Comet Tracker: Live Position Data
Real-time tracking tool for visible comets. Find current positions, brightness estimates, and optimal viewing times for all observable comets in the night sky.
Priority Target: 3I/ATLAS (Interstellar Comet)
Status: Excellent observing target through mid-November
3I/ATLAS: 6-Week Forecast
Track the interstellar comet's journey through our solar system with daily position updates, magnitude forecasts, and optimal viewing windows.
Magnitude Trend Over Time
6-Week Observing Timeline
Oct 31
Mag 8.0Brightening rapidly. Excellent target with 6-inch telescope.
Nov 3
Mag 7.9Near peak brightness. Visible in quality 15x70 binoculars from dark sites.
Nov 6
Mag 7.8Peak brightness! New moon period - darkest skies. Best week for observation.
Nov 9
Mag 7.8NEW MOON - optimal dark sky conditions. Tail may be visible in larger scopes.
Nov 12
Mag 7.9Still at peak brightness. Excellent target for all equipment levels.
Nov 15
Mag 8.1Slight fade beginning. Passes near 4th magnitude star - good reference point.
Nov 18
Mag 8.3Continuing to fade. Still easily visible in 6-8 inch telescopes.
Nov 21
Mag 8.5Entering Libra constellation. Requires dark skies for best visibility.
Nov 24
Mag 8.78-inch telescope recommended. Coma still visible from suburban sites.
Nov 27
Mag 9.0Crossing magnitude 9. Dark sky site recommended (Bortle 4 or better).
Nov 30
Mag 9.2Becoming challenging. 8-10 inch telescope and dark skies essential.
Dec 3
Mag 9.5Requires 10-inch+ telescope. For experienced observers only.
Dec 6
Mag 9.7Very faint. Large aperture (12-inch+) needed. Dark sky preserve recommended.
Dec 9
Mag 10.0Approaching magnitude 10. Challenge object for advanced amateurs.
Dec 12
Mag 10.3NEW MOON period provides dark skies, but comet is very faint. 14-inch+ recommended.
Legend
Detailed Position Data
Precise coordinates and visibility information for planning your observations. Use this data with planetarium software or GoTo telescopes.
| Date | RA | Dec | Magnitude | Phase | Visibility Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2025 | 13h 40m | -8.0° | 8.0 | ⭐Approaching Peak | 4:30 AM - 6:00 AM | Brightening rapidly. Excellent target with 6-inch telescope. |
| Nov 3, 2025 | 13h 45m | -8.5° | 7.9 | ⭐Pre-Peak | 4:30 AM - 6:00 AM | Near peak brightness. Visible in quality 15x70 binoculars from dark sites. |
| Nov 6, 2025 | 13h 50m | -9.0° | 7.8 | ⭐Peak Brightness | 4:30 AM - 6:00 AM | Peak brightness! New moon period - darkest skies. Best week for observation. |
| Nov 9, 2025 | 13h 55m | -9.5° | 7.8 | ⭐Peak | 4:30 AM - 6:00 AM | NEW MOON - optimal dark sky conditions. Tail may be visible in larger scopes. |
| Nov 12, 2025 | 14h 00m | -10.0° | 7.9 | ⭐Peak | 4:30 AM - 6:00 AM | Still at peak brightness. Excellent target for all equipment levels. |
| Nov 15, 2025 | 14h 05m | -10.6° | 8.1 | ⭐Post-Peak | 4:30 AM - 6:00 AM | Slight fade beginning. Passes near 4th magnitude star - good reference point. |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 14h 10m | -11.2° | 8.3 | 📉Fading | 4:30 AM - 6:00 AM | Continuing to fade. Still easily visible in 6-8 inch telescopes. |
| Nov 21, 2025 | 14h 16m | -11.8° | 8.5 | 📉Fading | 4:30 AM - 5:45 AM | Entering Libra constellation. Requires dark skies for best visibility. |
| Nov 24, 2025 | 14h 22m | -12.5° | 8.7 | 📉Fading | 4:30 AM - 5:45 AM | 8-inch telescope recommended. Coma still visible from suburban sites. |
| Nov 27, 2025 | 14h 28m | -13.2° | 9.0 | 📉Fading | 4:30 AM - 5:45 AM | Crossing magnitude 9. Dark sky site recommended (Bortle 4 or better). |
| Nov 30, 2025 | 14h 34m | -13.9° | 9.2 | 📉Fading | 4:30 AM - 5:30 AM | Becoming challenging. 8-10 inch telescope and dark skies essential. |
| Dec 3, 2025 | 14h 41m | -14.6° | 9.5 | 📉Fading Rapidly | 4:30 AM - 5:30 AM | Requires 10-inch+ telescope. For experienced observers only. |
| Dec 6, 2025 | 14h 48m | -15.4° | 9.7 | 🔭Faint | 4:30 AM - 5:30 AM | Very faint. Large aperture (12-inch+) needed. Dark sky preserve recommended. |
| Dec 9, 2025 | 14h 55m | -16.1° | 10.0 | 🔭Faint | 4:30 AM - 5:30 AM | Approaching magnitude 10. Challenge object for advanced amateurs. |
| Dec 12, 2025 | 15h 02m | -16.9° | 10.3 | 🔭Very Faint | 4:30 AM - 5:15 AM | NEW MOON period provides dark skies, but comet is very faint. 14-inch+ recommended. |
How to Use This Tracker
📍 Finding Coordinates
- 1. Check table above for comet's current RA/Dec
- 2. Enter coordinates into SkySafari, Stellarium, or similar app
- 3. Point telescope using setting circles or GoTo system
- 4. Verify with stars in field of view
🔭 Understanding Magnitude
- • Mag 6-7: Possibly naked eye from dark sites
- • Mag 7-9: Binoculars or small telescope
- • Mag 9-11: 6-8 inch telescope needed
- • Mag 11+: Large telescope (10"+) required
Note: Comets appear diffuse, so they seem fainter than stars of the same magnitude.
Other Observable Comets
C/2023 T4 (Lemmon)
12P/Pons-Brooks
Comet Events Calendar
November 2025
| Date | Event | Comet | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5-12 | Peak Visibility | 3I/ATLAS | New moon period, magnitude ~7.8 |
| Nov 15 | Close Approach to Star | 3I/ATLAS | Passes near 4th magnitude star in Virgo |
| Nov 22 | Conjunction | C/2023 T4 | Passes near M31 Andromeda Galaxy |
December 2025
| Date | Event | Comet | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1-7 | Last Easy Viewing | 3I/ATLAS | Fading below mag 9.0 |
| Dec 14 | New Moon | All Comets | Optimal dark skies for faint comets |
Equipment Recommendations
For 3I/ATLAS (Mag 7-9)
- 10x50 binoculars (very dark site)
- 6" (150mm) telescope
- 15x70 binoculars
- 8" (200mm) Dobsonian
For Fainter Targets (Mag 9-11)
- 8" (200mm) telescope
- Dark sky site (Bortle 4)
- 10-12" Dobsonian
- Light pollution filter
Accessories
- • Wide-field eyepieces (25-40mm)
- • UHC or OIII filter
- • Red LED flashlight
- • Star chart or planetarium app
- • Observing notebook
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