Comet Chasing in August
Comet chasing is the visual observation of telescopic comets. Jump to: Observing synopses Summary data Buy me a Coffee
There is one comet visible in binoculars from both hemispheres this month, 10P/Temple.. See the Observing Synopses for which comets are visible from your latitude, the best dates and the time of night.
10P/Tempel is a periodic comet with an orbital period of 5.4 years. Perihelion on August 2, 2026 at a distance of 1.4 AU.
220P/McNaught experienced a significant outburst of up to 7 magnitudes in June. Briefly at magnitude ~8, it has faded to 13th magnitude (August 1).
C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) passed perihelion on April 19, when it was also 0.5 AU of the earth.
88P/Howell is a periodic comet with an orbital period of 5.5 years. It passed perihelion in March 2026 at a distance of 1.4 AU.
29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann has frequent outbursts, typically resulting in a brightening of 1-4.0 magnitudes. It varies in its distance from the Sun from 5.8 AU (at perihelion) to 6.3 AU (at aphelion), which is an unusually small variation for a comet, and remains quite far from the sun at all times. This means that it can be observed more or less continuously. See Mission 29P from the BAA for up to date information.
C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) passed perihelion on January 20 2026.
24P/Schaumasse is a periodic comet with an 8.2 year orbital period. Perihelion was on January 8, 2026.
C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) is an amazing comet that brightened quickly in late August and became a naked eye object in October and November. There were reports of fans, streamers, and other structures apparent in the eyepiece at high magnification. It is now on its way out.
C/2025 T1 (ATLAS) passed perihelion in early December. It reached maximum brightness of magnitude 11.2 in mid November.
C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) fragmented, splitting into at least three parts (November 10). It has since faded. This comet was discovered on May 24. It passed perihelion on October 8.
240P/NEAT is a periodic comet with a 7.6 year orbital period. Perihelion was on December 19. It split into a second, fainter component (240P-B) in October.
235P/LINEAR is a periodic comet with a 6.4 year orbital period. Perihelion was on December 22 at a distance of 2.0 AU. It is currently predicted to reach maximum brightness of magnitude 12.5 in late April 2026.
210P/Christensen is a periodic comet with a 5.6 year orbital period. Perihelion is on November 22, when it will also be within 0.5 AU of the earth.
C/2025 R2 (SWAN) was identified by Vladimir Bezugly in SWAN images around 2025-09-11 (visible in SWAN since at least Sep 4, with STEREO-A/HI-1 detections into late August. C/2025 R2 (SWAN) is past perihelion, which occurred in mid September 2025. On September 12 this comet passed within 0.3 AU of the earth. It reached maximum brightness in late September
C/2021 G2 (ATLAS) is past perihelion, which occurred in early September 2024. It reached maximum brightness of magnitude 14 in late August.
3I/ATLAS is the 3rd interstellar comet. It is on it way out of the solar system, and fading rapidly. It passed closest to the sun on October 29 at a distance of 1.4 AU.
C/2026 A1 (MAPS) has apparently disintegrated (see below for more info). It reached perihelion on April 4 at a distance of just 0.005 AU. This was a Kreutz sungrazer comet; possbly a fragment of the Great Comet of 1106.
C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein) is an interesting Oort cloud comet that was reported as a result of the Dark Energy Survey. Soon after it was made public, images showed a cometary coma. Discovery credit goes to Pedro Bernardinelli and Gary Bernstein. This is a remarkable comet that was at 29 AU in 2014, with a perihelion of 10.9 AU in 2031. Its orbit extends out to 40,000 AU! It was unusually bright for its distance. HST observations that isolate the nucleus estimate the diameter to be between 120 and 140 km, making this possibly the largest comet nucleus yet measured. Because of its distant perihelion, this comet is not expected to become bright enough to be visually observed except in large instruments, and not until the end of the decade, but it is likely going to be the subject of intense scientific scrutiny.
Comets that have apparently di
sintegrated: C/2026 A1 (MAPS), C/2025 F2, C/2024 G3, C/2024 S1 (ATLAS), C/2022 S3 (PANSTARRS), C/2021 P4 (ATLAS), C/2020 Q1 (Borisov), C/2020 P1 (NEOWISE), and C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS). Beware that various sources often fail to keep track of whether a comet still exists!Comet Visibility in the Eyepiece
When you read below that a particular aperture is required to see a comet you can have a reasonable degree of confidence that the comet can in fact be seen in the eyepiece.
This
page uses code developed for SkyTools to predict the visibility of a comet. Predicting how much
aperture is required to see a comet is a very complex task. The magnitude
alone is a very poor predictor. SkyTools considers the magnitude, coma
diameter, and degree of concentration of the comet, based on recent
observations.The predictions are made for a Country/Suburban site,
which is approximately
Bortle
5, unless
indicated otherwise. But always
remember, comets are like cats. They both have tails and do what they want, and
not always what we expect. This is one of the things that makes comet chasing
interesting!
