Two comets, C/2025 A4 (Lemmon) and C/2025 R2 (SWAN), are about to achieve their closest strategy to Earth and you may watch the motion unfold stay on-line.
Astronomer Gianluca Masi and his Digital Telescope Challenge will host a particular livestream on Oct. 20 starting at 1:30 p.m. EDT (1730 GMT) to look at as each comets make an in depth cross to Earth, making them nicely positioned for observations.
“To this point, dwelling within the Northern hemisphere, I might admire C/2025 A6 Lemmon solely,
however C/2025 R2 SWAN is rapidly becoming a member of the present and we’re able to amaze each
astronomy lover with our stay feed!” Masi advised Area.com in an e mail.
You may watch the cosmic present stay right here on Area.com courtesy of the Digital Telescope Challenge or on the undertaking’s web site or YouTube channel, climate allowing.
Uncommon double-comet encounter
Having two proper comets seen within the sky across the similar time is a uncommon cosmic deal with. Throughout the occasion, Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) will cross about 56 million miles (90 million kilometers) from Earth, whereas Comet Swan (C/2025 R2) will soar even nearer, at roughly 24 million miles (39 million km). Each are anticipated to peak in brightness between Oct. 20 and Oct. 21.
Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) was found in January 2025 and has been steadily brightening because it soars by means of the inside photo voltaic system. Lemmon is seen in a pair of binoculars or small telescopes within the western night sky after sundown, slowly climbing greater every night time because it strikes northward.
Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) was found in September 2025 by the Photo voltaic and Heliospheric Observatory‘s SWAN instrument. It’s best seen within the predawn sky, when the comet seems low on the jap horizon because it continues its journey away from the solar.
When you’re hoping to identify the comets your self, take a look at our guides to the finest binoculars and finest telescopes for newbies, in addition to our tips on how to {photograph} comets information. And remember to discover our night time sky information for extra celestial highlights this month.
Editor’s be aware: When you seize a photograph of Comet Lemmon or Comet SWAN and want to share it with Area.com, ship your photos and feedback to spacephotos@area.com.
