Two Comets & Meteor Shower Peak: When to See It
- Here's a breakdown of the astronomical events happening in October, based on the provided text:
- * Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2): * Discovery: september * visibility: visible to mid-northern latitudes starting the second week of October.
- * Orionids: * Peak: October 21-22 (about 20 meteors per hour) * best Viewing: After midnight through dawn, looking towards the constellation Orion in the southeast.
Here’s a breakdown of the astronomical events happening in October, based on the provided text:
Comets:
* Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2):
* Discovery: september
* visibility: visible to mid-northern latitudes starting the second week of October.
* Location: Begins low in the southwestern sky in Libra at dusk, then moves northeastward through Scorpius, Ophiuchus, and Serpens.
* key Dates:
* Oct. 13: Passes near Sabik (shining star in Ophiuchus).
* oct. 21: Closest to the sun (expected to be at its brightest). Will then dim.
* Comet Lemmon:
* Discovery: January (by Mount Lemmon survey in Arizona)
* Visibility: Brightening as it approaches Earth, visible around Oct. 12.
* Location: Low in the northwest, near the Big Dipper.
* Key Dates:
* Oct.12: Becomes visible.
* Oct. 16: Passes within a degree of Cor Caroli (bright star in Canes Venatici).
* Oct. 21: Closest to Earth.
Meteor Shower:
* Orionids:
* Peak: October 21-22 (about 20 meteors per hour)
* best Viewing: After midnight through dawn, looking towards the constellation Orion in the southeast.
* Source: Debris from halley’s Comet.
* Conditions: Excellent due to the new moon on Oct. 21 providing dark skies.
Overall: October promises a great chance for skywatchers with two perhaps naked-eye comets and a meteor shower peaking simultaneously occurring, under favorable dark-sky conditions.