Comet 10P/Tempel 2 to Near Earth in August 2026, Viewable in South America

Comet 10P/Tempel 2 will make its closest approach to Earth on 3–4 August 2026, passing at about 62 million kilometres (0.414 AU, roughly 166 lunar distances). The encounter is safe and offers a chance for scientific observation of the Jupiter‑family comet, which orbits the Sun every 5.36 years and was discovered in 1873 by German astronomer Wilhelm Tempel.

The comet will be observable from both hemispheres, with optimal viewing conditions in South America, including Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina. Its apparent magnitude will be between 6 and 8, requiring binoculars or a small telescope; it will not be visible to the naked eye. Observers are advised to look after twilight in a dark sky, using star charts to locate the comet in the region of Capricornus.