Comet Tracker

What it does

Lists upcoming comet apparitions with their date of closest approach to the Sun and an estimated peak brightness, plus a short viewing note for each.

What you need

• No location and no network. The list is built into the app and works offline.

How to use it

1. Open the tool. The Upcoming Comets card lists every comet in the app's data whose closest approach to the Sun (perihelion) has not yet passed, soonest first.
2. Read each row for its details.

Reading the results

Each row shows:

• The comet's designation and name.
• Perihelion date: when it is closest to the Sun, usually near its brightest.
• est. mag: the expected peak brightness as an apparent magnitude. Lower numbers are brighter.
• The orbit: either the number of years for periodic comets, or "long-period".
• A short note about the apparition.

If nothing is upcoming, the card says there are no known upcoming apparitions in its data window.

Tips

• Predicted magnitudes are estimates. Comets can fizzle below forecast or outburst above it.
• This tool does not compute whether a comet is visible from your location, so check sky conditions and position separately.
• Shoot Forecast shows the next two comets on its Comets card.