Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner Observation Details
21P/Giacobini-Zinner Daily Motion
90000323 21P/Giacobini-Zinner will be visible until May, 22, when it will move too close to the Sun. During this time, its proximity to the Sun will cause it to disappear from the night sky, making it unobservable for a while.
21P/Giacobini-Zinner Visibility on April 22
90000323 21P/Giacobini-Zinner is visible from sunset through most of the night
21P/Giacobini-Zinner Rise and Set Timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
Moon Rise, 17.2% illuminated  | 07:30 | -56° |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner rise | 12:32 | |
| Sunset | 17:47 | 44° |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner transit | 18:04 | 44° |
| Civil sunset | 18:16 | 44° |
| Twighlight start | 18:48 | 43° |
| Astrosession begin | 19:23 | 40° |
| Moon Set | 23:21 | 3° |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner set | 23:36 | |
| Astrosession end | 02:48 | -38° |
Track 21P/Giacobini-Zinner Position Throughout the Night
← Wed, 22 April 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe 21P/Giacobini-Zinner changing position in the night sky.
21P/Giacobini-Zinner Description
21P/Giacobini-Zinner, designated as 90000323 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, is an Encke-type comet. At the moment, 90000323 21P/Giacobini-Zinner is 3.502 AU (523,936,623 km) from Earth, and it is located in the constellation Hydra.Current position of 21P/Giacobini-Zinner in Solar System
| Date | Wed, 22 April 2026 |
| Distance from Earth to 21P/Giacobini-Zinner | 3.5023 AU (523,936,623km) |
| Elongation | 106° |
| Angular diameter | " |
| Magnitude | 20.8 |
Finder Chart for 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
Double-click to unlock the map.
| Object name | 90000323 21P/Giacobini-Zinner |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| 90000323 21P/Giacobini-Zinner coordinates | 8.95632, -8.77381 |
| Center coordinates | 8.95632, -8.77381 |
Annual motion of 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
| Date | Thu, 23 April 2026 |
| Twighlight start | 19:23 |
| Twighlight end | 02:46 |
| Twighlight duration | 7h 23m |
| Rise | 12:28 |
| Set | 23:33 |
| Elevation at transit | 44° |
| Transit time | 18:00 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 08h 57m 38s", Dec: -8° 38' 42s |
| Magnitude | 21 |
| Constellation | Hydra |
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of a 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, providing a comprehensive overview of its daily appearances and transit times throughout the year.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the 21P/Giacobini-Zinner is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit. You can also view detailed visibility information in a dedicated table, including exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the 21P/Giacobini-Zinner is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit. You can also view detailed visibility information in a dedicated table, including exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.
Astrometric & Physical Parameters of 90000323 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
Coordinates & Visibility
| Right Ascension | 8.95632° |
| Declination | -8.77381° |
| Magnitude | 20.8 |
| Constellation | Hydra |
| Elevation | 42.7° |
| Azimuth | 165.1° |
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for providing essential data on asteroids and comets through their Small-Body Database (SBDB) and Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). Their continuous efforts in tracking and cataloging these celestial bodies make it possible to offer accurate and up-to-date information on their positions, orbits, and physical characteristics.