Explanation
of Comet Synopses and charts (read this if you have questions)
C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS): A
southern hemisphere evening comet visible in a 6-inch (15 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Eridanus at magnitude 10.4. Look
for a 2' coma. It should fade by about 0.8 magnitudes, moving into Lepus by
month's end. The best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern
hemisphere. FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
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 western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:00 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:00 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-15, 17-18 |
30o S |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~18:40 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~18:30 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~18:40 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~18:30 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~18:30 |
1- |
C/2021 T4 (Lemmon): A
southern hemisphere morning comet visible in a 6-inch (15 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Cetus at magnitude 13.2. Look for
a 1' coma. It should brighten by about 1.2 magnitudes by month's end. The best
visibility is late in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
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 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:50 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:40 |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:40 |
1- |
30o S |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~05:20 |
Fairly high at ~05:20 |
High at ~05:20 |
1- |
C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS): A
morning comet visible in a 10-inch (25 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Andromeda at magnitude 11.1. Look
for a 1.5' coma. It should fade slowly. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Low in the northern sky during
morning twilight at ~02:00 |
Low in the northern sky during
morning twilight at ~01:30 |
Low in the northern sky during
morning twilight at ~01:00 |
Low in the northern sky during
morning twilight at ~00:50 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~00:40 |
1- |
40o
N |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~03:30 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:20 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:00 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~02:50 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~02:50 |
1- |
Equator |
Very low in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:50 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~04:50 |
Low 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 |
1- |
30o S |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Low in the northern sky during
morning twilight at ~05:30 |
20- |
C/2020 K1 (PANSTARRS): A
southern hemisphere morning comet visible in a 10-inch (25 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Indus at magnitude 12.6. Look for
a 1.5' coma. It should brighten slowly, moving into Pavo by month's end. The
best visibility is mid-month as seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
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 at ~04:40 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:50 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
in moonlight at ~04:30 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~04:30 |
Low in the southern sky at
~04:30 |
1- |
30o S |
High at ~05:00 |
High during morning twilight at
~05:20 |
High in moonlight at ~04:50 |
High at ~05:00 |
High at ~04:50 |
1- |
237P/LINEAR: A morning
comet visible in a 10-inch (25 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Sagittarius at magnitude 13.1.
Look for a 1.5' coma. It should brighten slowly, moving into Aquila by month's
end. FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1- |
40o
N |
Fairly high in the southern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:20 |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~03:20 |
Fairly high at ~03:00 |
Fairly high at ~02:50 |
Fairly high at ~02:40 |
1- |
Equator |
High at ~04:30 |
High during morning twilight at
~04:50 |
High in moonlight at ~02:20 |
High at ~04:00 |
High at ~03:40 |
1- |
30o S |
High at ~04:50 |
High during morning twilight at
~05:20 |
High in moonlight at ~02:20 |
High at ~04:00 |
High at ~03:40 |
1- |
C/2019 L3 (ATLAS): An
evening comet visible in a 10-inch (25 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Pyxis at magnitude 12.6. Look for
a 50" coma. It should fade slowly. The best visibility is early in the
month as seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
40o
N |
Low in the southern sky during
evening twilight at ~20:20 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-13 |
Equator |
High in moonlight at ~19:10 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:10 |
High at ~19:20 |
High at ~19:20 |
High in moonlight at ~19:10 |
1- |
30o S |
High in moonlight at ~18:50 |
High during evening twilight at
~18:30 |
High at ~18:50 |
High at ~18:40 |
High in moonlight at ~18:40 |
1- |
C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS): An
evening comet visible in a 14-inch (36 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Leo at magnitude 12.6. Look for a
1.5' coma. It should fade slowly, moving into Sextans by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~22:00 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~22:20 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~22:40 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-19 |
40o
N |
High in moonlight at ~20:40 |
High during evening twilight at
~20:40 |
High at ~21:00 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~21:00 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~21:00 |
1- |
Equator |
Fairly high in the western sky
in moonlight at ~01:00 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:10 |
High at ~19:30 |
High at ~19:20 |
High in moonlight at ~19:20 |
1- |
30o S |
Fairly high in the western sky
at ~00:50 |
High during evening twilight at
~18:30 |
High at ~19:20 |
High at ~18:50 |
High in moonlight at ~18:40 |
1- |
C/2022 E3 (ZTF): A
southern hemisphere evening comet visible in an 18-inch (46 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Lepus at magnitude 12.1. Look for
a 1.5' coma. It should fade by about 1.1 magnitudes by month's end. The best
visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
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 western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:00 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-17 |
30o S |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~18:50 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~18:40 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~18:40 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~18:30 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~18:30 |
1- |
364P/PANSTARRS: A southern
hemisphere morning comet visible in an 18-inch (46 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Aquarius at magnitude 13.2. Look
for a 45" coma. It should fade rapidly, moving into Cetus by month's end.
The best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.
FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
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 ~04:50 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:50 |
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 |
1- |
30o S |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~05:10 |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~05:20 |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~05:20 |
Fairly high at ~05:20 |
Fairly high at ~05:20 |
1- |
C/2023 E1 (ATLAS): A
northern hemisphere evening comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Ursa Major at magnitude 13.7.
