2023kf3 20230906 ahale

An image (5-minute exposure) of 2010 YK3 = 2023 KF3 taken last night (September 6.19 UT) at LCO-McDonald. Approximate dimensions are 8x8 arcminutes, standard orientation (north up, east left). Astrometrica gives a magnitude of 16.4, but this is just of the central condensation; I would estimate the total brightness as being perhaps a magnitude brighter.

The comet has recently gone through opposition and is closest to Earth next week. However, it is still 3 1/2 months away from perihelion passage, and if it keeps developing as it has been, it might become bright enough for visual observations.