C/2022 K1 (Leonard)
ephemeris date magn radius delta ra dec elong phase PA
Perihelion17 Dec 202120.43.989 AU4.854 AU18h46m-03°28'25.6°6.1°37°
Nearest approach28 Jul 202220.14.419 AU3.428 AU21h23m-14°21'165.8°3.2°249°
Today4 Dec 202323.77.033 AU6.927 AU23h50m-32°30'92.1°8.1°62°
C/2022 K1 (Leonard)- 2023-12-04
astro.vanbuitenen.nl


 
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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 K1 (Leonard) are:

            e (Eccentricity)                : 1.0022650
            q (Perihelion distance)         : 3.9890760
            i (Inclination)                 : 41.96300
            Ω (Longitude of ascending node) : 136.33250
            ω (Argument of perihelion)      : 142.64930
            L (Longitude of perihelion)     : 106.75784
            B (Latitude of perihelion)      : 23.93281
            T (Time of perihelion passage)  : 2459565.89650

            Epoch                           : 2023 Dec 03
            Reference                       : MPEC 2022-ST7

            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. (11.00 + 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.