Look for a 2.5' coma. It should brighten by about 0.9 magnitudes, moving into
Draco by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
High during morning twilight at
~02:00 |
High during evening twilight at
~22:20 |
High during evening twilight at
~23:40 |
High during evening twilight at
~23:50 |
High during evening twilight at
~00:00 |
1- |
40o
N |
High at ~02:30 |
High during evening twilight at
~20:40 |
High at ~21:20 |
High at ~21:20 |
High at ~00:50 |
1- |
Equator |
Fairly high in the northern sky
at ~01:20 |
Fairly high in the northern sky
during evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Fairly high in the northern sky
at ~20:50 |
Fairly high in the northern sky
at ~20:20 |
Fairly high in the northern sky
in moonlight at ~20:00 |
5- |
30o S |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
71P/Clark: A southern
hemisphere morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Aquarius at magnitude 13.2. Look
for a 1.5' coma. It should fade slowly, moving into Cetus by month's end. The
best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.
FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
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 during morning
twilight at ~04:50 |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:40 |
Fairly high at ~04:40 |
Fairly high at ~04:40 |
1- |
30o S |
Fairly high at ~05:10 |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~05:20 |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~05:10 |
High at ~05:10 |
High at ~05:20 |
1- |
C/2019 T4 (ATLAS): An
evening comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Serpens Caput at magnitude 13.3.
Look for a 1.5' coma. It should fade slowly. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
High during morning twilight at
~02:00 |
High during evening twilight at
~22:20 |
High during evening twilight at
~00:00 |
High during evening twilight at
~23:50 |
High during morning twilight at
~00:00 |
1- |
40o
N |
High at ~02:30 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~20:40 |
High at ~00:00 |
High at ~23:30 |
High at ~00:50 |
1- |
Equator |
High at ~01:50 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
in moonlight at ~20:10 |
High at ~00:00 |
High at ~23:30 |
High at ~00:20 |
1- |
30o S |
High at ~01:10 |
High in moonlight at ~00:40 |
High at ~00:00 |
Fairly high at ~23:30 |
Fairly high at ~23:40 |
1-4, 6- |
C/2022 P1 (NEOWISE): A
southern hemisphere morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Norma at magnitude 13.7. Look for
a 5.5' coma. It should fade by about 1.2 magnitudes, moving into Centaurus by
month's end. The best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern
hemisphere. FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
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 ~01:50 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-2, 10-12 |
30o S |
High at ~01:40 |
Not visible |
High at ~23:40 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-3, 9-18 |
C/2021 Y1 (ATLAS): A
southern hemisphere evening comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Eridanus at magnitude 13.9. Look
for a 1' coma. It should remain constant, moving into Columba by month's end.
The best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.
FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
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 western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:00 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:00 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-9 |
30o S |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~18:40 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~18:30 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~18:40 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~18:30 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~18:30 |
1- |
29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann:
An evening comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Gemini at magnitude 14.0. Look
for a 1' coma. It should fade slowly. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
40o
N |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~20:30 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~20:40 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~20:50 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
6-18 |
Equator |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~19:10 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:10 |
Fairly high in the western sky
at ~19:10 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Not visible |
6-26 |
30o S |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
7-12 |
C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS): A
southern hemisphere evening comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Lepus at magnitude 14.4. Look for
a 45" coma. It should brighten slowly, moving into Canis Major by month's
end. The best visibility is mid-month as seen from the southern hemisphere.
FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
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 western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:00 |
1-27 |
30o S |
High during evening twilight at
~18:50 |
High during evening twilight at
~18:30 |
Fairly high at ~18:40 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~18:30 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~18:30 |
1- |
77P/Longmore: An evening
comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Centaurus at magnitude 14.5. Look
for a 50" coma. It should fade slowly. The best visibility is mid-month as
seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
40o
N |
Low in the southern sky in
moonlight at ~23:40 |
Low in the southern sky at
~21:10 |
Low in the southern sky at
~22:10 |
Low in the southern sky at
~21:40 |
Low in the southern sky in
moonlight at ~21:20 |
1-2, 6-29 |
Equator |
High at ~01:40 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during evening twilight at ~19:10 |
High at ~22:10 |
High at ~21:40 |
Fairly high at ~00:00 |
1-3, 5-30 |
30o S |
High at ~01:10 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~18:30 |
High at ~22:10 |
High at ~21:40 |
High at ~23:40 |
1-3, 5-30 |
81P/Wild: A morning comet
visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Sagittarius at magnitude 14.6.
Look for a 1.5' coma. It should fade by about 1.4 magnitudes, moving into
Ophiuchus by month's end. The best visibility is early in the month as seen from
the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility April 29 |
Visibility May 6 |
Visibility May 13 |
Visibility May 20 |
Visibility May 27 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
40o
N |
Fairly high at ~03:10 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-2 |
Equator |
High at ~03:20 |
Not visible |
High at ~01:50 |
High at ~01:50 |
Not visible |
1-3, 11-20 |
30o S |
High at ~03:20 |
Not visible |
High at ~01:30 |
High at ~01:50 |
Not visible |
1-3, 11-20 |