Halloween 2025 is exciting because we have three comets visiting our night sky: Comet Lemmon, Comet SWAN, and the interstellar traveler 3I/ATLAS. However, not all of them will be easy to see.
Comets are fascinating. They carry ancient materials from the solar system’s birth. When a comet gets close to the sun, heat causes icy substances to vaporize, forming a glowing shell. This shell, combined with solar wind, gives the comet its striking tail.
Let’s start with Comet Lemmon. This comet has become brighter recently, with a magnitude of around +4.2. This brightness makes it possible to see it with the naked eye, especially from dark places. To get a better view, binoculars or a small telescope can help you spot its tail and central glow, known as the coma.
On Halloween night, look for Comet Lemmon in the western sky, nestled among the stars of the Ophiuchus constellation. To find it, locate stars Kappa Ophiuchi and Epsilon Ophiuchi, and Comet Lemmon should appear between them.
Now, about the interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS. Discovered in July 2025, this comet has captured a lot of attention. It’s the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system. Scientists are closely studying it using telescopes to gather data while they can, as it will quickly exit our view.
However, here’s the catch: Comet 3I/ATLAS is not easy to see. Its current magnitude is around +11, which means it’s far too dim for naked-eye viewing. It made its closest approach to the sun on October 30, but it remains hidden behind sunlight, making Halloween an unideal time for stargazing.
Finally, there’s Comet SWAN. Discovered in September 2025 by an amateur astronomer, it initially drew interest for its beautiful tail. However, its brightness is fading, with a current magnitude of +7.2. It might be hard to spot with just your eyes, so binoculars or a small telescope are essential.
To find Comet SWAN on Halloween, look towards the southern horizon after sunset. Locate the bright stars Sadalmelik and Sadalsuud in the constellation Aquarius, then search for Comet SWAN in the space between these stars.
With these cosmic visitors, Halloween 2025 could be a treat for stargazers. Remember, Comet SWAN won’t return for another 1,400 years, so it’s a good time to catch it!
