Comet Chasing in November

Comet chasing is the visual observation of telescopic comets.  Jump to:  Observing synopses    Summary data


News

There are two comets visible in small telescopes, and three comets visible in a 6-inch (15cm)  telescope this month. Many more are visible in larger instruments. See the Observing Synopses for which comets are visible from your latitude, the best dates and the time of night.

  • Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks has had a major outburst on November 13, and is now reported to be magnitude 9. The predictions below have been updated as of November 15. After the outburst on October 4, a small bright inner coma appeared and then began to expand, revealing a set of horns, the same as seen in the July outburst. We have updated the visibility predictions to reflect the new outburst, and it should now be visible in small telescopes.This well-documented comet, perhaps observed as early as the year 245, also experienced a large unexpected outburst in late July, catapulting from a magnitude of 16.6 to 11.6 in a single day. Afterward it displayed an unusual coma shape, characterized by a distinctive 'notch' and a pair of 'horns' that persisted for weeks. Integrated magnitude estimates remain steady, although a smaller outburst of ~1 mag occurred between 2023 Sep 22.34 and 25.14, as reported by Mike Kelley. As it continues its journey towards perihelion on April 21, 2024, this Halley-like comet will be worth keeping an eye on. Here is a link to a video with an animation of the outburst aftermath 

  • C/2023 H2 (Lemmon) passed perihelion on October 29, when it also pass within 0.2 AU of the earth. It is predicted to reach maximum brightness of magnitude 7 in mid November.

  • Comets 29P and 62P will pas very close to one another on the night of November 15/16, which will make for an unusual view in the eyepiece, and an excellent imaging opportunity.

  • 62P/Tsuchinshan will next reach perihelion in late December. In late January 2024, this comet will pass within 0.5 AU of the earth. It is currently predicted to reach maximum brightness of magnitude 9.5 in early January.

  • C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS) will reach perihelion in mid February 2024. It is predicted to obtain a maximum brightness of magnitude 9.5 in early March. 

  • 2023 S2 (ATLAS) is a new comet discovery by the ATLAS survey on September 28.  This comet passed perihelion in mid October. 

  • 2P/Encke is passed perihelion on October 22, peaking at a brightness of magnitude 3.7 by late October. With a 3.3-year orbit, Encke boasts the shortest orbital period of any known comet in our solar system. The first half of October was our last good chance to say hello to this old friend this time around. 

  • 103P/Hartley passed perihelion in mid October. On October 12 this comet passed within 0.4 AU of the earth. 

  • C/2020 V2 (ZTF) passed perihelion in early May 2023. It is predicted to reach maximum brightness of magnitude 10 in early September.

  • C/2023 P1 (Nishimura) was discovered by H. Nishimura in images taken on Aug. 11 UT, at Gomyo, Kakegawa, Japan with a digital camera.This comet put on a pre-dawn show in September, especially in images, but has passed into a part of the sky that makes it very difficult to observe, very low on the horizon. Interested in how this new comet discovery was followed up? See our new comet follow up video  

  • C/2021 T4 (Lemmon) passed perihelion in late July, when it also passed within 0.6 AU of the earth.

  • C/2023 E1 (ATLAS) was discovered by the ATLAS survey on March 1. This comet passed perihelion, or closest point to the sun, in early July. It also approached relatively close to earth, at a distance of 0.4 Astronomical Units (AU), on July 1, at magnitude 10. 

  • C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is a discovery made independently by Purple Mountain Observatory (China) and the ATLAS survey (South Africa) that has the potential to be a bright naked eye comet. It will reach perihelion on September 28, 2024, when it will be within 0.5 AU of the earth and 0.4 AU from the sun.. It is predicted to reach maximum brightness in early October 2024. On October 12, 2024 this comet will be moving quickly across the sky at a peak rate of 14 "/min.

  • C/2020 K1 (PANSTARRS) passed perihelion in early May.

  • 237P/LINEAR passed perihelion in mid May and reached maximum brightness in early July.

