Observation details: comet 78P/Gehrels 2
Daily motion of 78P/Gehrels 2
90000846 78P/Gehrels 2 will remain visible until May 29, when it moves too close to the Sun and temporarily disappears from the night sky.
78P/Gehrels 2 visibility on 2026-08-18
90000846 78P/Gehrels 2 Visible from early morning until sunrise
78P/Gehrels 2 rise and set timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
Moonrise, 21% illuminated  | 09:49 | 54° |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 19:32 | -32° |
| Moonset | 20:26 | -30° |
| 78P/Gehrels 2 rise | 00:14 | |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 02:51 | 30° |
| Twilight end | 03:26 | 37° |
| Civil sunrise | 03:59 | 43° |
| Sunrise | 04:28 | 49° |
| 78P/Gehrels 2 transit | 07:18 | 73° |
Track 78P/Gehrels 2 Position Throughout the Night
← 18 August 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe 78P/Gehrels 2 changing position in the night sky.
78P/Gehrels 2 Description
This comet is designated 90000846 78P/Gehrels 2, Encke-type comet. 78P/Gehrels 2 completes an orbit around the Sun in 7.2 years. It is currently 2.454 AU (367,101,207 km) from Earth, and is located in the constellation Orion.Current position in the Solar System: 78P/Gehrels 2
| Date | Tue, 18 August 2026 |
| Distance from Earth | 2.45031 AU (366,561,159km) |
| Elongation | 55° |
| Angular diameter | " |
| Magnitude | 15.2 |
Finder Chart for 78P/Gehrels 2
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| Object name | 78P/Gehrels 2 |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| 78P/Gehrels 2 coordinates | 5.96723, 20.45047 |
| Center coordinates | 5.96723, 20.45047 |
Annual motion of 78P/Gehrels 2
| Date | Tue, 18 August 2026 |
| Twilight start | 19:28 |
| Twilight end | 02:44 |
| Twilight duration | 7h 17m |
| Rise | 00:15 |
| Set | 14:24 |
| Elevation at transit | 73° |
| Transit time | 07:19 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 06h 00m 12s", Dec: 20° 24' 37s |
| Magnitude | 15 |
| Constellation | Orion |
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 90000846 78P/Gehrels 2
Coordinates and Visibility
| Right Ascension | 5.96723° |
| Declination | 20.45047° |
| Magnitude | 15.2 |
| Constellation | Orion |
| Elevation | 60.8° |
| Azimuth | 117.7° |
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.