- G15 minutes (15 frames)
- B15 minutes (15 frames)
- R15 minutes (15 frames)
- L15 minutes (15 frames)
Comet C/2020 R4 (ATLAS) was discovered by astronomers on September 13, 2020 as part of the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) project. This project aims to find potentially hazardous objects that could collide with Earth.
C/2020 R4 has a highly elliptical orbit and an orbital period of about 6,000 years. Its orbit crosses the orbits of several planets, including Mars and Jupiter. At the time of discovery, the comet was approximately 2.7 astronomical units from the Sun.
Despite its distant orbit, C/2020 R4 attracted the interest of astronomers because of its potential bright aurora. Comets become noticeable when they approach the Sun and begin to evaporate, forming a bright coma and tail. C/2020 R4 was expected to become bright enough to be visible even to the naked eye.
Spectral analyses showed that C/2020 R4 consists of typical cometary components, including water, methane, and ammonia. These elements provide important information about the comet's composition and origin.
Observations of C/2020 R4 made it possible to study its behavior and dynamics of approach to the Sun. Astronomers studied its rotation rate, characteristics of the nucleus, and the structure of the tail. These data help to better understand the nature of comets and their impact on the solar system.
The discovery and study of comet C/2020 R4 (ATLAS) significantly contributes to the study of cometary composition, their behavior, and interactions with the solar system. It remains a valuable object for further observation and scientific analysis.
Visibility chart of Comet C/2020 R4 (ATLAS) during the day
| Date | Moon Phase | Exposure | CCD Temperature | Gain | Offset | Filter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- 2023ixf•
- 40 Eri•
- Abell 74•
- Artemis A868 SA•
- a Canis Minoris•
- C 2020 R4 ATLAS•
- C 2020 T2 Palomar•
- C 2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)•
- Haumea (2003 EL61)•
- HCG 68•
- HCG 92•
- IC 1318B•
- IC 1396•
- IC 1795•
- IC 1805•
- IC 1848•
- IC 1871•
- IC 3322A•
- IC 342•
- IC 4015•
- IC 405•
- IC 417•
- IC 434•
- IC 443•
- IC 4703•
- IC 5070•
- IC 5146•
- IC 63•
- M 1•
- M 101•
- M 103•
- M 109•
- M 13•
- M 15•
- M 27•
- M 3•
- M 33•
- M 42•
- M 45•
- M 5•
- M 51•
- M 57•
- M 63•
- M 64•
- M 74•
- M 76•
- M 81•
- M 82•
- M 86•
- M 87•
- M 94•
- M 97•
- NGC 147•
- NGC 1491•
- NGC 1499•
- NGC 1579•
- NGC 1961•
- NGC 2146•
- NGC 2239•
- NGC 2403•
- NGC 281•
- NGC 4236•
- NGC 4565•
- NGC 4631•
- NGC 507•
- NGC 508•
- NGC 5866•
- NGC 5907•
- NGC 6503•
- NGC 6823•
- NGC 6888•
- NGC 6946•
- NGC 6992•
- NGC 6995•
- NGC 7000•
- NGC 7023•
- NGC 7129•
- NGC 7217•
- NGC 7331•
- NGC 7380•
- NGC 7538•
- NGC 7635•
- NGC 7640•
- NGC 7822•
- NGC 891•
- NGC 896•
- NGC 925•
- PGC 54559•
- Sh2-155•
- Sh2-168•
- Sh2 103•
- Sh2 109•
- Sh2 132•
- T CrB•
- UGC 6930•
- V1405 Cas•
- Vesta A807 FA•