  • C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) passed perihelion in mid December 2022 and is fading.

  • C/2021 T4 (ATLAS) C/2019 T4 (ATLAS) is past perihelion, which occurred in early June 2022, and is fading.

  • 96P/Machholz is a sun grazing comet with an orbital period of 5.3 years. It passed close to the sun on January 30, when it was best observed via solar monitoring satellites such as SOHO. 

  • C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS) passed perihelion in mid February.  

  • C/2019 L3 (ATLAS) is well past perihelion, which occurred in early January 2022. 

  • 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann has frequent outbursts, typically resulting in a brightening of 0.5 - 1.0 magnitudes, which occur roughly every 59 days, typically taking 5-10 days to subside. Up to three subsequent outbursts may occur 5-10 days afterward, each typically smaller than the last, although on some occasions they can be even brighter than the first. These outbursts make 29P one of the most interesting comets to follow, both visually and scientifically. 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann has a 14.8-year orbital period, and last passed perihelion in early March 2019. It varies in its distance from the Sun from 5.8 AU (at perihelion) to 6.3 AU (at aphelion), which is an unusually small variation for a comet, and remains quite far from the sun at all times. This means that it can be observed more or less continuously.

  • C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein) is an interesting Oort cloud comet that was reported as a result of the Dark Energy Survey. Soon after it was made public, images showed a cometary coma. Discovery credit goes to Pedro Bernardinelli and Gary Bernstein. This is a remarkable comet that was at 29 AU in 2014, with a perihelion of 10.9 AU in 2031. Its orbit extends out to 40,000 AU! It was unusually bright for its distance. Recent HST obsrvations that isolate the nucleus estimate the diamter to be between 120 and 140 km, making this possibly the largest comet nucleus yet measured. Because of its distant perihelion, this comet is not expected to become bright enough to be visually observed except in large instruments, and not until the end of the decade, but it is likely going to be the subject of intense scientific scrutiny. 

Comets that have apparently disentegrated: CC/2022 S3 (PANSTARRS), C/2021 P4 (ATLAS), C/2020 Q1 (Borisov), C/2020 P1 (NEOWISE), and C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS). Beware that various other sources often fail to keep track of whether or not a comet still exists!

Comet Visibility in the Eyepiece

This page uses code developed for SkyTools to predict the visibility of a comet in the eyepiece.  Predicting how much aperture is required to see a comet is a very complex task.  Have a look for yourself: a comparison of the predictions below (such as "visible in small telescopes") to the magnitude of each comet shows just how poor an indicator the magnitude alone really is. When you read below that a particular aperture is required to see a comet you can have a reasonable degree of confidence that the comet can in fact be seen in the eyepiece. But always remember, comets are like cats. They both have tails and do what they want, and not always what we expect. This is one of the things that makes comet chasing interesting!

Observing Synopses for November

Explanation of Comet Synopses and charts (read this if you have questions)

C/2023 H2 (Lemmon): An evening comet visible in small telescopes
This comet begins the month in Ursa Major at magnitude 8.6. Look for a 14.5' coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It should fade rapidly, moving into Grus by month's end.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Fairly high during evening twilight at ~18:10 Fairly high during evening twilight at ~18:00 Low in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~17:20 Not visible Not visible 1-19
40o N Fairly high during evening twilight at ~18:20 High during evening twilight at ~18:10 Fairly high in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~18:00 Low in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~17:50 Not visible 1-
Equator Not visible High during evening twilight at ~18:50 High during evening twilight at ~19:00 High during evening twilight at ~19:00 High during evening twilight at ~19:10 6-
30o S Not visible Low in the western sky during evening twilight at ~19:40 High during evening twilight at ~20:00 High during evening twilight at ~20:00 High during evening twilight at ~20:20 10-

