Stargazing is nice and all, but spotting comets is way more exciting. Next week, Metro Vancouverites will be able to spot some of the best comets of the year– but only if they’re in a dark enough area.
COMET LEMMON AND COMET SWAN ABOVE METRO VANCOUVER
Coming to Metro Vancouver’s skies is Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2). These frozen bits of leftovers from the solar system’s formation are much-loved for their iconic streaming tails, which are created by heating up as they approach the sun.
What’s especially notable about these comets are the fact that they’re green, which are produced by their surfaces’ gases. Moreover, seeing two comets together– without any specialized equipment– is quite rare.
Metro Vancouverites will be able to spot them with a pair of binoculars, but it’ll be difficult if you’re not in an optimally dark area.
HOW AND WHERE TO SEE THE COMETS
Comet Lemmon will be visible during sunset close to the horizon to the northern sky. Comet SWAN will be in the same area, but just off to the southwest. They’re both currently visible in the sky as of now, but they won’t be their brightest until next week.
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For optimal viewing, head to one of The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s (RASC) favourite sky-watching spots in Metro Vancouver. Just be sure to bring either a pair of binoculars or a telescope to get the best look at the comets.
- Aldergrove Regional Park
- Boundary Bay
- Campbell Valley Regional Park
- Cypress Mountain
- David Lam Park
- Hope Slide
- Spanish Banks
- Trottier Observatory at SFU
The pair will be at their brightest on October 21. After that, they’ll start to get dimmer with each day. To catch a glimpse of each comet in Metro Vancouver, be sure to head to where there’s little light pollution and watch the skies carefully.
