There’s a new comet speeding toward the sun, and you can see it with binoculars in the morning sky. SWAN, an instrument aboard the European Space Agency’s SOHO spacecraft that studies the sun, first detected the comet, giving the comet its name of SWAN25F. Australian amateur astronomer Michael Mattiazo was examining the latest images taken by the spacecraft, and on April 1, he reported that a pretty obvious comet was visible in these images.
To see the comet, look toward the east-northeastern horizon just before sunrise. Although the comet is gradually brightening, at the moment you’ll still need binoculars or a small telescope to see it.
The good news is that if the comet survives its perihelion – or closest approach to the sun – in a few weeks, it might be visible during sunset. Just how bright it will be remains to be seen, as comets have shown us they are erratic and unpredictable. But if the comet survives its closest approach to the sun, it would make its transition from the dawn sky to the dusk sky during the first days of May.
By then, the comet’s very high speed will be noticeable when comparing its position during each sunset.
Preliminary observations suggest that closest approach to Earth and to the sun will occur on the same day, on May 1, 2025. The comet will be passing at around 31 million miles from the sun, or just inside of planet Mercury’s average orbit.
At closest approach, the comet’s brightness or magnitude might be between 4.5 to 5. But it will probably be quite close to the horizon.
Look for the comet in Pegasus
During the first days of April, the comet has been inside the Great Square of Pegasus the Flying Horse. And it’s moving toward Andromeda the Chained Lady.
In fact, one of the stars of the Great Square can help you locate the comet. Look toward the star Alpha Andromedae, or Alpheratz, the brightest of the four corner stars. Comet SWAN25F will pass not far from Alpheratz around April 13, 2025.
More on Comet SWAN25F
The new comet appears as a small green sphere, which means its coma – or cometary atmosphere – has reactive molecules called diatomic carbon (C2). These appear green when sunlight illuminates the celestial visitor.
Long-exposure images are also showing a faint tail that extends for more than two moon diameters.
Latest reported brightness or magnitude is around 8 to 7.5 and improving (the lower the number, the brighter). Keep checking back, because we’ll keep you updated on its progress!
Bottom line: The new comet SWAN25F is approaching the sun and you can currently see it with binoculars in the morning sky. Keep track of its progress here.
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