Explanation
of Comet Synopses and charts (read this if you have questions)
2P/Encke: A morning comet
visible in binoculars
This comet begins the month in Auriga at magnitude 11.4. Look
for a 3' coma. It should brighten rapidly, moving into Leo by month's end.
FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~03:10 |
Fairly high at ~03:30 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:50 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:20 |
1- |
40o
N |
Not visible |
High in moonlight at ~04:00 |
Fairly high at ~04:10 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:20 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:40 |
1- |
Equator |
Not visible |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~04:40 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~04:40 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:40 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~04:50 |
1- |
30o S |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-29 |
C/2023 P1 (Nishimura): A
morning comet visible in binoculars
This comet begins the month in Cancer at magnitude 6.6. Look for
a 5.5' coma. FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~03:30 |
Very low in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:50 |
Very low in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:00 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-18 |
40o
N |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~04:20 |
Very low in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:30 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-11, 13-20 |
Equator |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~05:00 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-8, 16-23, 25-25 |
30o S |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-2, 19-28 |
C/2020 V2 (ZTF): A morning
comet visible in small telescopes
This comet begins the month in Cetus at magnitude 9.9. Look for
a 4.5' coma. It should fade slowly, moving into Sculptor by month's end. The
best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.
FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high in the southern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:10 |
Low in the southern sky in
moonlight at ~03:00 |
Low in the southern sky at
~02:30 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-27 |
40o
N |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:00 |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~03:10 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~02:30 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~01:40 |
Low in the southern sky in
moonlight at ~01:00 |
1- |
Equator |
High during morning twilight at
~04:50 |
High at ~03:00 |
High at ~02:30 |
High at ~01:40 |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~03:50 |
1- |
30o S |
High during morning twilight at
~05:00 |
High at ~03:10 |
High at ~02:30 |
High at ~02:10 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~19:50 |
1- |
103P/Hartley: A morning
comet visible in small telescopes
This comet begins the month in Perseus at magnitude 11.2. Look
for a 3' coma. It should brighten by about 1.3 magnitudes, moving into Auriga by
month's end. FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during evening twilight at ~20:50 |
High in moonlight at ~03:00 |
High at ~03:20 |
High at ~03:40 |
High during morning twilight at
~04:10 |
1- |
40o
N |
Not visible |
High in moonlight at ~03:50 |
High at ~04:00 |
High at ~04:10 |
High during morning twilight at
~04:30 |
1- |
Equator |
Not visible |
High in moonlight at ~04:30 |
High at ~04:30 |
High at ~04:30 |
High during morning twilight at
~04:40 |
1- |
30o S |
Not visible |
Low in the northern sky at
~04:40 |
Low in the northern sky at
~04:30 |
Fairly high in the northern sky
at ~04:30 |
Fairly high in the northern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:30 |
1- |
C/2021 T4 (Lemmon): An
evening comet visible in a 6-inch (15 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Libra at magnitude 10.9. Look for
a 2.5' coma. It should fade by about 1.3 magnitudes by month's end. The best
visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
40o
N |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:50 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-17 |
Equator |
High at ~19:10 |
Fairly high at ~19:10 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:00 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:00 |
1- |
30o S |
High at ~19:10 |
Fairly high at ~19:10 |
Fairly high at ~19:10 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:20 |
1- |
12P/Pons-Brooks: An
evening comet visible in a 6-inch (15 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Draco at magnitude 11.6. Look for
a 1.5' coma. It should brighten by about 0.5 magnitudes, moving into Hercules by
month's end. FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
High during evening twilight at
~20:50 |
High at ~21:00 |
High at ~20:30 |
High at ~20:20 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:20 |
1- |
40o
N |
High at ~20:10 |
High at ~20:00 |
High at ~19:50 |
Fairly high at ~22:10 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:00 |
1- |
Equator |
Fairly high at ~19:20 |
Fairly high at ~19:20 |
Fairly high at ~19:10 |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~19:10 |
Fairly high at ~19:00 |
1- |
30o S |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-24 |
C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS): A
southern hemisphere morning comet visible in an 8-inch (20 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Pyxis at magnitude 12.6. Look for
a 50" coma. It should brighten by about 0.6 magnitudes, 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 September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
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 |
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 ~04:50 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~04:50 |
1- |
30o S |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~05:00 |
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 ~04:30 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:30 |
1- |
237P/LINEAR: An evening
comet visible in a 10-inch (25 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Aquila at magnitude 13.0. Look
for a 50" coma. It should fade by about 0.6 magnitudes by month's end.
FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~20:50 |
Fairly high at ~20:50 |
Fairly high at ~20:30 |
Fairly high at ~20:30 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:20 |
1- |
40o
N |
High at ~20:10 |
High at ~20:20 |
High at ~20:00 |
Fairly high at ~22:30 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:00 |
1- |
Equator |
High at ~20:30 |
High at ~20:20 |
High at ~20:00 |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~23:10 |
High at ~19:10 |
1- |
30o S |
High at ~20:40 |
High at ~20:20 |
High at ~20:00 |
High in moonlight at ~19:20 |
High at ~19:30 |
1- |
C/2023 E1 (ATLAS): An
evening comet visible in a 12.5-inch (32 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Pegasus at magnitude 10.9. Look
for a 4.5' coma. It should fade rapidly, moving into Aquarius by month's end.
FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~20:40 |
Fairly high at ~22:50 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-20 |
40o
N |
Fairly high at ~20:20 |
High at ~22:50 |
Fairly high at ~22:30 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-23 |
Equator |
High at ~20:30 |
High at ~22:50 |
High at ~22:30 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-24 |
30o S |
High at ~20:50 |
High at ~22:50 |
High at ~22:30 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-23 |
C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS): A
morning comet visible in a 14-inch (36 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Pegasus at magnitude 12.8. Look
for a 1.5' coma. It should fade by about 0.7 magnitudes, moving into Pisces by
month's end. FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during evening twilight at ~20:40 |
High at ~00:10 |
High at ~23:40 |
High at ~23:00 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during evening twilight at ~19:20 |
1- |
40o
N |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~20:20 |
High at ~00:20 |
High at ~23:40 |
High at ~23:10 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:00 |
1-27, 29- |
Equator |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~20:40 |
High at ~00:20 |
High at ~23:40 |
High at ~00:50 |
High at ~19:10 |
1-26, 29- |
30o S |
Low in the eastern sky at
~21:10 |
High at ~00:20 |
High at ~23:40 |
Fairly high at ~01:50 |
Fairly high at ~19:40 |
1-26, 29- |
29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann:
A morning comet visible in a 16-inch (41 cm) telescope
This comet begins the month in Cancer at magnitude 13.1. Look
for a 1' coma. It should brighten slowly. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~03:10 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:20 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:30 |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~03:50 |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:10 |
1- |
40o
N |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:00 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:00 |
Fairly high at ~04:10 |
Fairly high at ~04:20 |
High during morning twilight at
~04:30 |
1- |
Equator |
Low 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
at ~04:40 |
Fairly high at ~04:40 |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:40 |
1- |
30o S |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~04:40 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~04:30 |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~04:30 |
9- |
C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS): A
morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Monoceros at magnitude 13.0. Look
for a 1.5' coma. It should fade slowly. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~03:40 |
Low in the southern sky during
morning twilight at ~03:50 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:10 |
11- |
40o
N |
Low in the eastern sky during
morning twilight at ~04:10 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:10 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during morning twilight at ~04:10 |
Fairly high at ~04:20 |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:30 |
1- |
Equator |
High during morning twilight at
~04:50 |
High in moonlight at ~04:40 |
High at ~04:40 |
High at ~04:40 |
High during morning twilight at
~04:40 |
1- |
30o S |
High during morning twilight at
~05:00 |
High in moonlight at ~04:40 |
High at ~04:30 |
High at ~04:20 |
High during morning twilight at
~04:30 |
1- |
C/2020 K1 (PANSTARRS): A
southern hemisphere evening comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Musca at magnitude 13.5. Look for
a 1' coma. It should fade slowly. The best visibility is early in the month as
seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
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 in the southern sky
at ~19:10 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~19:10 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~19:20 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~04:20 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~19:20 |
1- |
C/2019 L3 (ATLAS): A
southern hemisphere morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Antlia at magnitude 13.7. Look
for a 50" coma. It should fade slowly. The best visibility is late in the
month as seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
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 |
Not visible |
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 ~04:30 |
Not visible |
8-12, 15-28 |
C/2019 T4 (ATLAS): An
evening comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Serpens Caput at magnitude 14.4.
