{"id":785737,"date":"2024-07-14T06:17:54","date_gmt":"2024-07-14T11:17:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=785737"},"modified":"2024-07-14T06:17:54","modified_gmt":"2024-07-14T11:17:54","slug":"comet-13p-olbers-will-be-closest-to-earth-on-july-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=785737","title":{"rendered":"Comet 13P\/Olbers will be closest to Earth on July 20"},"content":{"rendered":"


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View larger. | Comet 13P\/Olbers makes its closest approach to Earth on July 20, 2024. Astrophotographers can take long-exposure images or stack them to obtain amazing results like this one, which shows Comet 13P\/Olbers over Terna, Slovakia. Image via Petr Horalek. Used with permission.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Comet 13P\/Olbers approaches Earth<\/h3>\n

Comet 13P\/Olbers is returning to the inner solar system after 68 years. And you can currently see it in binoculars! The periodic comet made its perihelion \u2013 or closest approach to the sun \u2013 on June 30. Comet 13P\/Olbers will be closest to Earth on Saturday, July 20. It\u2019s currently in Ursa Major but moving quickly toward Leo Minor, in the northwestern sky. <\/p>\n

During closest approach, the comet will be passing at 176 million miles (283.5 million km) from our planet. Even at that distance, Comet 13P\/Olbers is currently the brightest comet in our skies. The celestial visitor orbits the sun every 68 years (67.9 to be exact), according to NASA\/JPL. Since it returns and has an orbit of less than 200 years, it receives the classification of a periodic, or \u201cHalley-type,\u201d comet.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s currently approaching the inner solar system at a speed of 83,802 miles per hour (134,867 kph) relative to Earth.<\/p>\n

Observing Comet 13P\/Olbers<\/h3>\n

The best time to observe (with binoculars or a small telescope) and photograph Comet 13P\/Olbers is this week. Comet 13P\/Olbers has a brightness of magnitude 6.5 to 7, which means it\u2019s not visible to the unaided eye. But it should be observable with binoculars.<\/p>\n

Observers with binoculars or a small telescope in the Northern Hemisphere will have the best chance of seeing the comet. Meanwhile, observers using optical aid close to the equator might be able to spot it very low on the horizon just after sunset.<\/p>\n

On July 16, just after sunset, Comet 13P\/Olbers will pass close to NGC 3104, an irregular galaxy in Leo Minor. It\u2019s a great opportunity for astrophotographers.<\/p>\n

During closest approach on July 20, 2024, the celestial visitor will pass close to galaxy NGC 3219 on the dome of our sky. Thus, the distant galaxy will be a convenient reference to point a computerized or \u201cGo To\u201d telescope.<\/p>\n

\"Comet
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | George Cassutto in Brunswick, Maryland, captured Comet 13P\/Olbers on July 1, 2024, around 9 p.m. Thank you, George! Find out how to see the comet for yourself, below.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Finder maps<\/h3>\n
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Look for Comet 13P\/Olbers on July 14, 2024, between Ursa Major and Leo Minor. Face northwest just after sunset and use binoculars or a telescope. Image via Stellarium\/ Eddie Irizarry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Here\u2019s a closer look at the location of Comet 13P\/Olbers and nearby stars on July 14, 2024. Image via Stellarium\/ Eddie Irizarry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Here\u2019s a closeup view of Comet 13P\/Olbers and the stars it will be near on July 16, 2024. Image via Stellarium\/ Eddie Irizarry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Comet 13P\/Olbers finder map for July 18, 2024. Look northwest with binoculars or a telescope after sunset. Image via Stellarium\/ Eddie Irizarry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fuzzy
Here\u2019s a closeup look at Comet 13P\/Olbers on July 18, 2024. Image via Stellarium\/ Eddie Irizarry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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This finder chart shows the location of Comet 13P\/Olbers on July 20, 2024. This is the date of the comet\u2019s closest approach to Earth. Image via Stellarium\/ Eddie Irizarry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Star
Here\u2019s a closeup look at the location of Comet 13P\/Olbers and the surrounding stars on July 20, 2024. Image via Stellarium\/ Eddie Irizarry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The comet\u2019s discovery<\/h3>\n

Heinrich Olbers discovered the comet that now bears his name on March 6, 1815, from Bremen, Germany. At that time, it was faintly visible to the unaided eye.<\/p>\n

The comet\u2019s last visit to the inner solar system was in 1956. And after passing by Earth in 2024, we won\u2019t see it again until March 2094. So take a good look at the charts, and try to spot it now.<\/p>\n

Bottom line: Comet 13P\/Olbers is making its closest approach to Earth on July 20, 2024. Want to see it for yourself? Check out the finder maps here.<\/p>\n

Read more: Observable comets in 2024, from Guy Ottewell<\/p>\n

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Eddie Irizarry<\/h4>\n

View Articles\n <\/p><\/div>\n

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About the Author:<\/h6>\n

Eddie Irizarry of the Sociedad de Astronom\u00eda del Caribe (Astronomical Society of the Caribbean) has been a NASA Solar System Ambassador since 2004. He loves public outreach and has published multiple astronomy articles for EarthSky, as well as for newspapers in Puerto Rico. He has also offered dozens of conferences related to asteroids and comets at the Arecibo Observatory.
\n Asteroid 33012EddieIrizarry, a 7.8 km space rock, has been named in his honor.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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