This post will be updated from time to time as new information and comet development becomes available

Summary

• First identified by the Pan‑STARRS survey in September 2025 with its 1.8‑meter telescope atop Haleakalā in Maui, the comet later drew visual confirmation from veteran discoverer Alan Hale, who spotted it on 20 March 2026 using 10×50 binoculars at roughly magnitude 9.
• Its orbit is sharply tilted about 125° and its eccentricity slightly exceeds 1.0, suggesting it may be a first‑time visitor to the inner Solar System that will not return.
• A strong forward‑scattering geometry in late April, when the comet passes between Earth and the Sun, could significantly boost its apparent brightness.
• Forecasts remain unusually uncertain, with estimates ranging from magnitude 7–8 all the way to a dazzling –2.5, making this one of the most unpredictable comet brightness outlooks in recent decades.
• Live Comet Tracking is available: Comet Ephemeris

Update: April 11, 2026

A Celestial Visitor

Comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) represents a significant subject for astronomical observation in mid-2026. Discovered by the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (PANSTARRS), this comet follows a trajectory that brings it into the inner solar system, offering a window of visibility for both morning and evening observers

The cosmic wanderer was discovered on September 8, 2025, by the Pan-STARRS 2 telescope located at the Haleakalā Observatory in Hawaii. At the time of its discovery, the comet was extremely faint, with an apparent magnitude of approximately 19.8 – roughly 100,000 times fainter than what the naked eye can see.

It was found when it was still about 3.6 AU (approximately 540 million km) away from the Sun, well beyond the orbit of Mars. It is a long-period comet travelling on a steeply inclined retrograde orbit tilted about 125° to the ecliptic. This strongly suggesting an origin in the distant Oort Cloud. Its eccentricity exceeds 1.0, indicating that this may be a first-time visitor to the inner solar system that will never return,

Orbital Dynamics and Characteristics

Following its discovery, the comet has brightened significantly as it approaches its perihelion. The comet’s path is characterized by a close approach to both the Sun and Earth in April 2026. During this period, its distance from the Sun (perihelion) reaches a minimum of approximately 0.498 astronomical units (AU) or 75 million km around April 20, 2026.

Its proximity to Earth also peaks during late April, with its closest approach occurring at roughly 0.489 AU or 73 million km to Earth on April 26, 2026. As it nears these points (perihelion and perigee), its celestial brightness (magnitude) increases to 3.4, making it a more accessible target for telescopic and binocular even naked eye observation.

Although early estimates suggest the comet may brighten significantly, comet brightness is inherently unpredictable because these icy bodies can behave differently as they approach the Sun. Comets are made of dust, rock, and volatile ices. As they heat up, their activity can surge, stall, or even fade unexpectedly. Outbursts, fragmentation, or low volatile content can all cause a comet to appear brighter or dimmer than predicted. This is why astronomers treat brightness forecasts with caution, especially for newly discovered comets

Visibility Outlook from Brunei

Based on local ephemerides, the visibility of C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) from Brunei Darussalam follows a distinct transition from a morning object to an evening object during April and May 2026.

Above: A bright comet with a distinct sweeping tail rises against a star‑filled cloudy sky, captured from Brunei Darussalam in the early hours of 10 April 2026. The comet’s nucleus glows prominently at the center of the frame, while its tail fans upward. (Photo by Hazarry bin Haji Ali Ahmad / PABD)

Morning Observations (at 5:00 AM):
During early April – The comet is a pre-dawn object visible in the eastern sky. On April 10, the comet is located in the constellation Pegasus. According to Comet Observation Database (COBS), the observed magnitude of comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) is currently 5.1. It is expected to reach a naked-eye visibility of around +3 around its perihelion passage on April 20, 2026. Peak Morning Visibility – Its brightness improves through mid-April, reaching by April 20 at magnitude 3.4. After April 21, the comet’s altitude at 5:00 AM becomes negative as it begins its transition toward evening visibility, disappearing from the pre-dawn sky into the daylight. R3 comet and the Sun are in conjunction about 3.6° on April 25 at 8.20 pm (Brunei Time).

Evening Observations (at 6:45 PM):
As the comet moves past its closest approach, it becomes a prominent evening object in the western sky. Starting April 27, the comet appears at magnitude 3.7 above the horizon at 6:45 PM. Throughout May, the comet climbs higher in the sky at 6:45 PM but gradually fades. It moves through Eridanus (early May), Orion (mid-May), and eventually Monoceros. On May 10, it sits at an altitude of 27.4° in Orion with a magnitude of 6.6.

For observers in Brunei, the best views will come by facing the east‑north‑east before dawn in mid‑April, then shifting to the western sky after sunset from late April through May. While the comet is expected to remain brighter than magnitude 6, it may be visible to the naked eye in darker areas, though local light pollution will play a major role. By mid‑May onward, binoculars or a small telescope will become increasingly important for a clear view of the comet.

