9   306   33.6 
2026-06-07 00:00 UT   18 20 23.0   -39 28 40    12.255   13.189  155.9    1.8   308   33.6 
2026-06-08 00:00 UT   18 20 02.6   -39 28 59    12.257   13.195  156.6    1.7   310   33.6 
2026-06-09 00:00 UT   18 19 42.1   -39 29 17    12.258   13.201  157.4    1.7   312   33.6 

    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.