Today, two comets, C/2025 A6 Lemmon and C/2025 R2 SWAN, will make their closest approach to Earth, providing a unique opportunity for live observation. This event will be broadcasted online starting at 1:30 PM EDT (1730 GMT) through a special livestream hosted by astronomer Gianluca Masi and his Virtual Telescope Project.
In an email to Space.com, Masi expressed excitement about the event, noting, “So far, living in the Northern Hemisphere, I could admire C/2025 A6 Lemmon only, but C/2025 R2 SWAN is quickly joining the show and we are ready to amaze every astronomy lover with our live feed!”
Observing two comets simultaneously is a rare cosmic event. During their closest approach, Comet Lemmon will be approximately 56 million miles (90 million kilometers) away from Earth, while Comet SWAN will be even closer at about 24 million miles (39 million kilometers). Both comets are anticipated to reach their peak brightness between October 20 and October 21.
Discovered in January 2025, Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon has been steadily brightening as it travels through the inner solar system. It can be seen in the western evening sky after sunset with binoculars or small telescopes, progressively becoming higher in the sky each night as it moves northward.
For those interested in observing Comet SWAN, it was discovered in September 2025 by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory”s SWAN instrument. It is best viewed during the early morning hours when it appears low on the eastern horizon as it continues its path away from the sun.
If you wish to catch a glimpse of these comets yourself, consider checking out guides for the best binoculars and telescopes for beginners, as well as tips on photographing comets. Additionally, explore our night sky guide for more celestial highlights this month.
As a reminder, if you take any photos of Comet Lemmon or Comet SWAN, feel free to share them with Space.com by sending your images and comments to [email protected].
