Mmastodon ScienceSpace first seen 18 h ago, last 15 h ago, peak #4

Comet 161P/Hartley-IRAS Nearing Perihelion

Original: 2026-10-02 04:00:00 UTC (Delta: 2026-10-01) ☄️161P/HARTLEY-IRAS - Barycentric speed: 32.91 km/s (+0.09 km/s) - Perihelio

Periodic comet 161P/Hartley-IRAS is being tracked as it approaches the inner solar system. Latest figures put its barycentric speed at 32.91 km/s, with perihelion due in about 56 days, in late November 2026. The comet currently sits at magnitude 14.33, observable from both hemispheres with a small telescope under dark skies, in the constellation Aquarius. Amateur astronomers are sharing observations and brightness updates as the comet slowly brightens on its way to perihelion.

Why now: Skywatchers are tracking the comet's gradual brightening ahead of its perihelion passage in two months.

161P/Hartley-IRAS

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Rank over time, top of the chart is #1. 3 snapshots from 18 h ago to 15 h ago.

Evidence

• 2026-10-02 04:00:00 UTC (Delta: 2026-10-01) ☄️161P/HARTLEY-IRAS - Barycentric speed: 32.91 km/s (+0.09 km/s) - Perihelion in: 56 days - Brightness (Mag): 14.33 (-0.01) - Visibility: Both hemispheres | Small telescope | Dark sky - Constellation: Aquarius 🌎 Relative to Earth -… · wawn · 2

API: https://socialmediatrends-api.osmike.com/v1/trends/693099