A pair of newly discovered comets are making a rare double display in the night sky this week.
SWAN and Lemmon, both of which were discovered this year, have reached their closest points to Earth in their thousands-of-years-long orbits around the sun: SWAN on Monday, Oct. 20, and Lemmon Tuesday, Oct. 21, according to Live Science.
Viewing chances will be better for Lemmon, which is set to appear bright in the Northern Hemisphere. Viewing is best for SWAN in the Southern Hemisphere, EarthSky and Space.com noted.
Clear skies permitting, bundle up and head to your nearest dark sky park to spot the comets, and bring along a pair of binoculars.
Here’s what to know about the comets.
When will the comets approach Earth?
Comet SWAN reached its closest point to Earth in its orbit around the sun Oct. 20 at 24 million miles away, according to Live Science.
Comet Lemmon will come within 56 million miles of Earth, the closest point in its orbit, tonight, Oct. 21, Live Science noted.
This week, plan for viewing about an hour and a half past sunset to observe your best look at the comets. Note, Lemmon will be brighter and visible to the naked eye, while SWAN will appear dimmer and you’ll need binoculars to see it, Live Science says.
What is Comet SWAN?
Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) is a newly discovered comet that takes more than 22,000 years to orbit the sun, according to EarthSky. Scientists officially confirmed the comet Sept. 12.
How can you see Comet SWAN?
Comet SWAN has an estimated brightness of magnitude +6.1 (a measure of visual brightness), which, in a dark, moonless sky, puts it just barely beyond the range of the naked eye, EarthSky said. The comet can be best viewed using binoculars or a telescope.
Viewing Comet SWAN may not be ideal from Michigan as its position in the west after sunset makes evening views in the Northern Hemisphere difficult in autumn, according to EarthSky. Best views are in the Southern Hemisphere.
What is Comet Lemmon?
Comet Lemmon is another recently discovered comet eventually set for a 1,150-year orbit around the Sun, according to Astronomy Magazine. Scientists found the comet in January in the Mount Lemmon Survey.
The comet has been brightening as it approaches its closest point to the sun on Nov. 8, according to Space.com.
How can you see Comet Lemmon?
Comet Lemmon should be easily visible in the evening sky in Michigan, being in the Northern Hemisphere. The comet can be best viewed using binoculars in mid-October and November when its brightness reaches roughly magnitude 5.
Where to get best views in Michigan
Look for a clear, open area to best view the comets in Michigan’s skies. Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2 comets are appearing in the night sky. How to see them now
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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