Comet SWAN was one of two comets visible during October 2025, along with Comet Lemmon, which was brighter and received more attention. But they were both visible with binoculars and good targets for even small telescopes.

Comet SWAN was discovered on September 11 in an image taken by the earth-orbiting Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). On September 12 reached perihelion (closest approach to the Sun). It made its closest approach to Earth on October 20, one day after this picture was taken. It was then about magnitude 6. Many observers noted its pronounced blue-green color.

The comet has a short tail pointing to the right that is hard to see in this image. It shows up better in the image below, with the brightness and contrast stretched.

Image details: 5 exposures of 15 seconds each, taken with a ZWO ASI2600MC Pro imager and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/5.6.

October 19, 2025

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