Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in 2026: When and How to See It
We’ve been waiting for it for 5 long years — and now it’s back! Comet 10P/Tempel 2 is already showing up in new astrophotos, and by early August 2026, it is expected to reach its peak brightness and become visible with binoculars. Here’s when to look, what to expect, and how to find 10P/Tempel 2 in the sky. To check the comet’s position and visibility for your exact location, use the Star Walk 2 app.
Contents
- Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in 2026: At a Glance
- Best Dates to See Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in 2026
- Comet 10P/Tempel 2: Visibility in 2026
- Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in 2026: Finder Charts
Comet 10P/Tempel 2: Frequently Asked Questions
- When to see Comet 10P/Tempel 2?
- Where to see Comet 10P/Tempel 2?
- How bright will Comet 10P/Tempel 2 get in 2026?
- What will Comet Tempel 2 look like?
- Will Comet 10P/Tempel 2 be visible to the naked eye?
- What equipment do I need to see Comet 10P/Tempel 2?
- When will Comet 10P/Tempel 2 return?
- When will Comet 10P/Tempel 2 return after 2026?
- Facts about Comet 10P/Tempel 2
- Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in 2026: Bottom line
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in 2026: At a Glance
- Name: Comet 10P/Tempel 2
- Next perihelion: August 2, 2026 (0.4 AU)
- Next closest approach to Earth: August 3, 2026 (1.4 AU)
- Best visibility: Northern Hemisphere – July and early August 2026; Southern Hemisphere – August 2026
- Expected peak brightness: about mag 8–10, likely closer to mag 9–10 by conservative estimates
- Equipment: large binoculars, a small telescope, or a camera
Best Dates to See Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in 2026
| Date | Why it matters | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| July 10–16 | Darker sky around the New Moon | Good for early attempts, especially with telescopes and cameras |
| July 26–29 | Tempel 2 passes near the globular cluster M30 | A good opportunity to locate and photograph the comet, but the Moon will brighten the sky |
| August 2 | Perihelion — closest point to the Sun | Expect strong comet activity around this time |
| August 3 | Closest approach to Earth and likely peak brightness | Likely the highlight of the apparition, best placed for southern observers |
| Around August 12 | New Moon gives dark skies again | A useful second dark-sky window after peak, mostly for southern latitudes |
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 Right Now: July 8, 2026
- Estimated brightness: mag 10.2 (too faint for the naked eye)
- Distance to Earth: 0.47 AU
- Distance to the Sun: 1.45 AU
- Constellation: Aquarius
- Visibility: already within reach of experienced observers with telescopes and cameras under dark skies
Comet 10P/Tempel 2: Visibility in 2026
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 is on its way to the Sun — and it’s brightening quickly. Astronomers are already capturing it in new images and observing it through large telescopes. The comet should brighten further through July and reach its maximum brightness around early August.
So, how bright will Tempel 2 get at its best? Well, forecasts differ: some optimistic predictions put it near mag 7–8, while more cautious estimates suggest about mag 9–10. What they agree on is that Tempel 2 is not expected to become a naked-eye comet. It should be treated as a binocular, telescope, or astrophotography target. Under dark skies, large binoculars may work around the best dates, but a small telescope will be more reliable.
The main observing challenge is geometry. Around its brightest time, Tempel 2 will be placed better for the Southern Hemisphere. From mid-northern latitudes, it will be low in the southern sky, so haze, light pollution, and obstacles near the horizon can easily make it harder to see.
Why the 2026 return of Tempel 2 is special
The 2026 apparition is one of the best returns of Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in decades. The comet reaches perihelion on August 2 and passes closest to Earth only about a day later, at roughly 0.414 AU. That close timing is why Tempel 2 may become one of the most interesting binocular or small-telescope comets of 2026 — even though it will not be bright enough for naked-eye viewing.
Comet 10P/Tempel 2: Visibility in the Northern Hemisphere
- July 2026: This is the best practical month for many Northern Hemisphere observers. The comet will still be faint, but it will be higher than in August and easier to catch from dark sites. Look for it low in the southern sky. The best observing window comes around the New Moon on July 14, when moonlight won’t interfere.
- Late July 2026: Tempel 2 becomes more interesting as it brightens and passes near several useful sky landmarks. The highlight comes on July 29, when the comet passes about 0.5° from the globular cluster M30. This is one of the best charting and composition opportunities of the apparition, though moonlight will be a serious issue around July 29. For a darker visual attempt, the New Moon window around July 14 is better.
- Early August 2026: The comet reaches perihelion on August 2 and comes closest to Earth around August 3. It may be near its brightest, but from northern latitudes it will be very low above the southern horizon. For the best chance, choose a dark site with a completely open southern horizon.