Look for a 55" coma. It should fade slowly. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~20:50 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~20:40 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~20:20 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~20:00 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:30 |
1- |
40o
N |
High at ~20:10 |
Fairly high at ~19:50 |
Fairly high at ~19:40 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:30 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:00 |
1- |
Equator |
High at ~19:20 |
High at ~19:10 |
Fairly high at ~19:10 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:00 |
Fairly high at ~19:00 |
1- |
30o S |
Fairly high at ~19:10 |
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 |
1-24, 30- |
C/2022 E3 (ZTF): A
southern hemisphere morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Columba at magnitude 14.3. Look
for a 2.5' coma. It should fade slowly, moving into Puppis by month's end. The
best visibility is mid-month as seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
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 moonlight at
~04:40 |
Fairly high at ~04:40 |
Fairly high at ~04:40 |
Not visible |
5-27 |
30o S |
Not visible |
High in moonlight at ~04:40 |
High at ~04:30 |
High at ~04:20 |
Not visible |
3-27 |
126P/IRAS: A morning comet
visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Perseus at magnitude 14.4. Look
for a 40" coma. It should fade by about 0.6 magnitudes, moving into
Cassiopeia by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
during evening twilight at ~20:50 |
High in moonlight at ~02:40 |
High at ~02:50 |
High at ~02:10 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:20 |
1- |
40o
N |
Low in the northern sky in
moonlight at ~21:00 |
High in moonlight at ~02:50 |
High at ~02:50 |
High at ~02:10 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:00 |
1- |
Equator |
High in moonlight at ~04:50 |
Fairly high at ~03:10 |
Fairly high at ~02:50 |
Fairly high in the northern sky
at ~02:10 |
Fairly high in the northern sky
in moonlight at ~01:40 |
1- |
30o S |
Low in the northern sky in
moonlight at ~04:00 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-7 |
C/2021 X1 (Maury-Attard):
A morning comet visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Pisces at magnitude 14.7. Look
for a 1.5' coma. It should remain constant. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
High in moonlight at ~02:00 |
High at ~01:20 |
High at ~00:30 |
Low in the eastern sky during
evening twilight at ~19:30 |
3-27, 30- |
40o
N |
Not visible |
High at ~01:50 |
High at ~01:20 |
High at ~00:30 |
Low in the eastern sky during
evening twilight at ~19:00 |
4-27, 30- |
Equator |
Not visible |
High at ~02:00 |
High at ~01:20 |
High at ~01:00 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~19:20 |
3-27, 30- |
30o S |
Not visible |
High at ~02:00 |
High at ~01:20 |
High at ~02:00 |
Fairly high in the eastern sky
at ~19:50 |
3-26, 30- |
81P/Wild: An evening comet
visible in very large telescopes
This comet begins the month in Ophiuchus at magnitude 15.1. Look
for a 35" coma. It should fade by about 0.5 magnitudes by month's end. The
best visibility is early in the month as seen from the southern hemisphere.
FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility September 2 |
Visibility September 9 |
Visibility September 16 |
Visibility September 23 |
Visibility September 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
40o
N |
Fairly high in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~20:00 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~19:50 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
during evening twilight at ~19:40 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-20 |
Equator |
High at ~19:20 |
High at ~19:20 |
High at ~19:10 |
Not visible |
High at ~19:10 |
1-21, 30- |
30o S |
High at ~19:20 |
High at ~19:20 |
High at ~19:20 |
Not visible |
High at ~19:30 |
1-21, 30- |