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Two Comets Share the Night Sky This Weekend as Swan Peaks, Lemmon Nears Earth

A dark, moonless sky around Oct. 21 offers prime viewing during the Orionids peak.

Overview

  • ESA reports Swan (C/2025 R2) passing at roughly 30 million kilometers, reaching its greatest brightness around Oct. 17–19 and favoring binocular views low in the southwest after dusk.
  • Lemmon (C/2025 A6) comes closest at about 90 million kilometers on Oct. 21, with peak brightness expected Oct. 28–31 and potential naked‑eye visibility from dark locations.
  • Comet specialists say Swan was first noticed in September after arriving from the Sun’s direction, which made its appearance seem sudden to skywatchers.
  • The German Weather Service expects the best viewing Saturday night in eastern Germany and southeast Bavaria, with more cloud cover elsewhere and poorer prospects by Sunday night.
  • Visual observers should expect faint, diffuse glows rather than the bright green seen in photos, so binoculars or a small telescope are recommended.