What Comet Is Visible Now? Best Comets to Watch in 2026
Looking for the next comet visible from Earth? In this article, we’ve gathered the most promising comets of 2026, with their visibility dates, expected brightness, and observing tips. For real-time comet tracking and visibility forecasts tailored to your location, use the free Sky Tonight app.
Contents
- Next comets visible from Earth in 2026
- Comet in September – December 2026: 161P/Hartley–IRAS
- Comet in December 2026 – February 2027: 2P/Encke
- How to find a comet using Sky Tonight?
- Next comet visible from Earth: Bottom line
Next comets visible from Earth in 2026
These comets are listed by when they’re actually visible from Earth, not by their perihelion or closest‐approach dates (some aren’t observable at those moments), so refer to each comet’s visibility window highlighted in the title.
Comet in September – December 2026: 161P/Hartley–IRAS
- Perihelion: November 27, 2026 (mag 13.4)
- Closest approach to Earth: October 2, 2026 (mag 11.3)
- Where to observe: Both hemispheres
Will 161P/Hartley–IRAS be visible from Earth?
From September through late December 2026, Comet 161P/Hartley–IRAS will be on view in the evening sky. Observers in both hemispheres will have a chance to spot it, with the Southern Hemisphere getting the better view before perihelion and the Northern Hemisphere taking over afterward. The comet is expected to shine at around magnitude 10 to 14, so a telescope will be the best way to see it.
When was 161P/Hartley–IRAS discovered?
161P/Hartley–IRAS was discovered on November 4, 1983, using data from the IRAS infrared satellite and identified by Malcolm Hartley, which is reflected in its name. With an orbital period of about 21 years, 161P/Hartley–IRAS belongs to the Halley-type comets.
Comet in December 2026 – February 2027: 2P/Encke
- Perihelion: February 10, 2027 (mag 5.9)
- Closest approach to Earth: February 3, 2027 (mag 6.2)
- Where to observe: Both hemispheres
Will 2P/Encke be visible from Earth?
Beginning in December 2026, 2P/Encke will steadily brighten, reaching its peak from late January to mid-February 2027. At its brightest, the comet may approach magnitude 6, making it a good binocular target, while a telescope will provide a better view at other times.
In both hemispheres, 2P/Encke will be visible in the evening sky from early December, appearing fairly high above the horizon at first. By early February, however, it will sink lower in the evening twilight. After that, observers in the Northern Hemisphere will find it lost in the Sun’s glare, while in the Southern Hemisphere it may briefly reappear in the morning sky around mid-February.
Want to know when and where to look for Encke? See our full observing guide to Comet 2P/Encke, with visibility details, tracking tips, and updates on the comet’s current status.
When was 2P/Encke discovered?
2P/Encke was first discovered on January 17, 1786, by the French astronomer Pierre Méchain. In 1819, Johann Franz Encke demonstrated that several earlier comet sightings were in fact returns of the same object, which is why the comet now bears his name. Orbiting the Sun once every 3.3 years, 2P/Encke has the shortest orbital period among well-observed comets.
How to find a comet using Sky Tonight?
Comets are faint and fuzzy objects that are hard to detect, so it’s best to know their location for certain. The Sky Tonight app will help you quickly find any bright comet in the sky. Here’s what you need to do:
- Tap the magnifier icon at the lower part of the screen;
- In the Search field, enter the comet’s name or designation;
- Find the comet in the search results and tap the blue target icon next to its name;
- The app will show the comet’s current location in the sky;
- Point your device at the sky and follow the white arrow to find the comet.
You can also tap the comet’s name in the search results and then go to the Events tab to view the events related to the comet: perihelion and closest approach to Earth. Tap the blue target icon next to the event to see the comet’s location at the time of perihelion or closest approach.
Next comet visible from Earth: Bottom line
That’s it for the most promising comets to watch in 2026. Comet brightness can change quickly, so check the latest visibility forecasts before planning your observations. Use Sky Tonight to find comets in the sky and see when they are best placed for your location.
Stay tuned for the latest comet updates! While we’re waiting for a bright comet to appear, let’s brush up on some astronomy basics in an easy, visual way. Learn how comets differ from meteors and asteroids with our All You Need to Know About Comets infographic.
While working on this article, we used data from the following sources:
- Comet Observation database;
- TheSkyLive;
- Astronomer Gideon van Buitenen;
- Astronomer Seiichi Yoshida.