- Mid-August 2026: The New Moon on August 12 gives darker skies, but the comet will already be harder to observe from the north because of its low altitude. It may still be possible with a telescope, but it will not be an easy target.
- September 2026: Tempel 2 becomes impractical for many northern observers. It will be too low in the sky, even if it remains within reach of telescopes under good conditions.
Comet 10P/Tempel 2: Visibility in the Southern Hemisphere
- July 2026: The comet will brighten through the month and become a better target for telescopes and cameras. Southern observers will generally have a better view than northern observers because Tempel 2 will stand higher above the horizon. A useful imaging and finder-chart highlight comes around July 26–29, when Tempel 2 passes near the globular cluster M30. The closest pairing is very attractive, but the bright Moon will make the comet harder to catch.
- Early August 2026: This is the key period for the Southern Hemisphere. Around August 2–3, the comet will be near both perihelion and closest approach to Earth. It may reach about mag 8–10, making it a realistic binocular or small-telescope target under dark skies.
- Mid-August 2026: Conditions remain better than in the Northern Hemisphere. The New Moon on August 12 gives another good dark-sky window, though the comet should gradually begin to fade after its peak.
- September 2026: Tempel 2 may remain observable from southern latitudes with telescopes and cameras, but it will become fainter and less impressive than in July–August.
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in 2026: Finder Charts
The finder charts below show where Comet 10P/Tempel 2 will be in July and August 2026. July is especially important for northern observers: the comet will be fainter than at peak, but easier to place in the sky. August brings maximum brightness, but also worse altitude for northern latitudes.
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in July 2026
In July, Comet 10P/Tempel 2 will move through the southern part of the sky and brighten as it approaches perihelion. It will be best seen from a dark site with an open southern horizon.
- Early July: The comet passes near M72 and M73, useful deep-sky landmarks for telescopic observing and wide-field imaging.
- Around July 9: Tempel 2 crosses from Aquarius into Capricornus.
- Around July 14: The New Moon gives one of the best dark-sky windows of the month.
- Mid-July: Tempel 2 moves near the Capricornus stars Nashira and Deneb Algedi, which can help you orient yourself in the area.
- July 29: The comet passes about 0.5° from the globular cluster M30. This is probably the best charting and imaging opportunity of the 2026 apparition and one of the best dates to mark.
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in August 2026
In August, Comet 10P/Tempel 2 should be near its brightest, but not necessarily easiest to observe. From northern latitudes, it will be low in the southern sky. From southern latitudes, it should be much better placed.
- August 2: Tempel 2 reaches perihelion while still in Capricornus. Around this time, the comet may brighten to about mag 8–10.
- August 3: The comet passes closest to Earth, at about 0.414 AU, and moves into Piscis Austrinus.
- August 12: The New Moon gives a darker sky, but the comet will already be lower and gradually fading for northern observers.
- Late August: Tempel 2 becomes more difficult from the north, while southern observers may still follow it with telescopes and cameras.
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in September-October 2026
After August, the comet will fade and become a more difficult target. It spends all of September and most of October in Piscis Austrinus, then crosses into Sculptor around October 19. For northern observers, September is not a good observing window: Tempel 2 will be too low above the horizon. Southern observers may continue tracking it longer, but it will no longer be at its best.
Around October 16, the comet passes about 1.4° from Fomalhaut, one of the brightest stars in the southern sky. This could be an interesting imaging opportunity, but by then the comet will be much fainter and mostly telescopic.
How to find Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in the sky?
The easiest way to find Comet 10P/Tempel 2 is to use the astronomy app Star Walk 2. Here’s how to do it:
- Tap the magnifying glass icon on the main screen.
- Type “Tempel 2” or “10P” in the search field and tap the corresponding search result. The app will show you where the comet is right now on the sky map.
- Tap the small compass icon at the upper left corner of the screen, OR point your device at the sky. Now, follow the arrow to find the comet in the sky above you.
Can you capture Comet 10P/Tempel 2 with a smart telescope?
Besides binoculars and traditional telescopes, you can also follow Tempel 2 with a smart telescope such as the Seestar S30 (US Store | Global Store).
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 is a challenging object for casual observers — faint, diffuse, and low above the horizon for many locations. A smart telescope can make the experience much easier: it automatically finds the target, tracks the sky, and stacks short exposures to show the comet on your phone or tablet. Instead of searching for a barely visible fuzzy patch by eye, you can watch the comet gradually appear in the image.
Under good conditions, smart telescopes like Seestar can capture Tempel 2 even while it is still around magnitude 10–11. The result will probably be modest — a small diffuse glow rather than a spectacular tail — but for such a faint comet, that is already a very good catch.
For the best result, choose a dark site with an open southern horizon, check the comet’s position in Star Walk 2, and give the telescope enough time to collect light. Around July 29, try framing Tempel 2 together with M30 for one of the most attractive imaging opportunities of the apparition.