Observing
Synopses for August
Explanation
of Comet Synopses and charts (read this if you have questions) 10P/Tempel: A midnight
comet visible in binoculars under a dark sky C/2023 R1 (PANSTARRS): An
evening comet visible in a 12.5-inch (32 cm) telescope at a dark site 169P/NEAT: An evening
comet visible in a 14-inch (36 cm) telescope at a dark site 78P/Gehrels: A morning
comet visible in a 14-inch (36 cm) telescope at a dark site 88P/Howell: A morning
comet visible in a 16-inch (41 cm) telescope at a dark site 220P/McNaught: A morning
comet visible in a 16-inch (41 cm) telescope at a dark site C/2024 J3 (ATLAS): An
evening comet visible in an 18-inch (46 cm) telescope at a dark site 260P/McNaught: A morning
comet visible in a 24-inch telescope at a dark site Summary
Data for This Month's Telescopic Comets
This comet begins the month in Capricornus at magnitude 8.1.
Look for a 5.5' coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse.
This comets history suggests that it will continue to brighten by up to a
magnitude in August. Our current predictions are based on a normal fading
instead. As a result, it may be brighter and more easily visible than our
predictions currently suggest. It will move into Piscis Austrinus by month's
end. The best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern
hemisphere. FINDER CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 1
Visibility August 8
Visibility August 15
Visibility August 22
Visibility August 29
Nights Visible
55o
N
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
1-23
40o
N
Fairly high in the southern sky
in moonlight at ~01:10
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~00:50
Low in the southern sky at
~00:30
Low in the southern sky at
~00:10
Not visible
1-
Equator
High in moonlight at ~00:10
High at ~00:50
High at ~00:30
High at ~01:50
High in moonlight at ~23:00
1-
30o S
Fairly high at ~20:50
High at ~00:50
High at ~00:30
High at ~02:50
Fairly high at ~19:40
1-
This comet begins the month in Libra at magnitude 13.9. Look for
a 35" coma, condensation is a diffuse spot in coma center; moderately
condensed. It should fade by about 0.6 magnitudes by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 1
Visibility August 8
Visibility August 15
Visibility August 22
Visibility August 29
Nights Visible
55o
N
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
1-12
40o
N
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~20:50
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~20:40
Fairly high in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~20:20
Not visible
Not visible
1-
Equator
High at ~19:30
High at ~19:20
High during evening twilight at
~19:20
High during evening twilight at
~19:10
High during evening twilight at
~19:10
1-
30o S
High at ~19:10
High at ~19:00
High in moonlight at ~19:00
High during evening twilight at
~19:00
High during evening twilight at
~19:00
1-
This comet begins the month in Hercules at magnitude 13.9. Look
for a 1.5' coma. It should brighten rapidly, moving into Leo by month's end.
FINDER CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 1
Visibility August 8
Visibility August 15
Visibility August 22
Visibility August 29
Nights Visible
55o
N
High during evening twilight at
~22:30
High during evening twilight at
~22:20
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~21:50
Not visible
Not visible
1-21
40o
N
High during evening twilight at
~21:00
High during evening twilight at
~20:50
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~20:30
Not visible
Not visible
1-21
Equator
High at ~20:10
High during evening twilight at
~19:20
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
1-18
30o S
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
1-13
This comet begins the month in Taurus at magnitude 13.3. Look
for a 50" coma, diffuse condensation at center. It should remain constant,
moving into Gemini by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 1
Visibility August 8
Visibility August 15
Visibility August 22
Visibility August 29
Nights Visible
55o
N
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~02:50
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:10
4-
40o
N
Not visible
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:40
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:50
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~03:50
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:00
1-
Equator
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~05:00
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~05:00
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~05:00
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:50
High during morning twilight at
~04:50
1-
30o S
Not visible
Not visible
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~05:20
Fairly high in the northern sky
during morning twilight at ~05:10
Not visible
1-
This comet begins the month in Aries at magnitude 12.8. Look for
a 2.5' coma, diffuse condensation at center. It should fade by about 0.6
magnitudes by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 1
Visibility August 8
Visibility August 15