12P/Pons-Brooks: A northern hemisphere evening comet visible in small telescopes
This comet is in Hercules at magnitude 9.4. Look for a 2' coma, diffuse condensation at center. Further outbursts are possible. Otherwise it will nominally brighten by about 0.8 magnitudes, moving into Lyra by month's end.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N High during evening twilight at ~18:10 High during evening twilight at ~18:00 High during evening twilight at ~17:50 High during evening twilight at ~17:40 High during evening twilight at ~17:40 1-
40o N High during evening twilight at ~18:20 High during evening twilight at ~18:10 High during evening twilight at ~18:10 High during evening twilight at ~18:00 High during evening twilight at ~18:00 1-
Equator Fairly high in the northern sky during evening twilight at ~18:50 Fairly high in the western sky during evening twilight at ~18:50 Low in the western sky during evening twilight at ~18:50 Low in the western sky during evening twilight at ~18:40 Low in the western sky during evening twilight at ~18:50 1-
30o S Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  

103P/Hartley: A morning comet visible in a 6-inch (15 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Hydra at magnitude 9.8. Look for a 3' coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It should fade rapidly.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Fairly high during morning twilight at ~05:10 Fairly high at ~05:10 Fairly high at ~05:10 Fairly high in the southern sky at ~05:40 Fairly high in the southern sky in moonlight at ~04:20 1-
40o N High during morning twilight at ~05:00 High at ~05:00 High at ~05:00 High during morning twilight at ~05:30 High in moonlight at ~04:20 1-
Equator High during morning twilight at ~04:30 High during morning twilight at ~04:30 High at ~04:30 High during morning twilight at ~04:30 High in moonlight at ~04:20 1-
30o S High during morning twilight at ~03:40 High during morning twilight at ~03:40 High during morning twilight at ~03:30 High during morning twilight at ~03:30 High in moonlight at ~03:00 1-

62P/Tsuchinshan: A morning comet visible in a 6-inch (15 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Gemini at magnitude 11.7. Look for a 2.5' coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It should brighten rapidly, moving into Leo by month's end.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N High in moonlight at ~05:00 High at ~05:00 High at ~05:10 High during morning twilight at ~06:00 High in moonlight at ~05:40 1-
40o N High in moonlight at ~05:00 High at ~05:00 High at ~05:10 High during morning twilight at ~05:30 High in moonlight at ~05:30 1-
Equator High in moonlight at ~04:30 High at ~04:30 High at ~04:30 High during morning twilight at ~04:30 High during morning twilight at ~04:30 1-
30o S Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:40 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:40 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:30 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:30 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:30 1-

C/2023 P1 (Nishimura): A southern hemisphere morning comet visible in a 6-inch (15 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Centaurus at magnitude 10.5. Look for a 2.5' coma, virtually invisible. It should fade rapidly. The best visibility is mid-month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
Equator Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:50 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:40 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:40 Fairly high in the southern sky during morning twilight at ~04:40 Fairly high in the southern sky during morning twilight at ~04:40 1-
30o S Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:00 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~03:50 Fairly high in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~03:40 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:40 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:30 1-

C/2020 V2 (ZTF): An evening comet visible in an 8-inch (20 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Phoenix at magnitude 11.0. Look for a 2.5' coma, diffuse condensation at center. It should fade by about 0.8 magnitudes, moving into Grus by month's end. The best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible 1-10
Equator High at ~21:10 High at ~20:30 High in moonlight at ~19:50 High during evening twilight at ~19:00 High during evening twilight at ~19:00 1-
30o S High at ~21:10 High at ~20:30 High in moonlight at ~20:10 High during evening twilight at ~20:00 High during evening twilight at ~20:20 1-

C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS): A southern hemisphere morning comet visible in a 10-inch (25 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Centaurus at magnitude 11.9. Look for a 1' coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It should brighten by about 0.6 magnitudes by month's end. The best visibility is late in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
Equator Fairly high in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:40 Fairly high in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:40 Fairly high in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:40 Fairly high in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:40 Fairly high in the southern sky during morning twilight at ~04:40 1-
30o S Fairly high in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~03:50 Fairly high in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~03:40 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:30 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:30 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:30 1-

