Where Is Comet SWAN Right Now?
On October 20, Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN will make its closest approach to Earth – and the timing couldn’t be better! It’ll appear alongside bright Orionid meteors, near Comet Lemmon, and under a perfectly dark, moonless sky. Don’t miss this rare celestial spectacle! Track the comet’s path in real time with the free Sky Tonight app – just type its name in the app’s search bar. Keep reading to learn more about this spectacular visitor from the outer Solar System!
Contents
- Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN: General Info
- Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN Right Now
- How to See Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN: Trajectory in October-November 2025
- Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN Discovery
Comet SWAN F.A.Q.
- What Does C/2025 R2 SWAN Mean?
- Is C/2025 R2 (SWAN) an Interstellar Object?
- Are C/2025 R2 (SWAN) And 3I/ATLAS Alien Spaceships?
- Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN Size: Is It Really 100 Times Bigger Than 3I/ATLAS?
- Which Apps Can Help You Track Comet SWAN 2025 in the Sky?
- Will Comet C/2025 R2 Be Visible to the Naked Eye?
- What Other Comets Will Be Visible in October 2025?
- Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN: Conclusion
Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN: General Info
- Type: non-periodic comet
- Orbital period: 20,000+ years
- Perihelion: September 12, 2025
- Closest approach to Earth: October 20, 2025
- Maximum brightness: possibly up to mag 4
- Best visible from: Southern Hemisphere; Northern Hemisphere after the closest approach
Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN reached its perihelion on September 12, passing about 0.5 AU from the Sun, just outside Mercury’s aphelion. This comet belongs to the non-periodic type but is not a first-time visitor to the inner Solar System, which increases its chances of surviving the journey.
After perihelion, the comet’s brightness reached a magnitude of 7 to 6.5. It remains unclear whether this was caused by a sudden outburst or a gradual increase in brightness. If the latter is true, the comet could continue to grow brighter as it approaches Earth, coming as close as 0.261 AU.
Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN Right Now
Right now, Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN is passing through the constellation Ophiuchus. At a magnitude of around 6, it can be observed with binoculars or captured with a camera equipped with a 200 mm lens. C/2025 R2 SWAN can already be seen from both hemispheres, with the best viewing from the Southern Hemisphere. Look for the comet right after sunset on the west-southwestern horizon. Make sure you have an unobstructed view of the horizon.
To locate the comet more easily, use the free Sky Tonight app. Type “C/2025 R2 SWAN” in the search bar, tap the blue target button, point your device to the sky, and follow the arrow.
How to See Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN: Trajectory in October-November 2025
Here’s the path Comet SWAN will take over the next few weeks. Right now, it reaches its best visibility, so plan your observations and find the comet in the sky above you!
Comet SWAN R2 October Visibility – Best Time to See
Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN is now visible from both hemispheres. It glows low above the west-southwestern horizon at dusk.
Between October 18 and 21, the comet will pass just 0.26 AU from Earth. If it stays intact, it could become a spectacular target for skywatchers and astrophotographers. Some optimistic predictions suggest that it could brighten to magnitude 4, which would make it visible to the naked eye under dark skies. However, comets are notoriously unpredictable, so consider this an exciting possibility rather than a guarantee.
Yet another bonus: On the evening of October 20, skywatchers get a triple treat. Look southwest to spot Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) glowing in Sagittarius, and northwest for Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) in Boötes. Overhead, the Orionids will light up the sky with up to 20 bright, fast meteors per hour, streaking from Orion. And the best part? All of this happens under the New Moon, so the sky will be perfectly dark for viewing. If Monday stargazing isn’t your thing, you can start a night earlier on October 20 – though the meteor activity will be a bit lower. Truly, it’s a stargazer’s dream!
Key dates:
- October 2: passed near Zubenelgenubi (mag 2.8);
- October 9: passed near Theta Librae (mag 4.1);
- October 10: entered the constellation Scorpius;
- October 12: entered the constellation Ophiuchus;
- October 14: passes near Sabik (mag 2.5);
- October 15: enters the constellation Serpens Cauda;
- October 18: passes between M16 and M17 and crosses the galactic plane;
- October 20: reaches the closest approach to Earth (mag 7.3, 0.261 AU); enters the constellation Sagittarius;
- October 21: enters the constellation Aquila;
- October 24: borders the constellation Capricornus;
- October 26: enters the constellation Aquarius.
Comet SWAN R2 November Visibility – Farewell
On November 3, the comet crosses the celestial equator northward and begins its long journey back to the outer Solar System. It will gradually fade from view, disappearing from our skies until its next return – more than 20,000 years from now.
Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN Discovery
Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN was discovered on September 11, using images from the Solar Wind Anisotropies (SWAN) instrument aboard the SOHO spacecraft. The discovery was made by Ukrainian amateur astronomer Vladimir Bezugly, who noticed the comet moving across the SWAN field of view.
While SWAN images are great for discovering comets, ground-based confirmations are still often needed. To do this, Vladimir contacted Martin Mašek of the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. On September 12, Martin used the FRAM telescope in Chile to check the discovery. He said: “I was very pleasantly surprised by such a bright comet with a long tail – I originally expected to be searching for a small, faint patch.” Vladimir agreed, noting that, “from my memory, this comet is one of the brightest among all comets we’ve ever discovered in SWAN images.”
