Watch Comets Lemmon & SWAN at Closest Approach — Live Today (with viewing tips)

https://youtu.be/tD0jJnuuwq8

Date: Monday, Oct 20, 2025
Livestream (Virtual Telescope Project): 20:30 EAT (17:30 GMT / 13:30 EDT) Space

Two comets—C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) and C/2025 R2 (SWAN)—are making their closest approach to Earth, and you can watch live online or try to spot them yourself under dark skies. The Virtual Telescope Project is hosting a global webcast, and Space.com is carrying the stream. Space

Quick facts (tonight)

• Livestream start (Nairobi): 20:30 EAT (Mon, Oct 20). Space

• Best sky conditions: We’re effectively at new moon (new moon on Oct 21), so skies are nice and dark. Space

• How bright? Both comets are binocular/small-scope targets; Lemmon is the easier evening object, SWAN is trickier pre-dawn. Space

How to watch live

• Virtual Telescope Project livestream (YouTube): “Comets C/2025 A6 Lemmon & C/2025 R2 SWAN at their closest approach to Earth.” Goes live 20:30 EAT. YouTube+1

• Event announcement & details (Space.com): Includes timing and background on both comets. Space

• Virtual Telescope Project updates & images: Image posts for Lemmon (Oct 18) and SWAN (Oct 17) show the current appearance. The Virtual Telescope Project 2.0+2The Virtual Telescope Project 2.0+2

Try spotting them yourself (Kenya/East Africa)

• Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6): Look west after sunset with binoculars; it climbs a bit higher each night as it drifts northward. Find a dark site with a clear western horizon. Space

• Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2): Best pre-dawn, low on the eastern horizon as it recedes from the sun—use binoculars/small scope. Space

• Pro tip: Because tonight is essentially moonless, give your eyes 20–30 minutes to dark-adapt. Avoid phone screens.

Why is this special?

A “double-comet” week is rare. During this close-approach window, Lemmon is about 56 million miles (~90 million km) from Earth, while SWAN comes to roughly 24 million miles (~39 million km). Scientists expect peak visibility between Oct 20–21. Space

Gear & settings (beginners)

• Binoculars: 7×50 or 10×50 are perfect starters (hand-held).

• Telescope: Any small refractor/Newtonian will reveal the fuzzy coma and a hint of tail under good skies.

• Photo basics: Tripod, wide lens, 10–20 s exposures, ISO 1600–3200; take short stacks for a cleaner image.

Acknowledgments (Contributors & Sources)

• Reporting & coordination: Daisy Dobrijevic (Reference Editor), Space.com — article & embedded livestream details. Space

• Livestream & observations: Dr. Gianluca Masi and the Virtual Telescope Project — event host, current images, and sky notes. The Virtual Telescope Project 2.0+2The Virtual Telescope Project 2.0+2

• Live video: YouTube / Virtual Telescope Project — event stream. YouTube+1

• Sky conditions: Space.com moon-phase calendar — confirming new moon on Oct 21 (dark skies tonight). Space