Observation details: comet C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS)
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Daily motion of C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS)
90004972 C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS) will remain visible until November 7, when it moves too close to the Sun and temporarily disappears from the night sky.
C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS) visibility on 2026-09-16
C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS) Visible from sunset until before midnight
C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS) rise and set timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
Moonrise, 16% illuminated  | 09:41 | -12° |
| C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS) transit | 16:43 | 53° |
| Sunset | 17:13 | 52° |
| Civil sunset | 17:41 | 51° |
| Twilight start (−12°) | 18:12 | 48° |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 18:43 | 44° |
| Moonset | 19:28 | 37° |
| C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS) set | 22:43 | |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:22 | -48° |
| C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS) rise | 10:39 |
Track C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS) position throughout the night
← 16 September 2026 →
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| Altitude | |
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Shift the map to change the time and observe C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS) changing position in the night sky.
C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS) Description
This comet is designated 90004972 C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS), Jupiter-family comet. C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS) completes an orbit around the Sun in 1037905.8 years. It is currently 6.406 AU (958,344,903 km) from Earth, and is located in the constellation Ophiuchus.Current position in the Solar System: C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS)
| Date | Wed, 16 September 2026 |
| Distance from Earth | 6.40614 AU (958,344,903km) |
| Elongation | 85° |
| Angular diameter | " |
| Magnitude | 20.3 |
Finder Chart for
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| Object name | |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| coordinates | 17.2629, 0.27644 |
| Center coordinates | 17.2629, 0.27644 |
Annual motion of C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS)
| Date | Thu, 17 September 2026 |
| Twilight start | 18:37 |
| Twilight end | 03:17 |
| Twilight duration | 9h 40m |
| Rise | 10:39 |
| Set | 22:39 |
| Elevation at transit | 53° |
| Transit time | 16:39 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 17h 15m 49s", Dec: 00° 17' 33s |
| Magnitude | 20 |
| Constellation | Ophiuchus |
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 90004972 C/2026 N1 (PANSTARRS)
Coordinates and Visibility
| Right Ascension | 17h 15m 46s |
| Declination | 00° 16′ 35″ |
| Magnitude | 20.3 |
| Constellation | Ophiuchus |
| Elevation | -33.5° |
| Azimuth | 300.8° |
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.