Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS)
Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) is in the constellation of
Crater,
at a distance of
Finder Charts
View interactive star map
High precision deep sky finder chart, 60 arcmin wide, showing where Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) is right now. Click on the image to see a more detailed fullscreen tracker view.


Also check out Where is Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS)?, a page that provides all the information needed to find Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) 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/2024 L5 (ATLAS) from Greenwich, UK (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):
- C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) is above the horizon from Greenwich, UK.
- Right now it is placed in the South-South-West direction at an altitude of 28.54° above the horizon.
- Given its current magnitude, C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) is visible only through long exposure photography.
- Go to interactive sky chart
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Distance from Earth
The distance of Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) from Earth is currently
The following chart shows the distance of Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) 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/2024 L5 (ATLAS) 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/2024 L5 (ATLAS) to Earth happens on Thu Apr 10 2025 at a distance of 2.473368 Astronomical Units, or 370,010,606 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/2024 L5 (ATLAS), 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/2024 L5 (ATLAS) at epoch 22 November 2024 00:00 UTC (JD: 2460637.5). Source: JPL Small-Body Database
Element | Symbol | Value |
---|---|---|
Orbit eccentricity | e | 1.03749719 |
Orbit inclination | i | 166.57331674° |
Perihelion distance | q | 3.43237342 AU 513,475,757 km |
Aphelion distance | Q | n.a. |
Semi-major axis | a | n.a. |
Orbital period | period | n.a. |
Date of perihelion transit | Tp | 2025-Mar-10 09:45:55 2,460,744.9069 JD |
Argument of perihelion | peri | 290.51280389837° |
Longitude of the ascending node | node | 139.17192796778° |
Mean anomaly | M | -0.12087666059771° |
Mean motion | n | 0.00112541°/day |
View Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) in the 3D Solar System Simulator
15 Days Ephemeris
The following table lists the ephemerides of Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) 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 20 | 11h 31m 03s | -11° 07’ 05” | 16.09 | Crater |
2025 May 21 | 11h 29m 47s | -10° 51’ 06” | 16.11 | Crater |
2025 May 22 | 11h 28m 33s | -10° 35’ 23” | 16.13 | Crater |
2025 May 23 | 11h 27m 21s | -10° 19’ 59” | 16.15 | Crater |
2025 May 24 | 11h 26m 12s | -10° 04’ 50” | 16.16 | Crater |
2025 May 25 | 11h 25m 04s | -09° 49’ 59” | 16.18 | Crater |
2025 May 26 | 11h 23m 59s | -09° 35’ 25” | 16.20 | Crater |
2025 May 27 | 11h 22m 56s | -09° 21’ 07” | 16.22 | Crater |
2025 May 28 | 11h 21m 55s | -09° 07’ 07” | 16.24 | Crater |
2025 May 29 | 11h 20m 56s | -08° 53’ 23” | 16.26 | Crater |
2025 May 30 | 11h 20m 00s | -08° 39’ 57” | 16.27 | Crater |
2025 May 31 | 11h 19m 05s | -08° 26’ 48” | 16.29 | Crater |
2025 Jun 01 | 11h 18m 12s | -08° 13’ 54” | 16.31 | Crater |
2025 Jun 02 | 11h 17m 21s | -08° 01’ 18” | 16.33 | Crater |
Additional Resources on TheSkyLive
- Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS): Complete reference information on TheSkyLive.com.
- Where is Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS)?: Key information on locating Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) in the sky.
- Distance from Earth: Find out how far Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) is from Earth right now.
- How Bright is Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS)?: Current visual brightness (magnitude) and apparent size.
- Rise and Set Times: Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS)'s rise and set times from your location.
- Interactive Sky Map: planetarium-style interactive visualization of Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS)'s position in the sky.
- Live Position Tracker: high precision position tracker with deep space imagery.
- Ephemeris: 15 days Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS)'s computed ephemeris.
- Orbital elements: information about Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) orbital parameters.
- Orbit Visualization. 3d interactive visualization showing the orbit of Comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) with respect to the major Solar System objects.