C/2020 R4 (ATLAS)
ephemeris date magn radius delta ra dec elong phase PA
Perihelion2 Mar 202110.71.021 AU1.703 AU20h40m-11°22'32.8°31.7°266°
Nearest approach23 Apr 20219.21.335 AU0.458 AU16h15m+29°01'127.6°36.6°222°
Today14 Feb 202528.412.913 AU11.973 AU08h34m+14°15'161.1°1.4°92°
C/2020 R4 (ATLAS)- 2025-02-14
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/2020 R4 (ATLAS) are:

            e (Eccentricity)                : 0.9895700
            q (Perihelion distance)         : 1.0214800
            i (Inclination)                 : 164.41180
            Ω (Longitude of ascending node) : 323.24160
            ω (Argument of perihelion)      : 46.54170
            L (Longitude of perihelion)     : 277.77277
            B (Latitude of perihelion)      : 11.24813
            T (Time of perihelion passage)  : 2459275.85310
            P (Orbital period in years)     : 969.21

            Epoch                           : 2025 Feb 07
            Reference                       : MPEC 2022-K19

            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 gray curve is based on the absolute magnitude and slope parameter as calculated from the original MPEC, or the latest values provided by the MPC (13.50 + 5 log[∆] + 10.00 log[r]), whereas the red curve is being recalculated every 6 hours based on the available COBS/MPC observations (currently 9.39 + 5 log[∆] + 12.23 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.