Observing Geometry for the 2018 Apparition

The plots presented here are for general planning purposes. If you need more detailed values for the different geometric conditions, use the JPL Horizons routines to compute the values for your specific situation.



Heliocentric and Geocentric Distances

2017 2018 2019
2017 Plot of Heliocentric and Geocentric Distances 2018 Plot of Heliocentric and Geocentric Distances 2019 Plot of Heliocentric and Geocentric Distances
PDF Version PDF Version PDF Version


Solar Elongation and Solar Phase Angle

2017 2018 2019
2017 Solar Elongation and Phase Angle 2018 Solar Elongation and Phase Angle 2019 Solar Elongation and Phase Angle
PDF Version PDF Version PDF Version


Orbit Plane Angle

2017 2018 2019
2017 Orbit Plane Angle 2018 Orbit Plane Angle 2019 Orbit Plane Angle
PDF Version PDF Version PDF Version


Predicted Brightness

2017 2018 2019
2017 Predicted Brightness 2018 Predicted Brightness 2019 Predicted Brightness
PDF Version PDF Version PDF Version


True Anomaly

2017 2018 2019
2017 True Anomaly 2018 True Anomaly 2019 True Anomaly
PDF Version PDF Version PDF Version



Rise, set and visibility from different latitudes

The comet rises and sets at different times depending on the observer's latitude and longitude. The plots below provide information for approximating when the comet will be visible, and how long it will be observable from a given location on a given date.

Plots are given for latitude intervals of 5°, which is usually close enough for general planning purposes. Rise and set times are given in UTC for 0° longitude. For other longitudes, these times will be approximate to the local time, which should again be sufficient for basic planning purposes. Note, however, that there will be an offset (typically < 1/2 hr) for different longitudes, so more accuracy is needed, then you should obtain a more detailed ephemeris.

How to read these plots

We provide a more detailed description of the Rise/Set and visibility plots, and an example of how to read the information here (PDF).

Comet visibility (TimeUp) and Rise/Set plots

2017 2018 2019
+50° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
+45° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
+40° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
+35° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
+30° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
+25° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
+20° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
+15° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
+10° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
 +5° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
   0° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
 -5° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
-10° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
-15° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
-20° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
-25° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
-30° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
-35° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
-40° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
-45° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set
-50° Latitude Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set Timeup Rise/Set