Objects in your sky: Comets
Below is a list of the brightest few comets that are visible at present.
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| Comet name | Mag | Constellation | Separation from Sun |
Trend | Latest observation from BAA Comet Section |
| Comet name | Mag | Constellation | Separation from Sun |
Trend | Latest observation from BAA Comet Section |
| C/2017 S3 (PANSTARRS) | 3.7 | Hydra | 10° | Brightening (peak at mag 2.2 on 15 Aug 2018) | 1 Aug 2018 |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner | 8.1 | Cassiopeia | 84° | Brightening (peak at mag 6.5 on 10 Sep 2018) | 31 Jul 2005 |
| C/2016 M1 (PANSTARRS) | 9.4 | Circinus | 97° | Fading (peak at mag 8.7 on 28 Jun 2018) | 1 Aug 2018 |
| C/2017 T3 (ATLAS) | 9.5 | Antlia | 42° | Fading (peak at mag 8.6 on 22 Jul 2018) | 1 Aug 2018 |
| C/2018 N1 (NEOWISE) | 11.3 | Libra | 97° | Fading (peak at mag 9.2 on 27 Jul 2018) | 1 Aug 2018 |
| 37P/Forbes | 11.3 | Pisces | 142° | Fading (peak at mag 11.2 on 5 Jul 2018) | 1 Aug 2018 |
| 48P/Johnson | 12.2 | Aquarius | 161° | Brightening (peak at mag 12.2 on 19 Aug 2018) | 1 Aug 2018 |
| C/2016 R2 (PANSTARRS) | 12.4 | Ursa Major | 38° | Brightening | 1 Aug 2018 |
| C/2016 N6 (PANSTARRS) | 12.4 | Cancer | 15° | Brightening (peak at mag 12.2 on 28 Nov 2018) | 1 Jun 2018 |
| C/2018 EF9 (Lemmon) | 12.6 | Draco | 89° | Fading | 1 Jun 2018 |
| 66P/du Toit | 13.3 | Cetus | 124° | Fading | 1 Aug 2018 |
| 69P/Taylor | 13.4 | Eridanus | 92° | Brightening (peak at mag 11.9 on 2 Dec 2018) | None available |
| 240P/NEAT | 13.4 | Gemini | 29° | Fading | 1 Mar 2018 |
| 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh | 13.6 | Virgo | 44° | Fading | 29 Feb 2012 |
| C/2018 L2 (ATLAS) | 13.7 | Virgo | 75° | Brightening (peak at mag 12.7 on 10 Dec 2018) | 1 Aug 2018 |
| C/2017 M4 (ATLAS) | 13.8 | Hercules | 95° | Brightening | 1 Aug 2018 |
| C/2015 O1 (PANSTARRS) | 13.9 | Ursa Major | 38° | Fading | 1 Aug 2018 |
| 46P/Wirtanen | 13.9 | Cetus | 127° | Brightening (peak at mag 3.2 on 16 Dec 2018) | 21 Apr 2008 |
| C/2015 V2 (Johnson) | 14.3 | Eridanus | 114° | Fading | 19 Oct 2017 |
| 65P/Gunn | 14.4 | Aquarius | 152° | Brightening (peak at mag 14.4 on 16 Aug 2018) | 1 Aug 2017 |
| C/2014 S2 (PANSTARRS) | 15.2 | Hydra | 60° | Fading | 3 Aug 2016 |
| 59P/Kearns-Kwee | 15.7 | Auriga | 51° | Brightening (peak at mag 14.7 on 24 Dec 2018) | 31 Dec 2099 |
| 78P/Gehrels | 16.0 | Aquarius | 168° | Brightening (peak at mag 12.0 on 24 Mar 2019) | 3 Jan 2012 |
| C/2016 N4 (MASTER) | 16.2 | Ursa Major | 46° | Fading | 2 Nov 2017 |
| C/2015 VL62 (Lemmon-Yeung-PANSTARRS) | 16.4 | Libra | 97° | Fading | 19 Oct 2017 |
The position of each comet is calculated from orbital elements published by the Minor Planet Center (MPC), and is typically known with a high degree of confidence.
Where possible, magnitudes are estimated from observations sent into the BAA Comet Section, as compiled by Jonathan Shanklin. We avoid using the MPC's own magnitude estimates, since they are rarely updated. Nonetheless, comets are intrinsically unpredictable objects, and magnitude estimates must always be taken with a pinch of salt.
Click on the names of individual comets to display six-month ephemerides and finder charts.