Two Bright Comets Are Lighting Up October Skies: How to See A6 (Lemmon) and R2 (SWAN)


A Rare Double Cosmic Show in October 2025

Skywatchers have a reason to look up this October. Not one, but two comets — C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) and C/2025 R2 (SWAN) — are making appearances in the Northern Hemisphere’s skies. Both are long-period comets from the outer reaches of the solar system, and astronomers say this is a once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity.

What Exactly Is a Comet?

Comets are frozen leftovers from the early solar system — essentially giant cosmic snowballs made of rock, dust, and ice. As they approach the sun, heat causes their icy surfaces to sublimate into gas, creating the shimmering tails we see from Earth.

C/2025 R2 (SWAN): The Surprise Visitor

  • Discovery: R2 (SWAN) was spotted in September 2025 by amateur astronomer Vladimir Bezugly in Ukraine, using data from NASA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO).

  • Why It Surprised Astronomers: The comet approached from the direction of the sun, hiding in its glare until recently.

  • How to See It:

    • Best viewed in the southwestern evening sky about 45–60 minutes after sunset.

    • You’ll need binoculars or a small telescope, as it’s not yet bright enough for the naked eye.

    • Look for a faint “fuzzy ball” low on the horizon.

  • Peak Visibility: Around October 20, 2025, when it makes its closest approach to Earth.

  • Wild Card Factor: Comets are unpredictable. R2 (SWAN) could brighten dramatically — or disintegrate.

C/2025 A6 (Lemmon): The Early Riser

  • Discovery: First spotted in January 2025 by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona.

  • Where to Look:

    • Currently visible in the northeastern morning sky, several hours before dawn.

    • Just below the Big Dipper constellation.

  • October Switcheroo: By mid-to-late October, A6 (Lemmon) will transition into the western evening sky, making it easier to spot after sunset.

  • Brightness Outlook: Could become visible to the naked eye under very dark skies by late October and early November.

Can You See Both Comets at the Same Time?

Possibly! Around Halloween 2025, skywatchers may catch glimpses of both comets. However, A6 (Lemmon) will hug the horizon and may be lost in twilight, while R2 (SWAN) should remain more visible in the evening sky.

Where Do These Comets Come From?

Both A6 (Lemmon) and R2 (SWAN) originated in the Oort Cloud, a vast shell of icy bodies at the solar system’s edge. These comets were likely nudged inward by passing stars or galactic tides, offering astronomers rare insights into the early solar system.

  • A6 (Lemmon): Orbits the sun every ~1,359 years.

  • R2 (SWAN): Completes an orbit roughly every 619 years.

Why This Matters

For scientists, such comets are time capsules from the dawn of our solar system, containing pristine material billions of years old. For stargazers, it’s a chance to witness cosmic history in real time — a celestial event that won’t repeat for centuries.

Quick Viewing Tips

✔ Find a dark location with minimal light pollution
✔ Bring binoculars or a telescope for the best view
✔ Use a long-exposure setting on your smartphone camera to capture the comets
✔ Mark your calendar for October 20, 2025 for R2 (SWAN)’s closest approach

Final Thoughts

This October, the night sky is offering a rare treat. Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast or a casual stargazer, spotting Comet A6 (Lemmon) or Comet R2 (SWAN) will be an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss this chance to witness a piece of the solar system’s ancient past as it streaks across the heavens.

Stay ahead with today’s trending stories — get full coverage and insights.

Discover More Trending Topics

Popular posts from this blog

How to See Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) & Comet Lemmon in the October 2025 Sky

Image
Introduction October 2025 brings a rare celestial treat: two comets — Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) and Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) —may be visible in the night sky. Skywatchers across the world are already preparing binoculars, telescopes, and dark-sky plans. From Space.com: Comet SWAN can be found in the evening sky throughout October. Space From WIRED: Comet Lemmon will reach its closest approach to Earth around October 21, making it brighter and potentially visible to the naked eye. WIRED Let’s dive into details—when and where to look, how bright they might get, and how to photograph them. Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) — What to Expect Discovery & Orbit Comet SWAN was discovered using images from the Solar Wind Anisotropies (SWAN) instrument aboard the SOHO spacecraft. Star Walk +3 Live Science +3 Planetary Society +3 The comet reached perihelion (its closest point to the Sun) on September 12, 2025. Space +3 Star Walk +3 EarthSky +3 Its closest approach to Earth is expected on Octobe...
Read more

Samsung Rolls Out One UI 8 (Wear OS 6) to Galaxy Watch 7 in the U.S.

Image
  Devices affected: Galaxy Watch 7 (40 mm & 44 mm, LTE and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi ) Firmware versions (U.S.): L305USQU1BYI4 / L315USQU1BYI4 Droid Life Regions beyond U.S.: Rolling out gradually, starting in Korea and expected to expand globally 9to5Google What’s New in One UI 8 for Galaxy Watch 7 The One UI 8 update for the Galaxy Watch 7 is built on Wear OS 6 , bringing a suite of enhancements to interface, usability, and fitness features. 9to5Google +1 Key additions include: Stacking Tiles & Easier App Management — A redesigned approach to watch face tiles and widgets for quicker navigation. 9to5Google Custom Tile Creation — Users can now build and personalize their own Tiles. Droid Life Low-Light Mode on Select Watch Faces — Improved legibility in dim environments. Droid Life Running Coach — A guided running assistant built into the device. Droid Life Mood Tracking — A feature to help monitor and reflect on user emotional state over time. Droid ...
Read more