Comet 10P/Tempel 2 is now visible in the south as soon as it gets dark from anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, but only through binoculars and telescopes.
Comet 10P/Tempel (also called Tempel 2) is making its latest pass through the inner solar system, offering a rare opportunity to observe one of the most unusual features ever seen on a comet.
What Is Comet 10P/Tempel 2?
First discovered on July 4, 1873, comet 10P/Tempel 2 is thought to be 6.6 miles (10.6 km) in diameter — about the same size as Halley’s Comet.
The location of Comet 10P/Tempel 2 after dark on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 is now visible in the south as soon as it gets dark from anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, but only through binoculars and telescopes. (image shows Comet Nishimura C/2023 P1) getty
Have you seen the summer comet? Comet 10P/Tempel (also called Tempel 2) is making its latest pass through the inner solar system, offering a rare opportunity to observe one of the most unusual features ever seen on a comet. For skywatchers, it’s a chance to witness a stream of debris left behind over centuries of journeys around the sun.
What Is Comet 10P/Tempel 2? First discovered on July 4, 1873, comet 10P/Tempel 2 is thought to be 6.6 miles (10.6 km) in diameter — about the same size as Halley’s Comet. It completes one orbit of the sun every 5.4 years and is currently visible through binoculars or small telescopes in the constellation Capricornus. It will reach perihelion — its closest point to the sun — on Aug. 2, before making its closest approach to Earth on Aug. 3, so it will be visible for a number of weeks. The location of Comet 10P/Tempel 2 after dark on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Stellarium
Where And When To See Comet 10P/Tempel 2 According to NASA, Tempel 2 won’t become a bright naked-eye object, but it is within reach of binoculars or a small telescope. The space agency recommends observing from a dark location away from city lights. Look for a faint, fuzzy glow and, under good conditions, a short, broad, fan-shaped tail. It will in the constellation Capricornus, visible from around 45 to 60 minutes after the sky becomes fully dark. Binoculars or a small telescope will be required. However, the ancient dust trail will require long-exposure astrophotography to capture it.
