Explanation
of Comet Synopses and charts (read this if you have questions)
12P/Pons-Brooks: A
northern hemisphere evening comet visible in binoculars
This comet begins the month in Andromeda at magnitude 6.7. Look
for a 7.5' coma, condensation is a diffuse spot in coma center; moderately
condensed. It should brighten rapidly, moving into Aries by month's end. This
comet is likely going to remain small in binoculars, so we recommend a telescope
instead. Be sure to try higher magnification and inspect the nucleus for
interesting features, such as the dark notch, jets, and fountains, especially in
the days after an outburst. The most recent (small) outburst was on: February
29. FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:20 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:30 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:40 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:50 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~20:00 |
1- |
40o
N |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:20 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:20 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:30 |
1- |
Equator |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Very low in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~18:50 |
Very low in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~18:50 |
13- |
30o S |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS): A
morning comet visible in small telescopes
This comet begins the month in Serpens Cauda at magnitude 9.7.
Look for a 2' coma, diffuse condensation at center. It should fade slowly,
moving into Vulpecula by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March
2 |
Visibility March
9 |
Visibility March
16 |
Visibility March
23 |
Visibility March
30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high in the
southern sky during morning twilight at ~05:00 |
Fairly high in the
eastern sky during morning twilight at ~04:40 |
Fairly high during
morning twilight at ~04:20 |
Fairly high during
morning twilight at ~04:10 |
High during morning
twilight at ~03:40 |
1- |
40o
N |
Fairly high during
morning twilight at ~05:10 |
Fairly high during
morning twilight at ~05:00 |
High during morning
twilight at ~04:40 |
High during morning
twilight at ~04:40 |
High during morning
twilight at ~04:20 |
1- |
Equator |
High during morning
twilight at ~05:00 |
High during morning
twilight at ~05:00 |
High during morning
twilight at ~05:00 |
High during morning
twilight at ~05:00 |
High during morning
twilight at ~05:00 |
1- |
30o
S |
High during morning
twilight at ~04:40 |
Fairly high during
morning twilight at ~04:40 |
Fairly high during
morning twilight at ~04:50 |
Fairly high during
morning twilight at ~05:00 |
Fairly high during
morning twilight at ~05:00 |
1- |
13P/Olbers: An evening
comet visible in small telescopes at a dark site, or a 6-inch (15 cm) under a
country sky
This comet begins the month in Cetus at magnitude 12.9. Look for
a 40" coma, diffuse condensation at center. It should brighten rapidly,
moving into Taurus by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:20 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:40 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:50 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~20:00 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~20:20 |
1- |
40o
N |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:20 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:20 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:30 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:30 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:40 |
1- |
Equator |
High during evening twilight at
~19:20 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:20 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:10 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:10 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:10 |
1- |
30o S |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:40 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:30 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:20 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Low in the western sky during
evening twilight at ~19:00 |
1- |
C/2023 A3
(Tsuchinshan-ATLAS): An evening comet visible in small telescopes at a dark
site, or a 8-inch (15 cm) under a country sky
This comet begins the month in Libra at magnitude 12.6. Look for
a 1' coma, condensation is a diffuse spot in coma center; moderately condensed.
It should brighten by about 1.0 magnitudes, moving into Virgo by month's end.
