On October 12, 2025, two green comets, Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and SWAN (C/2025 R2), began to capture attention in the night sky. Comet Lemmon, the brighter of the two, will be more visible in the evening, low in the northwest after sunset. Comet SWAN follows suit, appearing in the southwestern sky near the star Sabik. As the nights go on, they will be easier to spot with binoculars, especially as light from the waning gibbous moon fades.
Excitingly, they are set to reach their peak brightness around October 20-21. This coincides with a new moon and the Orionid meteor shower, offering an extraordinary chance for skywatchers. Both comets will remain visible for now, with observers needing binoculars to catch a glimpse.
For a successful viewing experience, aim for about 90 minutes after sunset. From locations with minimal light pollution, such as rural areas, the comets will shine more brightly. Those using 8×42 or 10×50 binoculars will enjoy the best views, seeing the comets as small, fuzzy spots in the sky. The finder charts available at In-The-Sky.com can help guide your search.
Experts suggest that this is a great time to engage in astronomy, especially with two comets visible at once. Data from the Comet Observation database indicates Comet Lemmon shines at magnitude +5.7, while Comet SWAN is a bit dimmer at +6. By comparison, both comets are brighter than the typical stars you can see without optical aids.
Using the right tools can enhance your viewing adventure. A simple setup with a smartphone can yield good results; placing it in night mode can help capture longer exposures. For those using a DSLR, settings like ISO 800–1600 and a shutter speed of 2–5 seconds are advisable. Even if the comets don’t appear very bright to the naked eye, photographs may surprise you by revealing more detail.
Comet Lemmon will be positioned below the Big Dipper after sunset, around 7 degrees above the horizon in New York, making it easier to find. Before dawn, you can look to the northeast to see it rising near the bright star Alioth. Comet SWAN will be visible beneath Sabik, standing about 19 degrees high. This positioning varies based on location, but binoculars will help in both cases.
This is a unique occurrence; both comets are the first visible since Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS in October 2024. Engaging with these celestial events can spark conversation among friends and foster a greater interest in astronomy. Social media trends show that people are excitedly sharing their experiences while skywatching, making it a beautiful community experience. So, grab those binoculars and head out; the cosmos awaits!
For more information about viewing comets and to stay updated on the night sky, check out these resources:
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