Ukrainian discovers comet that will fly by Earth in October: where and when to watch
24 September 06:05
In October, a new comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) will be observed near our planet Earth, which was discovered by an amateur astronomer from Ukraine using images from the NASA spacecraft. This is reported by Space, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
How the comet was found
on September 10, 2025, Volodymyr Bezuglyi, an amateur astronomer from Dnipro, while viewing images taken by the SWAN camera aboard the SOHO spacecraft, noticed a moving bright object. Later it turned out to be a comet. It became the 20th comet discovered with this camera.
“This is one of the brightest comets ever detected with SWAN images,” Bezuglyi said.
After Bezuglyi’s first observation, the comet was spotted by other amateurs, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. on September 15, the comet was officially designated by the IAU as Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN).
What is the brightness
Astronomers measure the brilliance of celestial bodies on a scale of stellar magnitudes. The brightest stars have magnitude 0 or 1, and the limit for the naked eye is about 6.5.
At present, the brightness of Comet SWAN is estimated at 7, which is slightly beyond the limit of visibility without optics. However, ordinary binoculars allow us to see it as a small foggy “head” with a thin tail about two degrees long.
Calculations show that the comet passed closest to the Sun (perihelion) on September 12, and on October 21 it will approach the Earth at a distance of 40.3 million km. Its orbital period is approximately 1400 years.
How to see Comet SWAN in the sky: exact dates and tips for observing
Predictions vary, but most experts – including Japanese astronomer Seiichi Yoshida and Dutch researcher Gideon van Beutinen – believe that SWAN’s brightness could reach magnitude 6 in October, meaning that in dark skies without light pollution, the comet will likely be visible to the naked eye.
October 10-20 may be a particularly favorable period for observations, when the object will gradually rise in the southern sky after sunset. By the end of the month, it will reach a height of about 30° above the horizon.
The comet will pass through the constellations of Libra, Scorpius, the Serpentine, Sagittarius, the Eagle, and Aquarius.
A meteor shower?
There were speculations on social media that Comet SWAN could cause a meteor shower in early October. However, astronomers deny this. Its orbit passes at a distance of about 7 million kilometers above the Earth’s orbit, so no collisions with space dust are expected.
In addition, SWAN is mostly a gas comet, not a “dust” comet, so it leaves almost no debris behind.
Comet of a Ukrainian astronomer is approaching the Earth
In October 2025, Comet SWAN will become one of the most interesting objects to observe in the evening sky. Even if it does not reach full visibility to the naked eye, good binoculars or a small telescope will allow you to enjoy its appearance.
