Tag Archives: Comet

Comet Lemmon’s nucleus and tail pictured against the distant starfield beyond. (Image credit: Brennan Gilmore) Astrophotographer Brennan Gilmore has captured spectacular views of the solar wind stripping a vast section from C/2025 A6 (Lemmon)’s tail, as the icy wanderer continues to brighten ahead of its close approach to Earth on Oct. 21. Top Camera Pick: Nikon Z9 (Image credit: Andy …

Comet 3I/Atlas continues to be full of surprises. As well as being only the third interstellar object ever detected, new analysis shows it is producing hydroxyl (OH) emissions, with these compounds betraying the presence of water on its surface. This discovery was made by a team of researchers at Auburn University in Alabama using NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, and …

In early October, astronomers spotted something ancient and mysterious gliding past Mars. It was not a spacecraft or satellite, but a visitor from beyond our Solar System – an interstellar comet. Comet 3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar comet ever observed. These types of comets are true outsiders from deep space. They were born around a completely different star, long …

Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon is getting brighter and whether you have a telescope, binoculars or just your eyes, here’s how you can catch a glimpse. Another comet, C/2025 A6 Lemmon, is possibly becoming bright enough to be visible to the naked eye in the coming days.(WTOP/Greg Redfern) Another comet, C/2025 A6 Lemmon, is possibly becoming bright enough to be visible …

This year is a boom time for comets. Not only did we have the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS gracing our skies (and Mars’) earlier this year, but now we have another brand new comet to look out for. Expected to be at its brightest on October 21, this month you might have the chance to spot the comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) …

This week’s science news was bursting with mind-blowing astronomical observations, led by new discoveries about the origins of the comet 3I/ATLAS. The comet, an interstellar interloper from far beyond our solar system, was first spotted in late June. Now, scientists are finally closing in on its age and where it came from. They discovered it likely originated in the far …

Comet 3I/ATLAS is the third interstellar visitor and continues to be a treasure trove of information about the condition of its formation. As it speeds through the Solar System, telescopes have been pointed at it, revealing new tidbits about this fascinating space rock. Just recently, we have learned about the unusual ratio of nickel to iron (both common in comets); …

The past month has seen Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) brightening rapidly ahead of its close approach to the sun, leading to growing excitement that it could shine brightly enough to be seen by the naked eye in mid-late October. Solar system comets tend to become increasingly active and bright in the weeks and months leading up to perihelion — their …

A rocky visitor from beyond our solar system is leaking water like a “fire hose running at full blast,” a new study reports. Using NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, scientists have for the first time detected the chemical fingerprint of water spilling from interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, only the third known object from another star system ever observed passing through our …

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS began blasting water “like a fire hose” before it was anywhere near the sun, according to a recent study. Researchers observed the comet scattering water unusually early in a discovery that sheds light on how the building blocks of life are distributed across other planetary systems. Initial James Webb Space Telescope observations have suggested that 3I/ATLAS …