The blue comet C / 2016 R2, located near the Earth (~ 315 million km, January 08, 2018) and emitting a huge amount of carbon monoxide. Previous visit to the solar system ~ 20.1 thousand years ago.
It is visible in the constellation of Taurus only with the help of a powerful telescope. At this moment, time is moving away from the Earth and will reach the closest rapprochement with the Sun on May 9, 2018.
The peak brightness of the comet falls on January 2018 – at this time the comet will be high enough above the horizon. The comet will be visible throughout the night, except in the morning hours. From December to March, when the comet is brighter than 11.5 magnitude, C / 2016 R2 (PANSTARRS) will travel through the constellations of Orion, Taurus and Perseus.
The perihelion point C / 2016 R2 (PANSTARRS) should pass on May 9 at a distance of 2.6 AU. At the minimum distance to our planet, it will fit on December 23 – 2.05 AU.
