P/2021 N1 (ZTF)
ephemeris date magn radius delta ra dec elong phase PA
Today9 Feb 202528.04.308 AU3.438 AU11h11m-05°34'148.3°6.9°310°
Nearest approach28 Jun 202615.41.051 AU0.175 AU00h31m-17°03'96.4°74.1°248°
Perihelion27 Jul 202616.30.966 AU0.313 AU03h06m+30°52'72.1°90.0°258°
P/2021 N1 (ZTF)- 2025-02-09
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 P/2021 N1 (ZTF) are:

            e (Eccentricity)                : 0.6757490
            q (Perihelion distance)         : 0.9660800
            i (Inclination)                 : 11.48590
            Ω (Longitude of ascending node) : 301.13700
            ω (Argument of perihelion)      : 21.23340
            L (Longitude of perihelion)     : 321.98204
            B (Latitude of perihelion)      : 4.13561
            T (Time of perihelion passage)  : 2461249.36880
            P (Orbital period in years)     : 5.14

            Epoch                           : 2025 Feb 07
            Reference                       : MPEC 2022-TA0

            Classification(s):              : Ecliptic; Jupiter family
            Tisserand (Jupiter)             : 2.840
        

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. (19.00 + 5 log[∆] + 10.00 log[r]). The additional green curve shows the effect of forward scattering, occurring when the comet is between the earth and the sun, for a gas-to-dust light ratio δ90 of 0.30. (See Marcus 2007)


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.