29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann: A morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Cancer at magnitude 12.5. Look for a 2.5' coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It should brighten slowly.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N High during morning twilight at ~05:10 High at ~05:10 High at ~04:50 High during morning twilight at ~06:00 High in moonlight at ~05:40 1-
40o N High during morning twilight at ~05:00 High at ~05:00 High at ~04:50 High during morning twilight at ~05:30 High in moonlight at ~05:30 1-
Equator High in moonlight at ~04:30 High during morning twilight at ~04:30 High at ~04:30 High during morning twilight at ~04:30 High in moonlight at ~04:30 1-
30o S Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:40 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:40 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:30 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:30 Fairly high in moonlight at ~03:20 1-

C/2023 S2 (ATLAS): An evening comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Serpens Cauda at magnitude 12.5. Look for a 1.5' , diffuse coma with definite brightening toward center. It should fade by about 0.9 magnitudes, moving into Aquarius by month's end.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Fairly high in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~18:10 Fairly high in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~18:00 Fairly high in the southern sky during evening twilight at ~17:50 Fairly high during evening twilight at ~17:40 Fairly high during evening twilight at ~17:30 1-
40o N Fairly high during evening twilight at ~18:20 Fairly high during evening twilight at ~18:10 Fairly high during evening twilight at ~18:10 High during evening twilight at ~18:00 High during evening twilight at ~18:10 1-
Equator High during evening twilight at ~18:50 High during evening twilight at ~18:50 High during evening twilight at ~19:00 High during evening twilight at ~19:00 High during evening twilight at ~19:00 1-
30o S Fairly high in the western sky during evening twilight at ~19:40 Fairly high in the western sky during evening twilight at ~19:50 Fairly high in the western sky during evening twilight at ~19:50 Not visible Fairly high in the western sky during evening twilight at ~20:10 1-23, 27-

C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS): A morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Monoceros at magnitude 13.1. Look for a 1.5' coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It should fade slowly.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Fairly high in the southern sky in moonlight at ~03:40 Fairly high in the southern sky at ~03:10 Fairly high in the southern sky at ~02:30 Fairly high in the southern sky in moonlight at ~02:30 Fairly high in the southern sky in moonlight at ~01:20 1-
40o N High in moonlight at ~03:40 High at ~03:10 High at ~02:30 Fairly high in the western sky in moonlight at ~04:40 High in moonlight at ~01:00 1-
Equator High in moonlight at ~03:10 High at ~03:10 High at ~02:30 High at ~04:30 High at ~22:50 1-
30o S High in moonlight at ~01:50 High at ~03:10 High at ~02:30 High during morning twilight at ~03:30 High at ~23:40 1-

C/2023 E1 (ATLAS): A southern hemisphere evening comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Piscis Austrinus at magnitude 14.0. Look for a 1.5' coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It should fade by about 1.4 magnitudes, moving into Aquarius by month's end. The best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
Equator High at ~20:00 High at ~19:40 High in moonlight at ~19:20 Not visible Not visible 1-18
30o S High at ~20:00 High during evening twilight at ~19:50 High in moonlight at ~20:10 Not visible Not visible 1-18

C/2019 L3 (ATLAS): A southern hemisphere morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Centaurus at magnitude 14.0. Look for a 50" coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It should fade slowly. The best visibility is late in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
Equator Fairly high in the southern sky during morning twilight at ~04:40 Fairly high in the southern sky during morning twilight at ~04:40 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~04:30 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~04:40 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~04:40 1-
30o S Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:40 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:40 High during morning twilight at ~03:30 High during morning twilight at ~03:30 High during morning twilight at ~03:20 1-

C/2020 K1 (PANSTARRS): A southern hemisphere morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Chamaeleon at magnitude 14.2. Look for a 40" coma, diffuse condensation at center. It should fade slowly, moving into Octans by month's end. The best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
Equator Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
30o S Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:40 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:30 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:20 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:30 Fairly high in the southern sky at ~23:50 1-

