October 23, 2025

Get ready, stargazers! This festival of lights brings a unique cosmic treat as two rare comets dazzle the skies over India and the whole world. Meet the icy visitors: C/2025 R2 (SWAN) and C/2025 A6 (Lemmon). Right now, these sparkling balls of ice and dust can be spotted through binoculars from dark, clear skies. The Times of India caught these beautiful comets on camera along a trekking path in Dayara Bugyal near Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. These are among the first wide-angle images taken from India! Both comets have shining tails, but comet Lemmon’s tail is particularly eye-catching right now. Here's a cosmic twist: SWAN won’t swing by our solar system again for about 20,000 years! And if you don’t see Lemmon this time, you might have to wait until 3175 for another glimpse. It’s a rare double feature as two big comets light up the sky together – a real treat for everyone who loves the stars! SWAN made its closest flyby to Earth on Monday, and Lemmon did the same on Tuesday. But will these cosmic snowballs shine bright enough for your naked eyes? Experts say Lemmon might still get brighter. Currently, Lemmon is brighter with a magnitude of 4.5, which means, in theory, you could see it without help. But usually, you’ll need binoculars or a telescope for the best views. Cameras set for long exposure can capture their magic too. Don’t miss the show! The best time to watch is about an hour after sunset, around 7 pm. Look northwest for Lemmon near the Bootes constellation, near the 'handle' of the Big Dipper (Saptrishi). Lemmon will dip below the horizon by 7:45 pm. SWAN is a bit higher up, hanging above the teapot shape of the Sagittarius constellation in the south. Remember when comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) wowed us all with naked-eye views in 2020? If Lemmon brightens more, it might become the next big naked-eye comet! So, keep your eyes glued to the twilight skies these next few evenings. Who knows? You might just catch a sparkling show that happens once in thousands of years!

Read More at Timesofindia →

Tags: Comets, India, Astronomy, Swan, Lemmon, Skywatching,