A new observational object has appeared in the April morning sky – comet SWAN25F, which is rapidly approaching the Sun. The tailed visitor was discovered using the SWAN instrument on SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory). Amateur astronomers have time to pay attention to the comet, because it is already visible in binoculars, and in early May, it may become even more visible after the passage of perihelion.
The comet was discovered by Australian amateur astronomer Michael Mattiazo, who analyzed images from SOHO on April 1. The name SWAN25F comes from the SWAN instrument, which studies the solar wind. Although the comet is still dim (8-7.5 star magnitude), its brightness is increasing. But in the coming weeks, the brightness could reach 4.5-5 magnitudes – the limit of visibility to the naked eye.
New Comet Alert: SWAN25F ☄️
A brand new comet — provisionally named SWAN25F — has just been discovered, and it could become binocular-bright soon!
📍 Closest to the Sun: May 1, 2025
🔭 Where to watch:
• Before May 1: visible in the Northern Hemisphere’s sky
• After May 1:… pic.twitter.com/hNp2qUh6PQ— Star Walk (@StarWalk) April 8, 2025
Until April 13, the comet will move in the constellation of Pegasus and then Andromeda. It is easiest to find thanks to the bright star Alpheres (α Andromeda), near which SWAN25F will pass on April 13.
The comet’s coma has a green glow due to the two-atom carbon (C₂) that ionizes in sunlight. Long exposure images will show a tail the length of two lunar disks.
The key date for observations of SWAN25F is May 1, 2025. On this day, the comet will simultaneously approach the Sun at a minimum distance of 31 million kilometers, that is, it will be closer to the orbit of Mercury. However, due to its proximity to the horizon, it will be difficult to observe.
Comets are some of the most unpredictable objects in the Solar System. SWAN25F may suddenly increase in brightness or even disintegrate as it approaches the Sun. SWAN25F is a unique chance to see a cosmic “business card” from the far edges of our system.
* New Comet SWAN25F. 2025
— Ambrogio Sartirano (@AmbrogioSartir3) April 6, 2025
April 6th
Exposure time 1min (06x10s)
03:25 UTC between 3:24 and 3:25 UTC
magnitude : 9.5
coma 2.1 arcminutes in dia
RA : 23h 28m 20s
DEC : +24° 50' 34" pic.twitter.com/SndAGiKIZp
SWAN25F is a unique chance to see a cosmic “business card” from the far edges of our system.
Earlier we reported on how the “ghost” of a comet decorated the sky over the Atacama.
According to earthsky.org
