Closest to Sun: 2026 March 18 at 1.35 AU
Closest to Earth: 2026 October 10 at 1.50 AU
Maximum magnitude 9.5 in March 2026
88P Howell at its previous return in October 2020
88P is one of the more active of the short period (Jupiter family) comets.
With an orbital period of 5.5 years, it arrives at perihelion on 2026 March 18 at 1.35 AU.
It is expected to peak at magnitude 9.5 at this time, but conditions are not very favourable. It will be a morning object located low in the East at the start of dawn. Its closest approach to the Earth will occur on October 10. 2026 at a distance of 1.50 AU.
During March 2026, it can be found in Capricornus, trekking slowly eastwards. Moonlight interferes during the first couple of weeks. The first dark sky opportunity occurs on the morning of the 17th, when it locates a degree south of Iota Cap.
On March 23-24, it locates within a degree of Delta Cap.
By March 29-30, it locates within a degree south of Iota Aquarii.
During April 2026, the comet will appear in the constellation of Aquarius as it gradually moves eastwards. For the first two weeks, moonlight may make viewing difficult. By April 15, the comet, now at magnitude 10, will be positioned southeast of Lambda Aquarii.
On the morning of April 21, it lies 40’ to the northwest of magnitude 11.5 spiral galaxy NGC 7606.
During May 2026, the comet will keep moving northeast across the constellations Aquarius, Pisces, and Cetus. Its brightness is expected to hold steady at around magnitude 10.5 as the comet moves farther from the Sun but gradually draws closer to the Earth. Its intrinsic brightness typically increases following its closest approach to the Sun.
On the morning of May 13, the comet is positioned roughly two degrees southeast of Neptune. Although the Moon will be close by on that day, observing the comet will be better during the two weeks following.
On May 24, it can be found about a degree to the South of Saturn.
On May 31, it can be found about a degree northwest of magnitude 10 local group Galaxy IC 1613 in Cetus.