Comet 10P/Tempel 2: Frequently Asked Questions
When to see Comet 10P/Tempel 2?
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 is already visible in large telescopes and is expected to keep brightening over the coming weeks. For northern observers, one of the best dates is July 29, when the comet passes close to the globular cluster M30. For southern observers, the best overall period is likely early August, around perihelion and closest approach.
Where to see Comet 10P/Tempel 2?
In July and August 2026, Comet 10P/Tempel 2 will be visible in the southern part of the sky, generally best placed late at night and around the early morning hours from mid-northern latitudes. Southern Hemisphere observers will get a higher, easier view.
How bright will Comet 10P/Tempel 2 get in 2026?
Brightness forecasts vary widely. Around perihelion and closest approach, Tempel 2 may reach about magnitude 8–10, though a more cautious expectation is closer to mag 9–10. In practice, that means it will probably be too faint to see with the naked eye, but visible in binoculars or small telescopes from a dark location.
What will Comet Tempel 2 look like?
Don’t expect a bright comet with a long tail like NEOWISE or Hale-Bopp. In binoculars or a small telescope, Tempel 2 will most likely look like a small, faint, fuzzy patch of light. Cameras may reveal more detail, including a brighter coma and possibly a short tail or dust trail.
Will Comet 10P/Tempel 2 be visible to the naked eye?
Probably not. Tempel 2 is expected to be too faint for naked-eye viewing. You’ll need binoculars, a small telescope, or a camera to see it.
What equipment do I need to see Comet 10P/Tempel 2?
Under dark skies, binoculars such as 10×50 or 15×70 may show the comet near its best dates. A small telescope of 80–100 mm will give a better chance, and larger telescopes of 150–250 mm will show the comet more reliably.
When will Comet 10P/Tempel 2 return?
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 returns to the inner Solar System in 2026. It reaches perihelion on August 2, 2026, and passes closest to Earth around August 3, 2026.
When will Comet 10P/Tempel 2 return after 2026?
Tempel 2 has an orbital period of about 5.36 years, so after its 2026 return, it should come back to perihelion again in the early 2030s.
Facts about Comet 10P/Tempel 2
- Official designation: 10P/Tempel 2
- Type: Jupiter-family periodic comet
- Orbital period: About 5.36 years
- Perihelion distance: About 1.42 AU
- Nucleus diameter: about 10 km, with published estimates ranging up to roughly 12 km
- Discovered: July 4, 1873
- Discovered by: Wilhelm Tempel
- Rotation period: about 8.95 hours
- 2026 perihelion: August 2, 2026
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 is a periodic comet. If you want a quick refresher on comet types, tails, and orbits, read our guide to what comets are.
Why is it called Comet 10P/Tempel 2?
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 is named after its discoverer, German astronomer Ernst Wilhelm Tempel, who first spotted it on July 4, 1873. The “P” means it is a periodic comet, returning to the inner Solar System again and again, and “10” shows that it was the 10th periodic comet to receive an official number. The “2” helps distinguish it from another periodic comet discovered by Tempel.
Comet 10P/Tempel 2’s orbit
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 has an orbital period of about 5.36 years. Its perihelion distance is about 1.42 AU, which means it does not come as close to the Sun as some brighter comets do. This is one reason why it is not expected to become a spectacular naked-eye object in 2026.
Its orbit is controlled strongly by Jupiter, like many other short-period comets. These objects are valuable to astronomers because they return often and can be studied across many passages near the Sun.
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in 2026: Bottom line
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 returns in mid-2026, reaching perihelion on August 2 and passing closest to Earth around August 3. It may brighten to about mag 8–10, so don’t expect a naked-eye comet — this is mainly a target for large binoculars, small telescopes, and cameras under dark skies.
For the Northern Hemisphere, the best practical window is July, before the comet becomes too low above the southern horizon. For the Southern Hemisphere, early August should offer a better view around peak brightness. Use Star Walk 2 to check the comet’s exact position for your location.
When to see the next bright comet?
Tempel 2 is one of the comet highlights of 2026, but it won’t be the last one worth watching. Comets are notoriously unpredictable: even careful brightness forecasts can change as a comet approaches the Sun. For the latest observing prospects, see our regularly updated guide to upcoming comets visible from Earth, where we track the most promising comet targets, their expected peak brightness, and the best dates to look for them.
Next comet we’re waiting for: 2P/Encke
After Tempel 2, the next notable comet we’re especially watching is 2P/Encke, returning in 2027. It probably won’t become a dramatic naked-eye comet, but compared with many faint future comets, Encke is definitely one to mark on the calendar. We cover its next appearance in detail in our guide to Comet Encke’s 2027 return.