C/2022 E2 (ATLAS): A morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Sextans at magnitude 14.7. Look for a 50" coma, diffuse condensation at center. It should brighten slowly, moving into Leo by month's end.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Fairly high during morning twilight at ~05:10 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~05:20 High during morning twilight at ~05:40 High during morning twilight at ~05:50 High in moonlight at ~05:10 1-
40o N High during morning twilight at ~05:10 High during morning twilight at ~05:10 High at ~05:10 High during morning twilight at ~05:30 High in moonlight at ~05:20 1-
Equator High during morning twilight at ~04:30 High during morning twilight at ~04:30 High during morning twilight at ~04:30 High during morning twilight at ~04:30 High in moonlight at ~04:30 1-
30o S Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:50 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:40 High during morning twilight at ~03:30 High during morning twilight at ~03:30 High during morning twilight at ~03:20 1-

C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS): A southern hemisphere evening comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Aquarius at magnitude 14.5. Look for a 1.5' coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It should fade by about 1.1 magnitudes by month's end.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
Equator High at ~19:40 High at ~19:10 Not visible Not visible Not visible 1-13
30o S High during evening twilight at ~19:40 Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible 1-10

C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS): A southern hemisphere morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Hydra at magnitude 14.5. Look for a 55" coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It should fade slowly, moving into Antlia by month's end. The best visibility is late in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
Equator Fairly high during morning twilight at ~04:30 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~04:30 High during morning twilight at ~04:30 High during morning twilight at ~04:30 High during morning twilight at ~04:30 2-25
30o S Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:40 High during morning twilight at ~03:40 High during morning twilight at ~03:30 High during morning twilight at ~03:30 High during morning twilight at ~03:20 3-26

C/2019 T4 (ATLAS): A far-northern evening comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Hercules at magnitude 14.7. Look for a 50" coma, diffuse condensation at center. It should fade slowly.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Fairly high in the western sky during evening twilight at ~18:10 Fairly high in the western sky during evening twilight at ~17:50 Not visible Not visible Not visible 1-9, 11-11
40o N Fairly high in the western sky during evening twilight at ~18:10 Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible 1-5
Equator Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
30o S Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  

C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS): A far-northern morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Virgo at magnitude 15.3. Look for a 25" coma, virtually invisible. It should brighten by about 0.5 magnitudes by month's end.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~06:20 26-
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~05:40 Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~05:50 24-25, 28-
Equator Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Low in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:50  
30o S Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  

C/2021 G2 (Atlas): A southern hemisphere morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Hydra at magnitude 15.0. Look for a 1' coma. It should brighten slowly. The best visibility is late in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
Equator Not visible Fairly high in the eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:40 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~04:30 Fairly high during morning twilight at ~04:40 High during morning twilight at ~04:40 11-25
30o S Not visible Not visible Fairly high during morning twilight at ~03:30 High during morning twilight at ~03:30 High during morning twilight at ~03:20 14-26, 29-

C/2022 JK5 (PANSTARRS): An evening comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Aquarius at magnitude 14.9. Look for a 45" coma, diffuse condensation at center. It should fade by about 0.6 magnitudes by month's end. The best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.  FINDER CHART
Latitude Visibility November 4 Visibility November 11 Visibility November 18 Visibility November 25 Visibility December 2 Nights Visible
55o N Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible  
40o N Fairly high in the southern sky at ~20:40 Fairly high in the southern sky at ~20:10 Fairly high in the southern sky in moonlight at ~19:50 Not visible Not visible 1-18
Equator High at ~20:40 High at ~20:10 High in moonlight at ~19:50 Not visible High during evening twilight at ~19:00 1-20, 27-
30o S High at ~20:40 High at ~20:10 High in moonlight at ~20:10 Not visible High during evening twilight at ~20:20

Summary Data for This Month's Telescopic Comets

Comets brighter than 16th magnitude.  This table is updated as necessary. The last column indicates the date of the last observation used to compute these values.  The constellation listed is where the comet was on the first of the month.
Comet Constellation