Comet Lemmon hit its maximum brilliance yesterday, November 8, 2025, at perihelion-its nearest point to the Sun.

At 79 million km (0.53 AU) from the Sun, Comet C/2025 A6 experienced intense solar heating that maximized the vaporization of its icy nucleus.

This sublimation process directly resulted in the comet’s most luminous coma and tail at its peak brightness, creating a truly spectacular display.

Ak Muhd Adi Zulhilmi Bin Pg Yakub, the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD)
November 08, 2025 at 7.00 pm
Tutong, Brunei Darussalam
Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM

Updated (November 02, 2025): Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon: A View from the Brunei Coast!

Bandar Seri Begawan – What an amazing sight! Local stargazers of The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) managed to capture a truly spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime photo yesterday evening, on November 01, 2025.

These images frame Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon low over the South China Sea. The coastline’s clear western horizon provided the perfect, unobstructed view needed to catch this long-period comet, which only visits our inner solar system once every 1,150 to 1,350 years.

It unexpectedly brightened this season, allowing it to be easily seen with binoculars and even photographed. Don’t forget to look up and try to spot this amazing visitor while you can!

Updated (October 25, 2025): Bright Comet Lemmon Visible from Brunei Twilight

Tutong – On the evening of October 25, 2025, Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon was successfully observed from Brunei Darussalam, despite intermittent cloud cover and lingering twilight. The comet appeared sufficiently luminous to be photographed even before the onset of full astronomical darkness, demonstrating its exceptional brightness and prominence in the northwestern sky.

The comet’s distinct greenish hue and extended tail were discernible above the horizon, offering a rare opportunity for local stargazers and astrophotographers. Its visibility under such conditions underscores the comet’s current magnitude and favourable positioning for Northern Hemisphere viewing.

Members of the public in Brunei Darussalam are encouraged to continue observing Comet Lemmon over the coming days as it is approaching close to the Sun. Comet can surprise observers with unpredictable brightening events, or outbursts, as they approach the Sun due to rapid sublimation of ices, structural changes in their nucleus, and variable dust release.

From Brunei Darussalam, optimal viewing occurs approximately 45 to 60 minutes after sunset, with the comet located low in the northwest horizon. Binoculars or small telescopes are recommended to enhance visibility, especially in areas affected by light pollution or partial cloud cover. (Read previous post below for more observing tips)

A comet is a small celestial body composed primarily of ice, dust, and rocky material that orbits the Sun. This ancient remnants from the early solar system develops a glowing coma and tail when heated, often visible from Earth as it passes through the inner solar system.

First Posted on: October 22, 2025

Bandar Seri Begawan – Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) has brightened to magnitude 3.9 (COBS), making it a stunning naked-eye visitor under pristine dark skies. Now drifting through the constellation Bootes and heading toward Ophiuchus, Lemmon passed closest to Earth on Oct 21 at a distance of 89.08 million km.

Starting this evening, Oct 22, until mid-Nov, Brunei skywatchers can catch this cosmic wanderer shortly after sunset. Look west from a location far from city lights with a clear horizon – Lemmon will appear as a faint, fuzzy glow with a tail stretching several degrees across the twilight sky. A small telescope or binoculars will enhance the view, but no equipment is needed if skies are dark and clear.

Use a compass to locate the western horizon. Then, refer to the Ephemeris table below to determine the approximate azimuth angle of the comet’s setting position as seen from Brunei Darussalam. The comet should appear very close to the horizon. Comet hunters in Brunei can also use a free online star chart (https://bruneiastronomy.org/starchart) to find out if the Lemmon is visible in the sky.

Astrophotographers, take note: Lemmon is forecast to peak around magnitude 4 in early Nov, likely becoming the brightest comet of 2025. Its long tail and evolving coma offer a rare opportunity to capture dynamic cometary features.

Discovered by the Mount Lemmon Survey on January 3, 2025, at a dim magnitude 21.5, it was initially mistaken for an asteroid. Precovery images from Pan-STARRS (Nov 2024) and follow-up observations confirmed its cometary nature, revealing a condensed coma and a short tail.

Last chance for a millennium: Comet Lemmon won’t return for over a thousand years. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a visitor from the outer reaches of our solar system.

Table: Ephemeris for C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) from Brunei Darussalam

More Update Soon….

Comet SWAN R2 is making its closest approach to Earth between October 12–19, 2025, shining possibly as bright as magnitude 5.8. With an estimated orbital period of 22,554 years, this is a once-in-a-lifetime sighting!

Bandar Seri Begawan – Discovered a week ago in September 2025 by the SWAN instrument aboard the SOHO spacecraft, Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2) is now visible from Brunei Darussalam shortly after sunset, low in the western sky near the constellation Virgo and near Mars.

