Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS)
Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS) is in the constellation of
Puppis,
at a distance of
Finder Charts
View interactive star map
High precision deep sky finder chart, 60 arcmin wide, showing where Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS) is right now. Click on the image to see a more detailed fullscreen tracker view.
Also check out Where is Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS)?, a page that provides all the information needed to find Comet C/2024 X2 (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 X2 (ATLAS) from Greenwich, UK (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):
- C/2024 X2 (ATLAS) is below the horizon from Greenwich, UK.
- Given its current magnitude, C/2024 X2 (ATLAS) 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/2024 X2 (ATLAS) from Earth is currently
The following chart shows the distance of Comet C/2024 X2 (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 X2 (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 X2 (ATLAS) to Earth happens on Mon Jan 19 2026 at a distance of 3.080437 Astronomical Units, or 460,826,792 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 X2 (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 X2 (ATLAS) at epoch 15 December 2024 00:00 UTC (JD: 2460660.5). Source: JPL Small-Body Database
| Element | Symbol | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Orbit eccentricity | e | 0.90581934 |
| Orbit inclination | i | 109.13924159° |
| Perihelion distance | q | 3.67757662 AU 550,157,632 km |
| Aphelion distance | Q |
74.41864335 AU 11,132,870,609 km |
| Semi-major axis | a |
39.04810999 AU 5,841,514,120 km |
| Orbital period | period |
244.0103 years 89,124.7765 days |
| Date of perihelion transit | Tp | 2025-Jul-05 00:33:44 2,460,861.5234 JD |
| Argument of perihelion | peri | 315.31012323157° |
| Longitude of the ascending node | node | 122.83996532447° |
| Mean anomaly | M | 359.18800991292° |
| Mean motion | n | 0.00403928°/day |
View Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS) in the 3D Solar System Simulator
15 Days Ephemeris
The following table lists the ephemerides of Comet C/2024 X2 (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 22 | 07h 44m 19s | -25° 44’ 02” | 18.12 | Puppis |
| 2025 May 23 | 07h 44m 59s | -25° 25’ 26” | 18.13 | Puppis |
| 2025 May 24 | 07h 45m 39s | -25° 07’ 03” | 18.13 | Puppis |
| 2025 May 25 | 07h 46m 21s | -24° 48’ 56” | 18.14 | Puppis |
| 2025 May 26 | 07h 47m 02s | -24° 31’ 02” | 18.15 | Puppis |
| 2025 May 27 | 07h 47m 43s | -24° 13’ 21” | 18.15 | Puppis |
| 2025 May 28 | 07h 48m 25s | -23° 55’ 56” | 18.16 | Puppis |
| 2025 May 29 | 07h 49m 08s | -23° 38’ 43” | 18.16 | Puppis |
| 2025 May 30 | 07h 49m 50s | -23° 21’ 45” | 18.17 | Puppis |
| 2025 May 31 | 07h 50m 33s | -23° 04’ 59” | 18.17 | Puppis |
| 2025 Jun 01 | 07h 51m 16s | -22° 48’ 28” | 18.18 | Puppis |
| 2025 Jun 02 | 07h 52m 00s | -22° 32’ 10” | 18.18 | Puppis |
| 2025 Jun 03 | 07h 52m 44s | -22° 16’ 06” | 18.19 | Puppis |
| 2025 Jun 04 | 07h 53m 28s | -22° 00’ 15” | 18.19 | Puppis |
Additional Resources on TheSkyLive
- Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS): Complete reference information on TheSkyLive.com.
- Where is Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS)?: Key information on locating Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS) in the sky.
- Distance from Earth: Find out how far Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS) is from Earth right now.
- How Bright is Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS)?: Current visual brightness (magnitude) and apparent size.
- Rise and Set Times: Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS)'s rise and set times from your location.
- Interactive Sky Map: planetarium-style interactive visualization of Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS)'s position in the sky.
- Live Position Tracker: high precision position tracker with deep space imagery.
- Ephemeris: 15 days Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS)'s computed ephemeris.
- Orbital elements: information about Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS) orbital parameters.
- Orbit Visualization. 3d interactive visualization showing the orbit of Comet C/2024 X2 (ATLAS) with respect to the major Solar System objects.