Visibility from a country site will require an 8-inch telescope and will be at
the very end of the month, starting on the evening of March 30. Prior to that it
will be visible from dark sites in a six-inch (15 cm) telescope starting on the
evening of the 4th until the end of the month. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~04:20 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~03:50 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~03:10 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
during morning twilight at ~03:50 |
Fairly high in the southern sky
at ~02:00 |
1- |
40o
N |
High in moonlight at ~04:00 |
High at ~03:50 |
High at ~03:10 |
Fairly high during morning
twilight at ~04:40 |
High at ~00:40 |
1- |
Equator |
High in moonlight at ~04:20 |
High at ~03:50 |
High at ~03:10 |
High during morning twilight at
~05:00 |
High at ~23:00 |
1- |
30o S |
High in moonlight at ~04:20 |
High at ~03:50 |
High at ~03:10 |
High during morning twilight at
~04:50 |
High in moonlight at ~01:20 |
1- |
144P/Kushida: An evening
comet visible in an 8-inch (20 cm) telescope at a dark site, or a 10-inch (25
cm) under a country sky
This comet begins the month in Taurus at magnitude 10.7. Look
for a 3' coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It should
fade rapidly, moving into Gemini by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
High at ~19:40 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:50 |
High during evening twilight at
~20:10 |
Not visible |
High during evening twilight at
~20:30 |
1- |
40o
N |
High at ~19:30 |
High at ~19:30 |
High in moonlight at ~19:40 |
Not visible |
High during evening twilight at
~19:50 |
1- |
Equator |
High at ~19:30 |
High at ~19:30 |
High in moonlight at ~19:20 |
Not visible |
High at ~19:20 |
1- |
30o S |
High during evening twilight at
~19:50 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:40 |
High in moonlight at ~19:40 |
Not visible |
High during evening twilight at
~19:20 |
1- |
29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann:
An evening comet visible in an 18-inch (46 cm) telescope at a dark site, or a
24-inch telescope under a country sky
This comet begins the month in Cancer at magnitude 12.2. Look
for a 1.5' coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It
should fade slowly. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
High at ~21:20 |
High at ~21:00 |
High in moonlight at ~20:30 |
High during evening twilight at
~20:10 |
High during evening twilight at
~20:40 |
1- |
40o
N |
High at ~21:20 |
High at ~21:00 |
High in moonlight at ~20:40 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:30 |
High at ~20:00 |
1- |
Equator |
High at ~21:20 |
High at ~21:00 |
High in moonlight at ~21:00 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:10 |
High at ~19:30 |
1- |
30o S |
Fairly high at ~21:20 |
Fairly high at ~21:00 |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~20:50 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:20 |
Fairly high at ~19:30 |
1- |
62P/Tsuchinshan: A morning
comet visible in a 24-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Virgo at magnitude 11.4. Look for
a 4' coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It should fade
rapidly. FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
High at ~01:50 |
High at ~01:20 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-11 |
40o
N |
High at ~01:30 |
High at ~01:10 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-14 |
Equator |
High at ~00:00 |
High at ~01:20 |
High at ~00:40 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-16 |
30o S |
High in moonlight at ~01:20 |
High at ~01:20 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-13 |
C/2022 E2 (ATLAS): An
evening comet visible in an 18-inch (46 cm) telescope at a dark site, or a
24-inch telescope under a country sky
This comet begins the month in Gemini at magnitude 13.0. Look
for a 45" coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It
should fade slowly. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
High at ~20:50 |
High at ~20:10 |
High in moonlight at ~20:10 |
High during evening twilight at
~20:10 |
High during evening twilight at
~20:40 |
1- |
40o
N |
High at ~20:50 |
High at ~20:10 |
High in moonlight at ~19:50 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:30 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:50 |
1- |
Equator |
High at ~20:50 |
High at ~20:10 |
High in moonlight at ~19:40 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:10 |
High at ~19:20 |
1- |
30o S |
Fairly high at ~20:50 |
Fairly high at ~20:10 |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~19:50 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:20 |
Fairly high in the northern sky
during evening twilight at ~19:10 |
1- |
C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS): An
evening comet visible in a 24-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Orion at magnitude 13.9. Look for
a 1' , diffuse coma with definite brightening toward center. It should fade by
about 0.5 magnitudes by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:30 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-8 |
40o
N |
High during evening twilight at
~19:20 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:30 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-15 |
Equator |
High at ~19:30 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:20 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
High during evening twilight at
~19:10 |
1-15, 26- |
30o S |
High during evening twilight at
~19:50 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:40 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-15 |
207P/NEAT: An evening
comet visible in a 24-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Lepus at magnitude 14.0. Look for
a 1' coma, diffuse condensation at center. It should fade rapidly, moving into
Hydra by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
40o
N |
Fairly high at ~19:20 |
High at ~19:50 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-15 |
Equator |
High at ~19:30 |
High at ~19:50 |
High in moonlight at ~21:00 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-16 |
30o S |
High at ~19:50 |
High at ~19:50 |
High in moonlight at ~21:30 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-17 |
C/2022 L2 (ATLAS): A
southern hemisphere morning comet visible in a 24-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Centaurus at magnitude 14.3. Look
for a 60" coma, diffuse condensation at center. It should brighten slowly.