It is currently barely visible to the eye with an apparent magnitude around +6 to +7. It may be glimpsed with binoculars or a small telescope, especially under dark-sky conditions away from city lights.

Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) presents a rare and extraordinary opportunity for observers in Brunei and around the world. Based on recent orbital calculations by NASA/JPL, this comet completes a revolution around the Sun approximately once every 22,554 years.

If the comet endures its solar passage, it is not expected to return until the year 24,579. According to the International Astronomical Union, its closest approach to Earth is anticipated between 12 and 19 October 2025.

Preliminary brightness estimates suggest it may reach magnitude 5.8, potentially making it visible with binoculars or digital imaging equipment under favourable conditions. However, as with all comets, its behaviour remains inherently unpredictable.

Photos by the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) on Sep 19, 2025, from Tutong, Brunei Darussalam.

Bandar Seri Begawan – Keep an eye out for Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, it may brighten to naked eye visibility as it arrives perihelion in April.

Comet Pons Brooks will be at its closest distance of 116.8 million km to the Sun on Sunday, April 21 2024. It thus reached its maximum brightness of magnitude 4.2, expected visible to the unaided eye.
Comets are so unpredictable for sudden flare-ups in brightness, so you might get a chance to catch sight for this spectacular show.

From Brunei Darussalam, the comet will set in the west-northwest, hovering about 10 degrees above the horizon in the evening twilight all through April.

Like other comets, 12P/Pons-Brooks is made of a mixture of ice and rocky materials. As it approaches the Sun, these volatile matters transform to gas and dust which cause an expansive cloud (coma) and a distinctive tail.

By the end of April, it then fades very rapidly and moves back out into space. Comet Pons-Brooks will take another 71 years for it to complete another full journey around the sun – a once in a lifetime experience to see the cosmic wanderer!

Is the comet up in the sky now? Use the ephemeris data below and the online live chart to track comet Pons-Brooks in Brunei via https://www.bruneiastronomy.org/starchart

Updated on 09 April 2024

A once-in-a-lifetime Green Comet spotted from Brunei for the first time in 70 years today, 09 April 2024.

A cosmic wanderer about triple the size of Mount Everest officially cataloged as 12P/Pons-Brooks is now visible in Brunei Darussalam for the first time in more than seven decades – and it won’t be returning again until 2095.

The comet was clearly captured even on a small digital (smartphone) camera, and should be an easy target using binoculars or a telescope. Comet 12P displays a bright fuzzy green colour coma and a fascinating tail.

It is currently visible very low on the western horizon in the evening twilight. It is expected to become even brighter in the coming weeks as the comet approaches the sun on April 21, 2024.

Updated on 12 April 2024

Last Chance to see Comet Pons-Brooks at its best before vanishes until 2095

The periodic Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is currently passing near the Sun, and it will come as close as 116.8 million km to the sun on April 21, 2024.

It is now viewable over in the west horizon in the evening twilight from Brunei Darussalam and will reach as bright as a stellar magnitude 4.0 which is within naked eye limit.

The extraterrestrial object should appear as a fuzzy green blob with a hazy tail as viewed from a small telescope or binoculars.

Wait for darkness (after 7.15 pm), it is a simple cosmic target to be photographed – Get out your tripod, attach a medium lens and point the camera towards the west horizon.

From the northern hemisphere, comet 12P will remain viewable for the next 1 or 2 weeks before disappearing into the bright sun’s glare and proceeding into the southern sky.

By May, the giant comet will fade rapidly as it moves towards the outer solar system and won’t approach the Earth again in the next 71 years.

Updated on 14 April 2024

Horned Comet in Bruneian skies

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is nicknamed as “devil comet” for its unusual pointy shape. Just a week before its closest approach to the Sun (perihelion), The comet was photographed last night, April 14, 2024, from Tutong, which evidently displayed two distinct “horns” of gas and ice.

Comet 12P is a Halley-type periodic comet with an orbital period of about 71.3 years. In 2024, the icy wanderer is speeding through the inner solar system and expected to reach its maximum brightness, potentially becoming visible to the naked eye during the perihelion.

However, bright twilight and moonlight may wash out the comet’s brilliance, so skywatchers may need binoculars or telescopes to catch a glimpse.

Eyes on the bright comet Leonard at its best and nearest in the evening skies!

This comet is visible even at nautical twilight (30 minutes after sunset) from Brunei Darussalam today, Dec 15, 2021. It will get higher in the sky each day in the coming days despite of the near full moon interference.

Thursday, 02 December 2021

A much-anticipated bright comet C/2021 A1 (Leonard) was seen through small telescopes and fairly easy to record with a camera today.

The comet was named after Gregory Leonard, who first discovered it early this year, January 2021.

