Comet 13P/Olbers will be closest to Earth today

Comet 13P/Olbers approaches Earth

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 – or closest approach to the sun – on June 30. Comet 13P/Olbers is closest to Earth today, July 20. It’s currently in Leo Minor in the northwestern sky and moving quickly.

During closest approach, the comet will pass 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 “Halley-type,” comet.

Observing Comet 13P/Olbers

Now is the best time to observe (with binoculars or a small telescope) and photograph Comet 13P/Olbers. Comet 13P/Olbers has a brightness of around magnitude 6.9, which means it’s not visible to the unaided eye. But it should be observable with binoculars.

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.

During closest approach today, 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 “Go To” telescope.

Finder maps

The comet’s discovery

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.

The comet’s last visit to the inner solar system was in 1956. And after passing by Earth in 2024, we won’t see it again until March 2094. So take a good look at the charts, and try to spot it now.

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

Read more: Observable comets in 2024, from Guy Ottewell