Observation details: comet C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS)
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Daily motion of C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS)
90004970 C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS) will remain visible until December 31, when it moves too close to the Sun and temporarily disappears from the night sky.
C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS) visibility on 2026-10-17
C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS) Visible from sunset until before midnight
C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS) rise and set timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
Moonrise, 25.9% illuminated  | 11:16 | 34° |
| C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS) transit | 15:32 | 75° |
| Sunset | 16:27 | 71° |
| Civil sunset | 16:55 | 67° |
| Twilight start (−12°) | 17:25 | 61° |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 17:55 | 56° |
| Moonset | 20:29 | 25° |
| C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS) set | 22:44 | |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:51 | -30° |
| C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS) rise | 08:15 |
Track C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS) position throughout the night
← 17 October 2026 →
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Shift the map to change the time and observe C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS) changing position in the night sky.
C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS) Description
This comet is designated 90004970 C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS), Jupiter-family comet. C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS) completes an orbit around the Sun in 194770.1 years. It is currently 12.286 AU (1,837,971,407 km) from Earth, and is located in the constellation Hercules.Current position in the Solar System: C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS)
| Date | Sat, 17 October 2026 |
| Distance from Earth | 12.28608 AU (1,837,971,407km) |
| Elongation | 75° |
| Angular diameter | " |
| Magnitude | 19.9 |
Finder Chart for
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| Object name | |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| coordinates | 18.10572, 22.45389 |
| Center coordinates | 18.10572, 22.45389 |
Annual motion of C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS)
| Date | Sun, 18 October 2026 |
| Twilight start | 17:54 |
| Twilight end | 03:49 |
| Twilight duration | 10h 55m |
| Rise | 08:15 |
| Set | 22:40 |
| Elevation at transit | 75° |
| Transit time | 15:28 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 18h 06m 27s", Dec: 22° 25' 59s |
| Magnitude | 20 |
| Constellation | Hercules |
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 90004970 C/2026 L2 (PANSTARRS)
Coordinates and Visibility
| Right Ascension | 18h 06m 21s |
| Declination | 22° 27′ 14″ |
| Magnitude | 19.9 |
| Constellation | Hercules |
| Elevation | 2.7° |
| Azimuth | 296.5° |
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.