The best visibility is mid-month as seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
40o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
Equator |
High in moonlight at ~03:40 |
High at ~03:10 |
High at ~02:20 |
Fairly high in the western sky
during morning twilight at ~04:50 |
High at ~22:40 |
2-23, 28- |
30o S |
High in moonlight at ~03:50 |
High at ~03:10 |
High at ~02:20 |
High during morning twilight at
~04:50 |
High at ~21:30 |
2-23, 27- |
C/2023 P1 (Nishimura): A
southern hemisphere evening comet visible in a 24-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Vela at magnitude 14.0. Look for
a 55" coma, virtually invisible. It should fade by about 0.8 magnitudes,
moving into Puppis by month's end. The best visibility is early in the month as
seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
40o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
Equator |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
30o S |
High at ~22:00 |
High at ~21:20 |
High at ~22:00 |
Not visible |
Not visible |
1-16 |
C/2021 G2 (Atlas): A
southern hemisphere evening comet visible in a 24-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Centaurus at magnitude 14.4. Look
for a 35" coma, condensation is a diffuse spot in coma center; moderately
condensed. It should brighten slowly. The best visibility is late in the month
as seen from the southern hemisphere. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
40o
N |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
Not visible |
|
Equator |
High at ~00:00 |
High at ~01:00 |
High at ~00:30 |
High in moonlight at ~01:10 |
High at ~22:30 |
1- |
30o S |
High at ~23:00 |
High at ~01:00 |
High at ~00:30 |
Fairly high at ~04:40 |
High at ~21:30 |
1- |
32P/Comas Sola: An evening
comet visible in a 24-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Taurus at magnitude 14.3. Look
for a 25" coma, diffuse condensation at center. It should remain constant.
FINDER CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
High during evening twilight at
~19:30 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:50 |
High during evening twilight at
~20:00 |
High during evening twilight at
~20:10 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~20:30 |
1- |
40o
N |
High during evening twilight at
~19:20 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:30 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:30 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:40 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:50 |
1- |
Equator |
High during evening twilight at
~19:20 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:20 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:20 |
High during evening twilight at
~19:10 |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~19:10 |
1- |
30o S |
Fairly high in the northern sky
during evening twilight at ~19:40 |
Fairly high in the northern sky
during evening twilight at ~19:30 |
Fairly high in the northern sky
during evening twilight at ~19:20 |
Low in the northern sky during
evening twilight at ~19:10 |
Low in the northern sky during
evening twilight at ~19:00 |
1- |
103P/Hartley: An evening
comet visible in a 24-inch telescope
This comet begins the month in Monoceros at magnitude 14.4. Look
for a 25" coma, center much brighter than edges, though still diffuse. It
should fade by about 1.4 magnitudes, moving into Hydra by month's end. FINDER
CHART
Latitude |
Visibility March 2 |
Visibility March 9 |
Visibility March 16 |
Visibility March 23 |
Visibility March 30 |
Nights Visible |
55o
N |
Fairly high at ~21:20 |
Fairly high at ~20:50 |
Fairly high in moonlight at
~20:30 |
Not visible |
Fairly high during evening
twilight at ~20:40 |
1-18, 25- |
40o
N |
High at ~21:20 |
High at ~20:50 |
High in moonlight at ~20:30 |
Not visible |
High at ~20:00 |
1-18, 25- |
Equator |
High at ~21:20 |
High at ~20:50 |
High in moonlight at ~20:50 |
Not visible |
High at ~19:40 |
1-18, 25- |
30o S |
High at ~21:20 |
High at ~20:50 |
High in moonlight at ~21:30 |
Not visible |
High at ~19:40 |
1-19, 25- |