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Pretty package

Explore the Night with Bob King

Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner Shines in September

Watch a binocular-bright comet leapfrog across Auriga in the next few weeks before a remarkable conjunction with the bright star cluster, M35.

Celestial News & Events

PanSTARRS Comet, Rocked by Outburst, Goes Green

Comet PanSTARRS (C/2017 S3) has erupted again! Now bright enough to see in binoculars, it might become a naked-eye object if it survives until perihelion.

Explore the Night with Bob King

Catch these Comets in 2018

We look ahead to see what fuzzy visitors, new and returning, will brighten the nights ahead. One and possibly two naked-eye comets are on the way.

Explore the Night with Bob King

Comet Lovejoy Brightens Quickly, Heads North

Terry Lovejoy's new comet has gone from faint to bright in just three weeks and is now a tempting binocular target at dawn.

Comet 45P

Celestial News & Events

Green Comet 45P Makes Close Earth Flyby

Green-glowing 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova will make an unusually close pass by Earth on Saturday. Watch it boogie across the morning sky this week!

Finder Chart Comet 45P/

Explore the Night with Bob King

Bright Prospects for Comets in 2017

Comet lovers have much to look forward to in the new year with six potential bright binocular comets and at least two others for modest backyard telescopes.

Comet Triple Crown

Explore the Night with Bob King

Comet Campaign Seeks Imagers Worldwide

Calling all imagers! Three comets will make close flybys of Earth over the next two years. Join a new pro-am effort to make the most of this rare triple play.

Explore the Night with Bob King

Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 Blows Its Top . . . Again!

An otherwise faint and distant periodic comet underwent a bright outburst at the end of last month. Now it's visible in amateur telescopes at nightfall.

Comets

See Comet PanSTARRS (C/2013 X1) in Binoculars at Dawn

An old friend from winter returns for an encore in the morning sky. Already visible in binoculars, Comet PanSTARRS (C/2013 X1) may reach naked-eye visibility in June.

252P Drags its Tail

Celestial News & Events

Up, Up, and Away with Comet 252P

With the Moon finally put to bed and Comet 252P still bright, there's no better time than now to see it. Nearby Mars and Saturn only sweeten the deal.

Telescopic view of Comet 252P/LINEAR

Comets

Comet 252P Zooms North, BA14 Grows Tail

Splintered comet duo 252P/LINEAR and P/2016 BA14 liven up both dusk and dawn this week. Naked-eye 252P finally debuts in northern skies, while BA14 makes a beeline through the Big Dipper.

And Lo - A Tail!

Comets

Comet PanSTARRS 2016's Historic Flyby of Earth

Not one, but two, possibly related comets will make exceptionally close flybys of Earth on March 21–22. Here's what we know and a guide on how to see them.

Blue Q-tip

Celestial News & Events

Catalina Comet Sails Into Northern Skies

Comet Catalina returns this month with naked-eye potential. Follow its every move with our guide and maps.

Comet 67P/C-G

Celestial Objects to Observe

Rosetta's Comet Beckons At Dawn

Northern hemisphere observers have this month and next to get their best look at Rosetta's comet, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Roller-coaster ride south

Explore the Night with Bob King

C/2014 Q1 (PanSTARRS): Next Naked-Eye Comet?

Comet C/2014 Q1 PanSTARRS has been skirting the northern horizon since mid-June. Now it's ready to dip Down Under, where it may be visible with the naked eye in evening twilight.

Explore the Night with Bob King

Rosetta's Comet Campaign Wants YOU!

Participate in a world-wide campaign to observe and photograph Comet 67P/C-G as it approaches and recedes from the Sun with Rosetta in tow. Your observations matter.

Lovejoy-and-M79_Schur

Celestial News & Events

Where to See Comet Lovejoy Tonight

The new Comet Lovejoy, C/2014 Q2, should brighten from 5th to 4th magnitude from late December through January as it climbs into excellent viewing position for the Northern Hemisphere, high in the dark winter sky.

Comets

Binocular Comet Lovejoy Heading Our Way

A new Comet Lovejoy, C/2014 Q2, is heading our way. It may brighten to 5th magnitude from late December through much of January as it climbs into excellent viewing position for the Northern Hemisphere, high in the dark winter sky.

Edgar Wilson Award plaque

Comets

The Edgar Wilson Award

Thanks to a generous bequest, each year amateur astronomers earn a beautiful plaque and a cash prize for discovering one or more comets.

Comet Sherrod

On the Road with David Levy

How to Report a Comet Discovery

So you think you’ve found a comet? Here are some steps to follow in verifying your find.