## Topline
After being visible on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, two green comets are becoming easier to see – and more convenient. On Monday, oct.13, teh brighter comet, Lemmon (C/2025 A6), will shift from being a morning-only target to evening visibility as well, appearing low in the northwest about 90 minutes after sunset.The dimmer comet SWAN (C/2025 R2) will appear in the southwest just beneath the radiant star Sabik,making it relatively easy to try for. Both will remain binocular-only objects for now, but with a waning gibbous moon now rising late at night, both should become more prominent. They’re both expected to reach their brightest around Oct. 20-21, a date that coincides with a new moon and the Orionid meteor shower, potentially creating one of the best skywatching opportunities of the year.
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## Key Facts
* There are two comets currently observable in binoculars – the brightest, Comet Lemmon, before sunrise and after sunset in the northern sky and Comet SWAN after sunset in the southwestern sky. As of its far-northern path, Comet Lemmon now appears on both sides of the northern sky between dusk and dawn.
* The best time to view both comets in one session is 90 minutes after sunset. However, Comet Lemmon can also be seen 90 minutes before sunrise.
* You’ll need a pair of binoculars to see either comet, with 8×42 and 10×50, or similar, the best option. Both comets will appear as small, diffuse patches in a pair of binoculars, changing position slightly each day. Those observing in dark sky places far from streetlights and urban light pollution will have the best views of both comets.* A good way to find the location of the comets in your sky is to use the finder charts at [In-The-Sky.com](https://in-the-sky.org/findercharts.php?id=273530&town=5128581) or stargazing apps such as Sky Guide, Stellarium and SkySafari.* The [Comet Observation database](https://cobs.si/home/) reports Comet Lemmon to be shining at magnitude +5.7 and comet SWAN a little dimmer at magnitude +6.
* Lemmon and SWAN are the first comets visible in binoculars since Comet tsuc## How To Photograph A Comet
To photograph a comet, use either a smartphone or a manual mirrorless/DSLR camera on a tripod. Smartphones in “night” or “pro” mode can capture long exposures – enable RAW mode if available. With a DSLR and a 50-105mm lens,start with ISO 800-1600,aperture f/2.8-f/4, and a shutter speed of 2-5 seconds. In light-polluted areas,raise ISO slightly and shorten exposures.Use binoculars to locate the comet before framing your shot. Focus manually on a bright star using live-view magnification or set to infinity. Even if the comet’s tails aren’t visible to the naked eye,they’ll probably appear in your images.
*Check my feed* every day this month for a daily “comet tracker” with finder charts and tips for viewing Comet Lemmon from mid-northern latitudes.
## Further Reading