Topline
After being visible on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, two green comets are becoming easier to see — and more convenient. On Monday, Oct. 13, the brighter comet, Lemmon (C/2025 A6), will shift from being a morning-only target to evening visibility as well, appearing low in the northwest about 90 minutes after sunset. The dimmer comet SWAN (C/2025 R2) will appear in the southwest just beneath the bright star Sabik, making it relatively easy to try for. Both will remain binocular-only objects for now, but with a waning gibbous moon now rising late at night, both should become more prominent. They’re both expected to reach their brightest around Oct. 20-21, a date that coincides with a new moon and the Orionid meteor shower, potentially creating one of the best skywatching opportunities of the year.
C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE), or Comet NEOWISE, is a retrograde comet with a near-parabolic orbit discovered on March 27, 2020. Taken in Antequera, Málaga. Andalusia. South of Spain.
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Key Facts
There are two comets currently observable in binoculars — the brightest, Comet Lemmon, before sunrise and after sunset in the northern sky and Comet SWAN after sunset in the southwestern sky. Because of its far-northern path, Comet Lemmon now appears on both sides of the northern sky between dusk and dawn.
The best time to view both comets in one session is 90 minutes after sunset. However, Comet Lemmon can also be seen 90 minutes before sunrise.
You’ll need a pair of binoculars to see either comet, with 8×42 and 10×50, or similar, the best option. Both comets will appear as small, diffuse patches in a pair of binoculars, changing position slightly each day. Those observing in dark sky places far from streetlights and urban light pollution will have the best views of both comets.
A good way to find the location of the comets in your sky is to use the finder charts at In-The-Sky.com or stargazing apps such as Sky Guide, Stellarium and SkySafari.
The Comet Observation database reports Comet Lemmon to be shining at magnitude +5.7 and comet SWAN a little dimmer at magnitude +6.
Lemmon and SWAN are the first comets visible in binoculars since Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS in October 2024.
Comet Lemmon And Swan: Best Times To Look
The best time to spot Comet Lemmon and Comet SWAN on Monday, Oct. 14, 2025, is during a 30-minute window starting about 90 minutes after sunset where you are. Both are visible after sunset but in opposite parts of the sky — Lemmon in the northwest, SWAN in the southwest. For New York City, where sunset is at 6:16 p.m. EDT, that means 7:46-8:16 p.m. EDT is ideal for evening viewing.
Comet Lemmon can also be seen before dawn. Look during a 30-minute window beginning about 90 minutes before sunrise. With sunrise at 7:05 a.m. EDT in New York, the best time will be 5:35-6:05 a.m. EDT — though earlier observations may also reveal the comet rising in the northeast.
Where to find Comet Lemmon 90 minutes after sunset on Monday, Oct. 14, 2025.
Stellarium
Comet Lemmon: When And Where To Find It
Distance from the sun: 73.9 million miles (118.9 million kilometers)
Distance from Earth: 63.9 million miles (102.9 million kilometers)
After sunset, look for Comet Lemmon just below the curved handle of the Big Dipper. Its height above the horizon varies by location, but from New York it will appear about 7 degrees above the northwest horizon at 7:46 p.m. EDT — roughly the width of four fingers held at arm’s length — and will gradually sink as twilight deepens.
Before sunrise, the comet reappears in the northeast, to the right of the Big Dipper’s handle and level with the star Alioth. From New York, it will stand about 24 degrees high — approximately the span of your outstretched hand — at 5:35 a.m. EDT, as Venus rises in the east, and climb higher as dawn approaches.
Where to find Comet Lemmon 90 minutes before sunrise on Monday, Oct. 14, 2025.
Stellarium
Comet Swan: When And Where To Find It
Distance from the sun: 80.7 million miles (129.9 million kilometers)
Distance from Earth: 27.2 million miles (43.7 million kilometers)
Bluish-green Comet SWAN will be visible in binoculars after sunset on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, glowing low in the southwestern sky. Look for it just below Sabik, a bright star in Ophiuchus, and directly above Antares in Scorpius. Its altitude varies by location, but from New York it will appear about 19 degrees high — roughly the distance between your little finger and forefinger held apart at arm’s length — and will gradually sink toward the horizon as the twilight fades.
Where to find Comet SWAN 90 minutes after sunset on Monday, Oct. 14, 2025.
Stellarium
How To Photograph A Comet
To photograph a comet, use either a smartphone or a manual mirrorless/DSLR camera on a tripod. Smartphones in “night” or “pro” mode can capture long exposures — enable RAW mode if available. With a DSLR and a 50–105mm lens, start with ISO 800–1600, aperture f/2.8–f/4, and a shutter speed of 2–5 seconds. In light-polluted areas, raise ISO slightly and shorten exposures. Use binoculars to locate the comet before framing your shot. Focus manually on a bright star using live-view magnification or set to infinity. Even if the comet’s tails aren’t visible to the naked eye, they’ll probably appear in your images.
Check my feed every day this month for a daily “comet tracker” with finder charts and tips for viewing Comet Lemmon from mid-northern latitudes.