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 2026-09-27
21P/Giacobini-Zinner Rises at sunrise
21P/Giacobini-Zinner rise and set timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner transit | 09:42 | 44° |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner set | 15:13 | |
Moonrise, 99.8% illuminated  | 16:51 | -19° |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 18:25 | -38° |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:33 | -7° |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner rise | 04:07 | |
| Civil sunrise | 04:34 | 5° |
| Sunrise | 05:01 | 10° |
| Moonset | 06:07 | 22° |
Track 21P/Giacobini-Zinner position throughout the night
← 27 September 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 5.614 AU (839,797,567 km) from Earth, and is located in the constellation Crater.Current position in the Solar System: 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
| Date | Sun, 27 September 2026 |
| Distance from Earth | AU (0km) |
| Elongation | 0° |
| Angular diameter | " |
| Magnitude |
Finder Chart for
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| Object name | |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| coordinates | 10.94178, -8.9405 |
| Center coordinates | 10.94178, -8.9405 |
Annual motion of 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
| Date | Mon, 28 September 2026 |
| Twilight start | 18:23 |
| Twilight end | 03:31 |
| Twilight duration | 9h 8m |
| Rise | 04:07 |
| Set | 15:10 |
| Elevation at transit | 44° |
| Transit time | 09:38 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 10h 57m 17s", Dec: -9° 00' 54s |
| 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 | 10h 56m 30s |
| Declination | -8° 56′ 26″ |
| Magnitude | 22.5 |
| Constellation | Crater |
| Elevation | -18.4° |
| Azimuth | 272.7° |
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.