Comet Lemmon Making Closest Approach to Earth, To Be Seen between Oct. 23 and Nov. 2

The Yomiuri Shimbun

14:47 JST, October 17, 2025

Comet Lemmon, discovered in January, is approaching Earth, giving skywatchers a precious opportunity to observe it.

On Friday, the comet was observed from the Asagiri Plateau in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture. It appeared near the foot of Mt. Fuji before dawn, leaving behind a faint green glowing trail.

Comet Lemmon was first discovered in an image taken by the observatory at Mt. Lemmon in Arizona. According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the comet will make its closest pass to Earth later this month. It is expected to be visible low in the western sky about an hour after sunset between Oct. 23 and Nov. 2.

The use of binoculars or a telescope is recommended as the comet is difficult to spot with the naked eye.

The next time the comet will make its approach to Earth will be in about 1,100 years.