C/2024 G2 (ATLAS)
ephemeris date magn radius delta ra dec elong phase PA
Nearest approach9 Apr 202517.65.370 AU4.554 AU11h33m-39°44'141.0°6.7°42°
Perihelion13 Jun 202517.95.348 AU5.177 AU11h04m-23°30'94.2°10.9°114°
Today15 Sep 202518.35.394 AU6.348 AU11h40m-13°57'16.8°3.1°175°
C/2024 G2 (ATLAS)- 2025-09-15
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 G2 (ATLAS) are:

            e (Eccentricity)                : 0.9925860
            q (Perihelion distance)         : 5.3482560
            i (Inclination)                 : 122.12300
            Ω (Longitude of ascending node) : 171.39810
            ω (Argument of perihelion)      : 328.73960
            L (Longitude of perihelion)     : 189.28813
            B (Latitude of perihelion)      : -26.07102
            T (Time of perihelion passage)  : 2460840.04520
            P (Orbital period in years)     : 19374.90

            Epoch                           : 2025 Sep 15
            Reference                       : MPC186631

            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 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. (7.00 + 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.



Ephemerides:
Date       Time       RA (2000)    DEC (2000)    delta   radius  elong  phase   PA    magn
2025-09-15 00:00 UT   11 39 51.4   -13 59 37     6.345    5.393   17.3    3.2   172   18.3 
2025-09-15 22:37 UT   11 40 20.9   -13 57 40     6.348    5.394   16.8    3.1   175   18.3 
2025-09-16 00:00 UT   11 40 22.7   -13 57 33     6.349    5.394   16.8    3.1   175   18.3 
2025-09-17 00:00 UT   11 40 54.1   -13 55 33     6.352    5.395   16.3    3.0   177   18.3 
2025-09-18 00:00 UT   11 41 25.4   -13 53 35     6.355    5.396   15.9    2.9   180   18.3 
2025-09-19 00:00 UT   11 41 56.6   -13 51 39     6.358    5.397   15.5    2.8   183   18.3 
2025-09-20 00:00 UT   11 42 27.8   -13 49 46     6.361    5.398   15.1    2.8   186   18.3 
2025-09-21 00:00 UT   11 42 59.0   -13 47 55     6.363    5.399   14.8    2.7   189   18.3 
2025-09-22 00:00 UT   11 43 30.1   -13 46 06     6.366    5.400   14.5    2.7   192   18.3 
2025-09-23 00:00 UT   11 44 01.2   -13 44 19     6.367    5.401   14.3    2.6   196   18.3 
2025-09-24 00:00 UT   11 44 32.1   -13 42 35     6.369    5.402   14.1    2.6   199   18.3 
2025-09-25 00:00 UT   11 45 03.0   -13 40 52     6.370    5.403   14.0    2.6   203   18.3 

































































    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.