Archive · 16 Sep 2025
New Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) Discovered; Next Visit in 24,579
Scientists have found a new comet called C/2025 R2 (SWAN)!
It was first spotted by a space telescope.
It is pretty bright and has a long tail.
The comet came closest to the sun on September 12, 2025.
It will get closest to Earth between October 12 – 19, 2025.
After this visit, it will be thousands of years before it returns!
Scientists will use this information to understand the comet’s orbit around the sun.
Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) was discovered on September 12, 2025.
It was detected by the Solar Wind Anisotropies (SWAN) instrument.
The comet reached its closest point to the Sun on September 12, 2025.
Earth will cross the comet's orbit on October 5, 2025.
The comet's closest approach to Earth will be between October 12 – 19, 2025.
- Who
- Solar Wind Anisotropies (SWAN) instrument, International Astronomical Union, NASA/JPL, Michael Matiazzo
- What
- Discovery of comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) and its trajectory.
- When
- Discovered on September 12, 2025; Earth crossing its orbit on October 5, 2025.
- Where
- Originates from the direction of the Sun; will be visible in the southern US.
- Why
- To understand its orbit and potential for a meteor shower.
Scientist Analysis
Public Observation
Visibility
Scientist Analysis
Scientists used instruments to observe the comet.
Public Observation
Binoculars might offer a glimpse.
- Comet Name
- C/2025 R2 (SWAN)
- Discovery Date
- September 12, 2025
- Brightness
- Magnitude 7
- Tail Length
- 2 degrees (observed)
- Orbital Period
- 22,554 years
- Perihelion
- September 12, 2025
- Closest Approach to Earth
- October 12 – 19, 2025
- Closest Approach Distance
- 39 million kilometers