Why wasn’t this bright comet detected earlier? Most likely, it was hidden behind or too close to the Sun, and may have only become visible after passing perihelion. Astronomers are now carefully comparing new observations to refine its trajectory and learn more about this cosmic visitor.
The comet was temporarily designated SWAN25B until it was given an official name by the International Astronomical Union – Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN.
Comet SWAN F.A.Q.
What Does C/2025 R2 SWAN Mean?
The name of the comet contains data about its type, date of discovery, and discoverer:
- The letter “C” denotes a non-periodic comet. Such comets either pass through the Solar System only once or take more than 200 years to complete an orbit around the Sun.
- The designation “2025 R2” indicates that the comet was discovered in the first half of September 2025 and was the second comet discovered during that period.
- “SWAN” signifies that the discovery was made by the astronomical instrument called Solar Wind Anisotropies (SWAN).
Is C/2025 R2 (SWAN) an Interstellar Object?
C/2025 R2 (SWAN) is not an interstellar object. It originates from the Oort Cloud, a vast reservoir of icy bodies at the outer edges of the Solar System. Although the Oort Cloud lies incredibly far away, it is still under the Sun’s gravitational influence. This means SWAN is a Solar System comet, unlike 3I/ATLAS, the interstellar comet which will also reach the inner Solar System soon.
Are C/2025 R2 (SWAN) And 3I/ATLAS Alien Spaceships?
Because C/2025 R2 (SWAN) and 3I/ATLAS are appearing around the same time, there are rumors on the Internet that these are alien spaceships preparing for a “cosmic showdown” behind the Sun. Unfortunately for sci-fi fans, there’s no scientific evidence to support these claims. These ideas stem from conspiracy videos, not from astronomers.
For one, both objects show a very typical comet behavior – nothing that NASA would need to “hide” from us. And secondly, the comets’ paths don’t cross behind the Sun – C/2025 R2 has already reached perihelion on September 12, while 3I/ATLAS will only approach the Sun on October 29. So, even if they were alien spaceships, 3I/ATLAS simply arrived too late for the battle.
Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN Size: Is It Really 100 Times Bigger Than 3I/ATLAS?
Some say that Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) is not only of alien origin but also 100 times larger than the interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS. In reality, no definitive scientific source currently provides the exact size of Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN). As for SWAN’s spectacular tail, which some use as “proof” of its massive size, it tells us nothing about the comet’s nucleus. A comet’s brightness and tail length depend on how much gas and dust it releases, not on how large the comet really is.
Which Apps Can Help You Track Comet SWAN 2025 in the Sky?
If you’re looking for a reliable tool to track Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN), check out the apps Star Walk 2 and Sky Tonight.
Star Walk 2 is perfect for casual stargazers. It combines beautiful visuals with an intuitive interface and includes comet tracking as part of its extended catalog. You’ll also get access to thousands of deep-sky objects, meteor showers, and satellites – perfect for exploring the night sky anytime.
If you’re after more advanced features, Sky Tonight is your go-to choice. It offers real-time visibility forecasts, a twilight calendar, and even analemma plotting tools.
Both apps display Comet SWAN’s live location on an interactive 3D sky map – just type “C/2025 R2” in the search bar, and you’ll instantly see where and when it’s visible from your location.
Pick the app that fits your style and make sure you don’t miss Comet SWAN’s brightest moments!
Will Comet C/2025 R2 Be Visible to the Naked Eye?
Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) will most likely not be visible to the naked eye. Its brightness is estimated to be around magnitude 6, which is beyond what the unaided eye can see but easily visible with binoculars or a small telescope. However, comets are unpredictable. Some optimistic forecasts suggest it could brighten to magnitude 4 by late October, making it visible under dark skies. The best way to find out is to track the comet yourself and observe how its brightness changes over time.
What Other Comets Will Be Visible in October 2025?
Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) isn’t the only visitor gracing our skies in October 2025. Another promising comet, C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), is also glowing nearby. In October, it can reach naked-eye visibility, best seen from the Northern Hemisphere.
Comets SWAN and Lemmon are expected to be visible in the October sky alongside the Orionid meteors. The Orionids will reach their peak on October 20. With the New Moon providing perfectly dark skies, stargazers may enjoy a dazzling view of the two comets and dozens of shooting stars on the same night.
As if that weren’t enough, two more comets will be visible around the same time: C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) (magnitude 9-10) and Comet 3I/ATLAS (magnitude 12). Keep an eye on our upcoming comets guide to stay updated on these extraordinary cosmic visitors.
Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN: Conclusion
Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN is making a big appearance in the sky. Currently, it shines at magnitude 6 in the west-southwestern evening sky. The comet is already visible with binoculars from both hemispheres. It's best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, but its visibility also improves in the Northern Hemisphere day by day.
Don't miss this celestial show! Track Comet SWAN easily with the free Sky Tonight app and be ready when it rises in your sky.
Wishing you clear skies and successful comet-hunting!
