Don’t Miss Tonight’s Star Show: Your Ultimate Guide to Spotting Comet Lemmon and Comet SWAN – Visibility Times, Tips, and Best Viewing Locations!

In a fascinating cosmic event, stargazers can look forward to seeing two rare comets, Lemmon and SWAN, becoming visible starting tonight, October 20, 2025. This spectacle coincides with the peak of the Orionid meteor shower, making it a perfect time for skywatching.

Both comets are making a close pass to Earth. Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) will come within about 56 million miles, while Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2) will be even closer at around 24 million miles. According to Space.com, both should brighten significantly between October 20 and 21.

If you’re in New Jersey, the weather looks promising. Clear skies are expected tonight as clouds and showers fade before sunset, thanks to some gusty winds that will help clear the atmosphere.

Spotting the Comets

Comet Lemmon is set to shine brightly tonight. It was first spotted in January 2025 by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona. With a brightness level of +6, it might be visible without binoculars on clear nights. Its best visibility, however, will be around Halloween, between October 31 and November 2.

Comet SWAN, discovered in September 2025, is slightly dimmer with a brightness of around +5.6. It’s best viewed in the Southern Hemisphere, which may make it more challenging to spot for those further north.

To observe Comet Lemmon, head outside about 90 minutes after sunset. Look to the northwest sky near bright stars like Arcturus. For SWAN, the view will be in the southwest, so keep an eye on that part of the sky right after sunset before it sets on the horizon.

Historical Context

Comet Lemmon won’t pass this close to Earth again for about 1,150 years, making this a rare occasion for spectators. By contrast, many people have experienced Halley’s Comet in their lifetimes, but it hasn’t appeared since 1986. Its next appearance is expected around July 28, 2061. This highlights the uniqueness of the current comet sightings.

What’s Buzzing on Social Media?

As excitement builds around these celestial events, social media platforms are ablaze with posts using hashtags like #CometLemmon and #CometSWAN. Enthusiastic astronomers and casual stargazers alike are sharing tips on how best to view the comets, enhancing community engagement. Many users have already started sharing slivers of advice about ideal viewing conditions and tools, like using stargazing apps to locate these comets in the night sky.

For more details on how to watch the comets, check out insightful resources from NASA and Space.com.

Stargazing can be an amazing experience. So step outside, enjoy the night sky, and don’t miss this rare chance to spot two comets!

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