Observation details: comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
Daily motion of 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
90000324 21P/Giacobini-Zinner will become visible again around November 12 after moving far enough from the Sun.
21P/Giacobini-Zinner visibility on 2026-10-17
21P/Giacobini-Zinner Visible from early morning until sunrise
21P/Giacobini-Zinner rise and set timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner transit | 08:38 | 42° |
Moonrise, 25.9% illuminated  | 11:16 | 29° |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner set | 14:05 | |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 17:55 | -45° |
| Moonset | 20:29 | -63° |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner rise | 03:08 | |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:51 | 8° |
| Twilight end (−12°) | 04:21 | 14° |
| Civil sunrise | 04:51 | 19° |
| Sunrise | 05:19 | 24° |
Track 21P/Giacobini-Zinner position throughout the night
← 17 October 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
This comet is designated 90000324 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, Encke-type comet. 21P/Giacobini-Zinner completes an orbit around the Sun in 6.6 years. It is currently 5.572 AU (833,619,175 km) from Earth, and is located in the constellation Crater.Current position in the Solar System: 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
| Date | Sat, 17 October 2026 |
| Distance from Earth | 5.5724 AU (833,619,175km) |
| Elongation | 34° |
| Angular diameter | " |
| Magnitude | 22.5 |
Finder Chart for
Double-click to unlock the map.
| Object name | |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| coordinates | 11.19186, -10.46325 |
| Center coordinates | 11.19186, -10.46325 |
Annual motion of 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
| Date | Sun, 18 October 2026 |
| Twilight start | 17:54 |
| Twilight end | 03:49 |
| Twilight duration | 10h 55m |
| Rise | 03:04 |
| Set | 13:57 |
| Elevation at transit | 42° |
| Transit time | 08:31 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 11h 12m 12s", Dec: -10° 32' 24s |
| Magnitude | 23 |
| Constellation | Crater |
The graph summarizes the object’s annual visibility, daily observing windows and transit times.
The vertical axis shows time of day and the horizontal axis shows the days of the year.
The shaded area marks when the object is above the horizon; the white line marks daily transit. You can also view the detailed annual visibility table.
The vertical axis shows time of day and the horizontal axis shows the days of the year.
The shaded area marks when the object is above the horizon; the white line marks daily transit. You can also view the detailed annual visibility table.
Astrometric and Physical Parameters of 90000324 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
Coordinates and Visibility
| Right Ascension | 11h 11m 31s |
| Declination | -10° 27′ 48″ |
| Magnitude | 22.5 |
| Constellation | Crater |
| Elevation | -58.4° |
| Azimuth | 36.4° |
Acknowledgments
Orbital and small-body data are provided by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Small-Body Database (SBDB) and Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). These resources support accurate positions, orbits and physical characteristics.