November 1st

November 15th

November 30th

 Observations as of (UT)
Mag Diam Mag Diam Mag Diam
2P/Encke Virgo 8.1 2.0' 10.4 1.7' 12.2 1.5' 2023 October 1
C/2023 H2 (Lemmon) Ursa Major 8.6 6.7' 7.7 11.4' 10.5 3.9' 2023 October 30
12P/Pons-Brooks Hercules 11.0 2.3' 9.0 2.1' 8.5? 3'? 2023 November 15
103P/Hartley Hydra 9.8 2.9' 10.5 2.7' 11.3 2.4' 2023 October 27
C/2023 P1 (Nishimura) Centaurus 10.5 2.7' 11.4 2.5' 12.1 2.4' 2023 October 26
12P/Pons-Brooks Hercules 11.0 2.3' 10.6 2.4' 10.2 2.5' 2023 October 24
C/2020 V2 (ZTF) Phoenix 11.0 2.7' 11.4 2.4' 11.9 2.1' 2023 October 29
62P/Tsuchinshan Gemini 11.7 2.0' 10.9 2.3' 10.2 2.6' 2023 October 26
C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS) Centaurus 11.9 59" 11.6 1.0' 11.2 1.1' 2023 October 21
29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann Cancer 12.5 2.6' 12.4 2.7' 12.3 2.8' 2023 October 25
C/2023 S2 (ATLAS) Serpens Cauda 12.5 1.6' 12.8 1.6' 13.4 1.5' 2023 October 29
C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) Monoceros 13.1 1.5' 13.2 1.5' 13.4 1.5' 2023 October 26
C/2021 T4 (Lemmon) Libra 13.3 1.3' 13.7 1.3' 14.0 1.3' 2023 October 3
C/2023 E1 (ATLAS) Pisces Austrinus 14.0 1.4' 14.8 1.1' 15.5 57" 2023 October 17
C/2020 K1 (PANSTARRS) Chamaeleon 14.2 40" 14.3 40" 14.4 39" 2023 October 19
C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS) Aquarius 14.5 1.4' 15.1 1.3' 15.6 1.1' 2023 October 20
C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS) Hydra 14.5 54" 14.6 56" 14.7 57" 2023 October 16
C/2022 E2 (ATLAS) Sextans 14.7 43" 14.4 46" 14.2 50" 2023 October 23
C/2019 T4 (ATLAS) Hercules 14.7 48" 14.8 48" 14.9 47" 2023 October 15
C/2022 JK5 (PANSTARRS) Aquarius 14.9 48" 15.2 44" 15.5 40" 2023 September 18
C/2021 X1 (Maury-Attard) Pisces 15.0 59" 15.3 53" 15.5 48" 2023 October 23
C/2022 E3 (ZTF) Pictor 15.0 2.2' 15.2 2.1' 15.4 2.0' 2023 September 15
C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) Virgo 15.3 21" 15.1 22" 14.8 23" 2023 September 10
C/2022 L2 (ATLAS) Libra 15.9 35" 15.8 35" 15.7 36" 2023 September 8
P/2010 YK3 Aquarius 15.9 1.0' 16.0 58" 16.2 54" 2023 September 14
126P/IRAS Cepheus 16.0 1.1' 16.5 1.0' 17.0 56" 2023 October 23
237P/LINEAR Aquila 16.0 25" 16.5 23" 17.0 21" 2023 October 20
32P/Comas Sola Aries 16.0 45" 15.7 47" 15.5 48" 2023 September 20
*In solar conjunction and generally not visible 

For information about specific comets see Gary W. Kronk's Cometography 

Further reading: see Comet Chasing, Sky & Telescope, April 2005, pg. 83.

Make your own visual observing custom charts for your location and telescope/binoculars: Software for visual comet observing 

Select comets that are appropriate for your imaging system, and plan when they are best imaged: Software for comet imaging 
 

Links

Skyhound's Guide to Comets
Skyhound's Guide to Finding Comets
BAA Comet Section
Weekly Information About Bright Comets
Cometography