C/2024 L5 (ATLAS)
ephemeris date magn radius delta ra dec elong phase PA
Today6 Nov 202417.93.625 AU4.581 AU15h09m-28°38'13.6°3.7°156°
Perihelion10 Mar 202516.53.432 AU2.747 AU14h14m-30°13'126.5°13.4°302°
Nearest approach10 Apr 202516.33.444 AU2.473 AU12h52m-23°47'163.3°4.8°20°
C/2024 L5 (ATLAS)- 2024-11-06
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/2024 L5 (ATLAS) are:

            e (Eccentricity)                : 1.0373460
            q (Perihelion distance)         : 3.4319340
            i (Inclination)                 : 166.57310
            Ω (Longitude of ascending node) : 139.16930
            ω (Argument of perihelion)      : 290.52590
            L (Longitude of perihelion)     : 208.11653
            B (Latitude of perihelion)      : -12.56005
            T (Time of perihelion passage)  : 2460744.96860

            Epoch                           : 2024 Nov 05
            Reference                       : MPEC 2024-TD8

            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 an MPEC, or the latest values provided by the minor planet center. (9.00 + 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.