Mmastodon ScienceSpace first seen 6 h ago, last 6 h ago, peak #6

Comet 161P/Hartley-IRAS tracked ahead of perihelion

Original: 2026-10-01 04:00:00 UTC (Delta: 2026-09-30) ☄️161P/HARTLEY-IRAS - Barycentric speed: 32.82 km/s (+0.09 km/s) - Perihelio

Comet 161P/Hartley-IRAS is being monitored as it moves toward the inner solar system. Its barycentric speed has ticked up to 32.82 km/s, with perihelion about 57 days away. Current brightness sits around magnitude 14.2, meaning it remains a small-telescope target from dark-sky sites, currently in the constellation Aquarius and visible from both hemispheres. Amateur astronomers are following its gradual brightening as the approach continues.

Why now: The comet's steady approach to perihelion interests amateur astronomers tracking whether it will brighten further.

161P/Hartley-IRASAquarius (constellation)

Open on mastodon →

Evidence

• 2026-10-01 04:00:00 UTC (Delta: 2026-09-30) ☄️161P/HARTLEY-IRAS - Barycentric speed: 32.82 km/s (+0.09 km/s) - Perihelion in: 57 days - Brightness (Mag): 14.23 (-0.02) - Visibility: Both hemispheres | Small telescope | Dark sky - Constellation: Aquarius 🌎 Relative to Earth -… · wawn · 3

API: https://socialmediatrends-api.osmike.com/v1/trends/578775