Where Is Comet SWAN Tonight?
The core of Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) has split into two pieces! Yet it remains the second-brightest comet in the sky, visible in telescopes as it moves away from Earth in November. 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 in 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?
- Is Comet C/2025 R2 Visible to the Naked Eye?
- What Other Comets Are Visible in November 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: mag 6
- Best visible from: Southern Hemisphere; Northern Hemisphere after the closest approach
Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN in November 2025
In November, Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) passes through the constellations Aquarius and Pisces, above the planet Saturn, which serves as a handy reference point in the evening sky. At a magnitude of around 8, the comet is visible through amateur telescopes (100 mm aperture or larger) from locations with minimal light pollution. It can be observed from both hemispheres, though the Southern Hemisphere offers the best view. Look for Comet SWAN after sunset, low above the west-southwestern horizon.
On November 3, an update in The Astronomer’s Telegram reported signs of core disintegration. Images from the 2.0-m TTT3 telescope revealed two distinct core fragments, suggesting the comet’s nucleus split. Despite the breakup, C/2025 R2 (SWAN) remains visible, although it is gradually fading from view. You may try to observe its remnants until around late November.
To locate the comet in your sky, 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.
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 approached 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!
Is Comet C/2025 R2 Visible to the Naked Eye?
In November, Comet C/2025 R2 has a magnitude of around 8, which is far beyond what the unaided eye can see. You can see the comet with a telescope that has an aperture of 100 mm or higher. The comet is getting dimmer every day as it moves farther away from the inner Solar System.
What Other Comets Are Visible in November 2025?
Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) isn’t the only visitor gracing our skies in November 2025. The brighter comet, C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), is also glowing nearby. In November, it can be seen with binoculars from both hemispheres, shining at a magnitude of 5-6.
As if that weren’t enough, two more comets will be visible around the same time: 210P/Christensen (magnitude 9-10) and Comet 3I/ATLAS (magnitude 11-12). 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 now fading from view, marking the end of its brief visit to Earth’s skies. You can still observe it through an amateur telescope in November, though its brightness is decreasing as it drifts away. Recent observations also confirm the comet’s core has split in two, showing clear signs of disintegration.
Track Comet SWAN one final time with the free Sky Tonight app, and stay tuned for more comets in the months ahead!