Visibility August 22
Visibility August 29
Nights Visible
55o
N
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
1-27
40o
N
Not visible
High during morning twilight at
~03:30
High during morning twilight at
~03:40
High during morning twilight at
~03:40
Not visible
1-26
Equator
Not visible
High in moonlight at ~04:50
High at ~04:50
High at ~04:40
Not visible
1-26
30o S
Not visible
High in moonlight at ~05:20
High at ~05:10
High at ~05:00
Not visible
1-26
This comet begins the month in Cetus at magnitude 13.6. Look for
a 1' coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It should
remain constant. FINDER CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 1
Visibility August 8
Visibility August 15
Visibility August 22
Visibility August 29
Nights Visible
55o
N
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~02:40
Not visible
1-28
40o
N
Not visible
High during morning twilight at
~03:30
High during morning twilight at
~03:40
High during morning twilight at
~03:40
Not visible
1-28
Equator
Not visible
High in moonlight at ~04:50
High at ~04:50
High at ~04:40
Not visible
1-28
30o S
Not visible
High in moonlight at ~05:10
High at ~05:10
High at ~05:00
Not visible
1-29
This comet begins the month in Lyra at magnitude 13.8. Look for
a 60" coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It
should remain constant. FINDER
CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 1
Visibility August 8
Visibility August 15
Visibility August 22
Visibility August 29
Nights Visible
55o
N
High during evening twilight at
~22:30
High during evening twilight at
~22:50
High during evening twilight at
~22:20
High at ~21:50
High during evening twilight at
~20:50
1-
40o
N
High during evening twilight at
~21:00
High at ~21:50
High at ~21:20
High at ~23:30
High during evening twilight at
~19:50
1-
Equator
High at ~20:50
High at ~21:50
High at ~21:20
High in moonlight at ~20:50
High at ~19:20
1-
30o S
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
Not visible
1-22, 28-
This comet begins the month in Aries at magnitude 14.9. Look for
a 35" coma, condensation is a diffuse spot in coma center; moderately
condensed. It should brighten slowly, moving into Perseus by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude
Visibility August 1
Visibility August 8
Visibility August 15
Visibility August 22
Visibility August 29
Nights Visible
55o
N
Not visible
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~02:00
High during morning twilight at
~02:20
High during morning twilight at
~02:30
High during morning twilight at
~03:00
1-
40o
N
High during morning twilight at
~03:20
High during morning twilight at
~03:30
High during morning twilight at
~03:40
High during morning twilight at
~03:40
High during morning twilight at
~04:00
1-
Equator
High during morning twilight at
~04:50
High during morning twilight at
~04:50
High at ~04:50
High at ~04:50
High during morning twilight at
~04:50
1-
30o S
Not visible
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~05:20
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~05:20
Fairly high in the northern sky
during morning twilight at ~05:10
Not visible
1-
Comets
brighter than 16th magnitude. This table is
updated as necessary. The last column indicates the date of the last
observation used to compute these values. The constellation listed is
where the comet was on the first of the month.
| Comet | Constellation |
August 1st |
August 15th |
August 31st |
Observations as of (UT) | |||
| Mag | Diam | Mag | Diam | Mag | Diam | |||
| 10P/Tempel | Capricornus | 8.4 | 5.5' | 8.5 | 5.4' | 9.1 | 4.9' | 2026 July 29 |
| 88P/Howell | Aries | 12.9 | 2.2' | 13.2 | 2.3' | 13.5 | 2.4' | 2026 June 18 |
| 78P/Gehrels | Taurus | 13.5 | 48" | 13.5 | 50" | 13.4 | 53" | 2026 July 25 |
| 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann | Leo | 13.6 | 1.3' | 13.7 | 1.2' | 13.7 | 1.2' | 2026 June 18 |
| 220P/McNaught | Cetus | 13.6 | 1.1' | 13.6 | 1.2' | 13.6 | 1.2' | 2026 July 28 |
| C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) | Canis Major | 13.8 | 1.6' | 14.4 | 1.5' | 15.0 | 1.5' | 2026 June 25 |
| 169P/NEAT | Hercules | 13.9 | 1.1' | 13.1 | 1.3' | 13.7 | 47" | 2026 July 29 |
| C/2024 J3 (ATLAS) | Lyra | 14.1 | 60" | 14.1 | 59" | 14.1 | 58" | 2026 June 19 |
| C/2023 R1 (PANSTARRS) | Libra | 14.2 | 34" | 14.5 | 31" | 14.8 | 28" | 2026 July 28 |
| 260P/McNaught | Aries | 14.9 | 35" | 14.8 | 36" | 14.8 | 38" | 2026 July 28 |
| C/2024 R4 (PANSTARRS) | Cygnus | 15.5 | 29" | 15.4 | 30" | 15.3 | 30" | 2026 July 28 |
| 63P/Wild | Leo | 15.6 | 40" | 15.7 | 38" | 15.9 | 37" | 2026 June 19 |
| C/2026 A2 (Bok) | Ursa Minor | 16.0 | 42" | 15.7 | 44" | 15.4 | 48" | 2026 July 29 |
| 161P/Hartley-IRAS | Eridanus | 17.1 | 23" | 16.2 | 28" | 15.0 | 39" | 2026 July 24 |
For information about specific comets see Gary W. Kronk's Cometography
Make your own visual observing custom charts for your location and telescope/binoculars: Software for visual comet observing
Select comets that are appropriate for your
imaging system, and plan when they are best imaged: Software
for comet imaging
| Links
Skyhound's Guide
to Comets
|