Comet 13P/Olbs will be closest to Earth on July 20

View larger. | Comet 13P/Olbs makes its closest approach to Earth on July 20, 2024. Astrophotographers can take long-exposure images or stack them to get stunning results like this one, which shows Comet 13P/Olbs over Terna , Slovakia. Image by Petr Horalek. Used with permission.

Comet 13P/Olbs approaches Earth

Comet 13P/Olbers is returning to the inner solar system after 68 years. And you can actually see it with binoculars! The periodic comet made its perihelion – or closest approach to the sun – on June 30. Comet 13P/Olbers will be closest to Earth on Saturday, July 20. It is currently in Ursa Major, but is moving rapidly towards the Little Lion in the northwestern sky.

During its closest approach, the comet will pass within 176 million miles (283.5 million km) of our planet. Even at that distance, comet 13P/Olbers is currently the brightest comet in our skies. The celestial visitor orbits the sun every 68 years (67.9 to be exact), according to NASA/JPL. Since it returns and has an orbit of less than 200 years, it receives the classification of a periodic or “Halley-type” comet.

It is currently approaching the inner solar system at a speed of 83,802 miles per hour (134,867 kph) relative to Earth.

Observation of Comet 13P/Olbers

The best time to observe (with binoculars or a small telescope) and photograph Comet 13P/Olbers is this week. Comet 13P/Olbers has a magnitude of 6.5 to 7, meaning it is not visible to the naked eye. But it should be observed with binoculars.

Observers with binoculars or a small telescope in the Northern Hemisphere will have the best chance of seeing the comet. Meanwhile, observers using optical aids near the equator may be able to spot it far below the horizon shortly after sunset.

On July 16, shortly after sunset, comet 13P/Olbs will pass close to NGC 3104, an irregular galaxy in Leo Minor. It is a great opportunity for astrophotographers.

During its closest approach on July 20, 2024, the celestial visitor will pass close to the galaxy NGC 3219 in the dome of our sky. Thus, the distant galaxy will be a convenient reference to run a computerized or “Go To” telescope.

Comet 13P/Olbers: A field of stars showing a brighter, fuzzy object in the center with an upward-pointing tail. — Check out the EarthSky Community Photos. | George Cassutto in Brunswick, Maryland caught Comet 13P/Olbers on July 1, 2024, around 9:00 PM Thanks, George! Find out how to see the comet yourself, below.

Finder maps

Star chart showing signs for the comet located between Ursa Major and Leo Minor. — Look for Comet 13P/Olbers on July 14, 2024, between Ursa Major and Leo Minor. Look northwest just after sunset and use binoculars or a telescope. Image via Stellarium/ Eddie Irizarry.

Star chart showing the location of a fuzzy white comet and several stars. — Here’s a closer look at the location of Comet 13P/Olbers and nearby stars on July 14, 2024. Image via Stellarium/Edi Irizarry.

Star chart showing a close-up of the fuzzy comet and some surrounding stars. — Here’s a close-up of Comet 13P/Olbers and nearby stars on July 16, 2024. Image via Stellarium/Edi Irizarry.

Star chart showing a horizon and constellation with markers for the comet's location. — Comet 13P/Olbers finder map for July 18, 2024. Look to the northwest with binoculars or a telescope after sunset. Image via Stellarium/ Eddie Irizarry.

Blurred comet in center with somewhat bright stars nearby with labels. — Here’s a close-up look at Comet 13P/Olbers on July 18, 2024. Image via Stellarium/Edi Irizarry.

Star chart showing the horizon and constellations with markers for the comet's location. — This locator chart shows the location of Comet 13P/Olbers on July 20, 2024. This is the date of the comet’s closest approach to Earth. Image via Stellarium/ Eddie Irizarry.

Star chart showing a comet near the center with faint stars around. — Here’s a close-up look at the location of Comet 13P/Olbers and surrounding stars on July 20, 2024. Image via Stellarium/Edi Irizarry.

The discovery of the comet

Heinrich Olbers discovered the comet that now bears his name on March 6, 1815, from Bremen, Germany. At that time, it was slightly visible to the naked eye.

The comet’s last visit to the inner solar system was in 1956. And after passing by Earth in 2024, we won’t see it again until March 2094. So take a look at the charts and try to spot it now.

Bottom line: Comet 13P/Olbs is making its closest approach to Earth on July 20, 2024. Want to see it for yourself? Check out the locator maps here.

Read more: Observable Comets in 2024, by Guy Ottewell

Eddie Irizarry

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About the Author:

Eddie Irizarry of the Sociedad de Astronomía del Caribe (Caribbean Astronomical Society) has been a NASA Solar System Ambassador since 2004. He is a public favorite and has published numerous astronomy articles for EarthSky as well as newspapers in Porto. Rico. He has also delivered dozens of lectures on asteroids and comets at the Arecibo Observatory. Asteroid 33012EddieIrizarry, a 7.8 km space rock, is named in his honor.