Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) Dazzles Early Morning Skywatchers Over U.K., Offers Brief Window for U.S. Observers
By Archyde News – Published: April 10,2025
A celestial visitor,Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN),is currently gracing the early morning skies,offering a brief but stunning spectacle for skywatchers. Discovered in late March, the comet has quickly captured the attention of astronomers and astrophotographers alike. As it makes its closest approach to the sun, known as perihelion, it presents a unique possibility to observe a piece of our solar system’s ancient history.
(Image credit: Josh Dury)
Astrophotographer Josh Dury,based in the U.K., was among the first to capture stunning images of the comet shortly after its official designation. Dury photographed Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) above the Mendip Hills in Somerset, U.K., around 4:50 a.m. local time on april 9th.
Dury emphasized the meaning of capturing such a fleeting phenomenon:
Amazing to witness such a newly discovered comet just several hours after its official designation.
Discovery and Designation
The comet was initially spotted in late March by Australian amateur astronomer Michael Mattiazzo, using data from the SWAN instrument aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft. SOHO, a joint project of the European space Agency (ESA) and NASA, constantly monitors the sun. The SWAN instrument is designed to map hydrogen in the solar wind, but it can also detect comets as they release hydrogen gas when heated by the sun.
Following further observations, the discovery was verified by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center, which officially designated it Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN).
Observing the Comet: A Narrow Window
For those in the Northern Hemisphere, including the United States, the window to observe Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) is relatively short. It was best visible in the pre-dawn hours, low on the eastern horizon. by approximately April 14th, the comet will have moved into the constellation Andromeda and be increasingly obscured by the morning twilight as it approaches the sun.
Dury noted the limited opportunity for observation from the UK, stating,
With weather and moon prospects, this was our best chance to observe from the UK.
After reaching perihelion,its closest approach to the sun,on May 1st,the comet will become primarily visible from the Southern Hemisphere.
To spot the comet, those in the U.S. should find a location with a clear eastern horizon, away from city lights. Binoculars or a small telescope are recommended. Online resources such as Sky & Telescope and Astronomy magazine offer up-to-date data and finder charts to help locate celestial objects.
The Significance of Comets
Comets are frequently enough referred to as “dirty snowballs” as they are composed of ice, dust, and rock. They are remnants from the early formation of our solar system, approximately 4.6 billion years ago. As a comet approaches the sun, its icy components vaporize, creating a visible coma (a cloud of gas and dust around the nucleus) and often a tail that can stretch for millions of miles.
Studying comets provides valuable insights into the composition of the early solar system and the conditions under which planets formed. Each comet has unique characteristics, offering a glimpse into the diverse materials and processes that shaped our cosmic neighborhood.
Dury eloquently described the importance of comets, stating:
Comets are a great celestial attraction — as these are opportunities to capture dirty snowballs; the oldest objects from the far edges of our solar system. Each takes on unique characters of their own in appearance and color,providing signals from the early formation of our place in the universe.
Josh Dury, Astrophotographer
Equipment used by Josh Dury
Josh Dury used the following equipment to capture images of Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN):
- Sony A7S II Camera
- Sigma 150-600mm Sport Lens (at 369mm focal length)
Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| designation | C/2025 F2 (SWAN) |
| Discovery Date | Late March 2025 |
| Discoverer | Michael Mattiazzo |
| Perihelion Date | may 1, 2025 |
| Visibility (Northern Hemisphere) | Until approximately April 14, 2025 |
| Visibility (Southern Hemisphere) | After May 1, 2025 |
