Astrophotographer Josh Dury recently captured a breathtaking view of Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) glowing in the Somerset sky over the U.K. His stunning image showcases the bright green coma and long tail of the comet, which appeared as night fell on October 12.
Comet Lemmon is fascinating for several reasons. Its tail is a result of sublimation. When the comet approaches the sun, its icy materials heat up and transform directly into gas. This creates a cloud of debris that the solar wind blows away, making the tail point away from the sun.
Dury faced tough weather conditions while trying to photograph the comet. Strong winds and haze made capturing a clear shot challenging. He used a Sony A7S III camera paired with a Sigma 135mm F/1.4 Art lens. Despite these difficulties, Dury managed to get a stunning photo just as an aurora glowed near the horizon. In his words, “The weather was definitely the bigger challenge this time.”
Currently, Comet Lemmon has a brightness of around +4.9, which allows it to be seen with the naked eye from dark locations. It is expected to brighten further as it approaches Earth on October 21. Unfortunately, after this close encounter, the comet will not return for over a thousand years, traveling far beyond the orbit of Neptune during that time.
For those keen on photographing Comet Lemmon, Dury’s book, 52 Assignments: Night Photography, offers helpful tips on capturing celestial events. Various astronomy communities on social media are buzzing with excitement about the comet, with many users sharing their own photographs and updates on its visibility.
In summary, Comet Lemmon is not just a beautiful sight but a reminder of the wonders of our universe. As communities come together to share their experiences, it becomes clear that even challenging weather conditions can’t dampen the joy of stargazing. Keep an eye on the skies—you won’t want to miss this fleeting visitor!
