Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)
Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) is in the constellation of
Taurus,
at a distance of
Finder Charts
View interactive star map
High precision deep sky finder chart, 60 arcmin wide, showing where Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) is right now. Click on the image to see a more detailed fullscreen tracker view.


Also check out Where is Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)?, a page that provides all the information needed to find Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) in the sky and additional links to sky charts.
Celestial Coordinates
Apparent
J2000
Additional Information
The observed values of Magnitude, Coma Diameter and Tail Length are derived from the most recent observation recorded at the Comet Observers Database. The value of Predicted Magnitude comes from the JPL Horizons ephemerides service and, in the case of comets, might be inaccurate given the highly dynamic and unpredictable behavior of these objects. When available, please refer to the Observed Magnitude value and consider the Predicted Magnitude as a directional indication. We acknowledge with thanks the comet observations from the COBS Comet Observation Database contributed by observers worldwide and used in this table to report recent comet observations.
Rise and Set Times
Today's rise, transit and set times of Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) from Gwalior, India (all times relative to the local timezone Asia/Kolkata):
- C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) is above the horizon from Gwalior, India.
- Right now it is placed in the East direction at an altitude of 45.78° above the horizon.
- Given its current magnitude, C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) is visible only through long exposure photography.
- Go to interactive sky chart
If you need to access this information frequently for your observations, you can create a simple customized Quick Access page, so that you can easily bookmark it in your browser favorites or add a shortcut to your mobile phones' home screen.
Distance from Earth
The distance of Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) from Earth is currently
The following chart shows the distance of Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) from Earth as a function of time. In the chart the distance data is measured in Astronomical Units and sampled with an interval of 1 day.
The value of the reported distance might be somewhat inaccurate around the times of closest approach for objects passing extremely close to Earth. The value of the distance of C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) from Earth is also available as a real time updated value in the Live Position and Data Tracker.
Closest Approach
Between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2099, the closest approach of Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) to Earth happens on Thu Jul 14 2022 at a distance of 1.807997 Astronomical Units, or 270,472,476 kilometers:
NOTE: values for the closest approach are computed with a sampling interval of 1 day.
Light Curve
The following chart is the predicted light curve (visual magnitude as a function of time) of Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS), according to the most recent ephemerides data. Magnitude data is sampled with a 2 days interval and there might be inaccuracies for objects changing brightness very rapidly during the course of a few days. For comets there could be large discrepancies between the observed and predicted brightness because of their highly dynamic behaviour.
Orbital Elements
The following table lists the orbital elements of Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) at epoch 03 June 2021 00:00 UTC (JD: 2459369.5). Source: JPL Small-Body Database
Element | Symbol | Value |
---|---|---|
Orbit eccentricity | e | 1.00056078 |
Orbit inclination | i | 87.55243451° |
Perihelion distance | q | 1.79758614 AU 268,915,059 km |
Aphelion distance | Q | n.a. |
Semi-major axis | a | n.a. |
Orbital period | period | n.a. |
Date of perihelion transit | Tp | 2022-Dec-19 18:20:10 2,459,933.2640 JD |
Argument of perihelion | peri | 236.18815747° |
Longitude of the ascending node | node | 88.24466059559° |
Mean anomaly | M | -0.0030616420406343° |
Mean motion | n | 0.00000543°/day |
View Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) in the 3D Solar System Simulator
15 Days Ephemeris
The following table lists the ephemerides of Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) computed for the past and next 7 days, with a 24 hours interval. Apparent celestial coordinates are provided.
Date | Right AscensionR.A. | DeclinationDec. | MagnitudeMag | Constellation |
---|---|---|---|---|
2025 May 19 | 05h 40m 30s | +25° 11’ 58” | 17.72 | Taurus |
2025 May 20 | 05h 40m 55s | +25° 13’ 25” | 17.73 | Taurus |
2025 May 21 | 05h 41m 20s | +25° 14’ 53” | 17.73 | Taurus |
2025 May 22 | 05h 41m 44s | +25° 16’ 20” | 17.74 | Taurus |
2025 May 23 | 05h 42m 09s | +25° 17’ 47” | 17.74 | Taurus |
2025 May 24 | 05h 42m 34s | +25° 19’ 13” | 17.75 | Taurus |
2025 May 25 | 05h 43m 00s | +25° 20’ 39” | 17.75 | Taurus |
2025 May 26 | 05h 43m 25s | +25° 22’ 04” | 17.76 | Taurus |
2025 May 27 | 05h 43m 50s | +25° 23’ 30” | 17.76 | Taurus |
2025 May 28 | 05h 44m 16s | +25° 24’ 55” | 17.77 | Taurus |
2025 May 29 | 05h 44m 42s | +25° 26’ 20” | 17.77 | Taurus |
2025 May 30 | 05h 45m 07s | +25° 27’ 45” | 17.78 | Taurus |
2025 May 31 | 05h 45m 33s | +25° 29’ 09” | 17.78 | Taurus |
2025 Jun 01 | 05h 45m 59s | +25° 30’ 34” | 17.79 | Taurus |
Additional Resources on TheSkyLive
- Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS): Complete reference information on TheSkyLive.com.
- Where is Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)?: Key information on locating Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) in the sky.
- Distance from Earth: Find out how far Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) is from Earth right now.
- How Bright is Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)?: Current visual brightness (magnitude) and apparent size.
- Rise and Set Times: Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)'s rise and set times from your location.
- Interactive Sky Map: planetarium-style interactive visualization of Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)'s position in the sky.
- Live Position Tracker: high precision position tracker with deep space imagery.
- Ephemeris: 15 days Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)'s computed ephemeris.
- Orbital elements: information about Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) orbital parameters.
- Orbit Visualization. 3d interactive visualization showing the orbit of Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) with respect to the major Solar System objects.