Unless you are 170,000 years old, in the next few days you will be able to see a comet that you have never seen before

In April, astronomy lovers have an annual meeting with the lyrid star shower. However, this year the observation of C/2025 R3 is also added, a comet that last visited the inner solar system 170,000 years ago.

Prepare to observe. Although the comet has been visible in our skies for several days, it can currently only be seen with binoculars or small telescopes. However, it is expected that after its perihelion (closest point to the Sun), which will take place on April 19, it can be seen with the naked eye. Between April 20 and 24, if all goes well, could reach magnitude 3. This is a measurement that indicates greater brightness as it descends. That is, a comet of magnitude 3 will be brighter than one of magnitude 5.

Better in the morning (in the northern hemisphere). If you are in the northern hemisphere, the best time to see this comet will be very late at night. Or early in the morning, depending on how you look at it. Your best visibility will be achieved around 2 hours before the sun rises. In fact, the sun is the main problem, since its best observation time could be April 25, but the Sun will already be too close to allow its visibility properly.

in the southern hemisphere. In the other half of the planet, the comet will be seen in the evening, in the late afternoon. While in the north optimal visibility ends on April 25, in the south it is just when it will start to look better. It will continue like this until almost the entire month of May. Of course, it doesn’t matter which hemisphere you are in. It is essential to stay away from light pollution and look for the darkest skies possible.

Where to look. The point in the sky on which to rest your eyes (or binoculars) It depends on the day you choose to try to see the comet. For example, on April 19 it will cross from the constellation of Pegasus to that of Pisces. Later, on April 24, it will walk alongside Aries, and then move on to Cetus on April 25.

From here, there will no longer be visibility in the northern hemisphere, but in the south you will be able to see the comet on April 29 leaving Cetus towards Taurus, on May 1 through Eridanus, from May 7 to 8 through the Witch’s Head Nebula and on May 8 through the constellation of Orion. The Orion Nebula will also meet it, between May 10 and 12. The comet will then pass between the border of Orion and the Unicorn on May 16. Finally, between May 23 and 25 it will be in the Red Rectangle Nebula, but already with a magnitude of 9, which indicates an extremely weak brightness.

A special shine. In reality, the brightness of a comet cannot be predicted exactly. In fact, depending on which source we turn to, we may read different magnitude values ​​for the one we will see these days. When we talk about magnitude 3, we are referring to the calculation in the best scenario.

It could be somewhat weaker, although the truth is that C/2025 R3 has a peculiarity that makes it very special: forward dispersion. This is a phenomenon where sunlight passes through the comet’s dust at the perfect angle so that most of that light is directed towards Earth. Therefore, it is a fairly bright comet, although that desired 3 may not be reached.

Red-handed for Pan-STARRS. This comet was discovered on September 8, 2025 through observations with the Pan-STARRS telescope, located in Haleakala, Hawaii. At that moment he was passing Andromeda. Its status as a comet was confirmed with another observation on September 17. Since then, it has attracted the attention of many astronomers, both professional and amateur. Without a doubt, it is worth going out and looking for it. We cannot wait 170,000 more years.

Images | Dimitrios Katevainis (Wikimedia Commons)

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