Comet Lemmon is now visible with comet SWAN after sunset while also remaining visible before dawn for Northern Hemisphere skywatchers.
and Comet SWAN — are the first comets visible in binoculars since Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS in October 2024. Both are visible after sunset on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, from the Northern Hemisphere, remaining near their brightest in the night sky.
It’s an especially good night to catch Comet Lemmon, which will sit just to the right of Izar in the constellation Boötes, above the orange star Arcturus. Comet SWAN glows directly below Altair, the uppermost star of the Summer Triangle. Comet Lemmon as imaged by Gianluca Masi at The Virtual Telescope Project .Although both Lemmon and SWAN reached their brightest on Monday, Oct. 20, when they reached their closest to Earth at 55 and 24 million miles, respectively, they are likely to remain at their brightest on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The comets are visible in the northwest and southwest about 90 minutes after sunset. Lemmon is moving quickly across the sky west of the Big Dipper, close to bright star Arcturus, while SWAN is beneath the three bright stars that comprise the Summer Triangle. The best way to find the comets is stargazing apps such as Sky Guide, Stellarium and SkySafari, or the finder charts at). You may be able to see them with the naked eye, but binoculars will be required to see their tails. Increasing moonlight will make both comets harder to see by the weekend, by which time both will have faded slightly, which makes this week the time to look. As always, comets can have a surprise outburst and brighten or a sudden disintegration and fade.The best time to spot Comet Lemmon and Comet SWAN on Wednesday, Oct. 22, is during a 30-minute window starting about 90 minutes after. Both are visible after sunset but in opposite parts of the sky — Lemmon in the northwest, SWAN in the southwest. For New York City, where sunset is at 6:02 p.m. EDT, the ideal time for evening viewing is 7:32-8:02 p.m. EDT. A 2%-lit waxing crescent moon sets early, barely even noticed, leaving a dark sky ideal for spotting the comets.Distance from Earth: 55.7 million miles After sunset on Wednesday, Oct. 22, look for Comet Lemmon immediately above bright star Arcturus, low on the northwest horizon. Luckily, there's a simple star-hop for that — just trace the stars in the Big Dipper's curved handle and go in an "arc to Arcturus." Now go a couple of degrees above Arcturus to the next bright star, Izar. Comet Lemmon will be just to the right side of Izar, about 19 degrees above the northwest horizon at 7:32 p.m. EDT. It will gradually sink as twilight deepens.Distance from Earth: 24.9 million miles Blueish-green Comet SWAN will be visible in binoculars on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, low in the southwest after sunset. SWAN will be in the constellation Aquila, above the famous "Teapot" asterism in the constellation Sagittarius, and directly below the bright star Altair in the Summer Triangle. The comet's height above the horizon will vary depending on your location, but from New York, it will be around 40 degrees up as it becomes visible. Both comets will remain visible for another few evenings, but bright moonlight will quickly begin to wash them out by the weekend.every day this month for a daily “comet tracker” with finder charts and tips for viewing Comet Lemmon and Comet SWAN from mid-northern latitudes. Also read
C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) C/2025 R2 (SWAN) Comet SWAN Where Is The Comet October 2025 Comets Green Comets Comet Of The Year Comet Tonight Where To See The Comet
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Comet Tracker For Monday: See Bright Comets As Meteor Shower PeaksComet Lemmon is now visible with comet SWAN after sunset while also remaining visible before dawn for Northern Hemisphere skywatchers.
Read more »
Complete Guide To Seeing ‘Shooting Stars’ From Halley’s Comet On MondayThe Orionid meteor shower peaks Oct. 21-22 with up to 20 meteors per hour. Comet Lemmon and Comet SWAN R2 may also glow green after sunset, making this a rare skywatch.
Read more »
Double Comet and Meteor Shower Set to Illuminate October 2025 SkiesOctober 2025 promises a spectacular display for skywatchers with the peak of the Orionid meteor shower alongside the potential visibility of two bright comets, Lemmon and SWAN, under a moonless night sky.
Read more »
Comet Lemmon to Brighten, Potentially Visible to Naked EyeComet Lemmon, currently visible with binoculars, is predicted to become significantly brighter and potentially visible to the naked eye as it approaches Earth and the sun, reaching its closest points in late October and early November 2025. Its greenish tint is due to diatomic carbon interacting with sunlight. The article also provides guidance on how to locate the comet.
Read more »
Comet Lemmon: A Green-Tinted Visitor Visible in 2025Comet Lemmon, known for its green hue, is set to become brighter and potentially visible to the naked eye in late 2025. This article details its expected path, viewing conditions, and the scientific significance of observing such a celestial body, offering insights into the early solar system's formation.
Read more »
Last Chance Tuesday: See Comet At Its Best For 1,150 Years With MeteorsComet Lemmon is now visible with comet SWAN after sunset while also remaining visible before dawn for Northern Hemisphere skywatchers.
Read more »