Observation details: comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
Daily motion of 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
90000324 21P/Giacobini-Zinner will become visible again around November 12 after moving far enough from the Sun.
21P/Giacobini-Zinner visibility on 2026-10-03
21P/Giacobini-Zinner Visible from morning twilight until sunrise
21P/Giacobini-Zinner rise and set timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner transit | 09:23 | 43° |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner set | 14:53 | |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 18:15 | -40° |
Moonrise, 56.5% illuminated  | 21:14 | -62° |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:38 | -2° |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner rise | 03:50 | |
| Twilight end (−12°) | 04:08 | 4° |
| Civil sunrise | 04:39 | 10° |
| Sunrise | 05:06 | 15° |
| Moonset | 12:53 | 21° |
Track 21P/Giacobini-Zinner position throughout the night
← 3 October 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe 21P/Giacobini-Zinner changing position in the night sky.
21P/Giacobini-Zinner Description
This comet is designated 90000324 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, Encke-type comet. 21P/Giacobini-Zinner completes an orbit around the Sun in 6.6 years. It is currently 5.61 AU (839,259,014 km) from Earth, and is located in the constellation Crater.Current position in the Solar System: 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
| Date | Sat, 3 October 2026 |
| Distance from Earth | 5.6101 AU (839,259,014km) |
| Elongation | 24° |
| Angular diameter | " |
| Magnitude | 22.5 |
Finder Chart for
Annual motion of 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
| Date | Sun, 4 October 2026 |
| Twilight start | 18:13 |
| Twilight end | 03:36 |
| Twilight duration | 9h 23m |
| Rise | 03:50 |
| Set | 14:49 |
| Elevation at transit | 43° |
| Transit time | 09:19 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 11h 01m 57s", Dec: -9° 28' 01s |
| Magnitude | 23 |
| Constellation | Crater |
The graph summarizes the object’s annual visibility, daily observing windows and transit times.
The vertical axis shows time of day and the horizontal axis shows the days of the year.
The shaded area marks when the object is above the horizon; the white line marks daily transit. You can also view the detailed annual visibility table.
The vertical axis shows time of day and the horizontal axis shows the days of the year.
The shaded area marks when the object is above the horizon; the white line marks daily transit. You can also view the detailed annual visibility table.
Astrometric and Physical Parameters of 90000324 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
Coordinates and Visibility
| Right Ascension | 11h 01m 12s |
| Declination | -9° 23′ 28″ |
| Magnitude | 22.5 |
| Constellation | Crater |
| Elevation | -59.8° |
| Azimuth | 334.6° |
Acknowledgments
Orbital and small-body data are provided by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Small-Body Database (SBDB) and Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). These resources support accurate positions, orbits and physical characteristics.