Comet Leonard continues to pass closes to Earth by mid-December 2021 at a safe distance of 34,902,000 km. At that point, the comet could become bright enough to see with the unaided eye.

This morning, December 2, 2021, members of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) were conducting observations of this icy world and monitoring its development. These are the images:

Wednesday, 01 Dec 2021

Bandar Seri Begawan – Brightest Comet of The Year is coming this month & now is the time to watch it!

Comet C/2021 A1 Leonard is currently at magnitude 7 which is a binocular or small-telescope object and already sporting a green coma with an extended dust tail. This is what it looked like this morning from Tutong, Brunei Darussalam.

Leonard will get brighter as it passes closest to Earth on December 13, 2021. At a distance only 35 million kilometers from Earth (between orbit of Venus and Earth), the comet is expected to be seen with the naked eye in the morning sky in the coming weeks.

Comet’s Orbit

Comet Brightness

Key dates

Jan 3, 2021 Comet Discovery: According to Minor Planet Centre (MPC), IAU, Greg. J. Leonard the senior research specialist at Mount Lemmon Observatory reported the discovery of a comet in the images taken by Mt. Lemmon Survey (G96) telescope in 4 co-added 30s exposures on Jan. 3, 2021. He reported a condensed 10″ coma and 5″ broad tail extending towards position angle 250-270 deg.

Dec 03, 2021 Star Cluster & Comet Pair: Comet Leonard will pass right across the front of the bright globular cluster Messier 3 on the morning of the 3rd December, which will make for a great observing and imaging opportunity.

Dec 04, 2021 Naked Eye Visibility: Comet Leonard will be in constellation Bootes and rises about two hour before sunrise from Brunei Darussalam. By this date, the celestial visitor is a morning comet and should be an easy target using binoculars at dawn.

Dec 13, 2021 Closest to Earth: The closest approach of Comet Leonard (C/2021 A1) to Earth happens on Mon Dec 13 2021 at a distance of 0.233997 Astronomical Units (35,005,384 kilometers). It will be at super bright.

Dec 12-14, 2021 Daylight challenge: Observation will be a challenge as the comet is hidden by the glaring daylight.

Dec 15, 2021 Evening Comet: Leonard will become visible in the early evening sky after sunset from Brunei Darussalam.

Dec 17, 2021 Duo Spectacle: Don’t miss this chance to spot the comet just below Venus in the evening sky.

Dec 18, 2021: The comet will be 0.028 AU (4.2 million km) from Venus

Jan 03, 2022 Perihelion: The comet is currently heading sunward, toward its perihelion (closest point to the sun) on January 3, 2022. Comets are typically brightest around perihelion.

Ephemerides of Comet Leonard from Brunei Darussalam

More updates soon…

Comet Leonard Tweets

Summary:
Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) has survived its closest encounter with the Sun on Sat, July 4, 2020 in its journey through the Solar System
Currently, massive amount of Comet’s dust particles and water are vaporised by the Sun producing very bright coma and long tail which is visible to the naked-eyes
Comet is expected to make it’s appearance in the evening twilight from July 15, 2020 in Brunei Darussalam
Closest approach of Comet NEOWISE to Earth happens on Thursday, Jul 23 2020 at a distance of 0.69 AU, or 104 million km
The comet orbit takes around the sun about 7,000 years, it truly is a once in a lifetime event!
Use this live sky chart to locate the current comet position from our Brunei’s sky
PABD members will scout the comet. Join to share your comet photos from Brunei and latest comet discussion via our Telegram Channel t.me/bruneiastronomy and discussion group t.me/AstronomyBN

Update (Sunday, 26 July 2020)

Comet Neowise bids farewell this week. There are still time to capture the comet before it gets father away from us. NEOWISE’s brightness is rapidly fading and the bright moon is interfering with comet each night, washing out the display.

Members of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) had the privilege to be with Dr Ceri Powell, the Managing Director of Brunei Shell Petroleum, at House 49 in Panaga, Brunei Darussalam, for a stargazing session on July 26, 2020.

Being amongst the most influential women leader in oil and gas, Dr Powell is also an eco-activist who fascinates about the night sky. It was a golden opportunity to exchange ideas in astronomy/nature and snap this awesome group photo with a well-known scientist. It was not that difficult to capture this single shot photo with the comet in the background– simply a DSLR camera on a sturdy tripod [with a 50mm lens + some light + 5 seconds exposure + ISO1600 + clear sky]. The hardest part was to remain standstill for 5 seconds, repeat and hope for the best shot.

PABD had also organised the comet observation on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 in Tutong, Brunei Darussalam.

Update (Sunday, 19 July 2020)

Brilliant Comet NEOWISE C/2020 F3 made a rare appearance in the evening twilight from Brunei Darussalam today, July 18, 2020. Members of PABD sighted the comet at 7.30 pm this evening. The comet is an easy target for photography and through binoculars.

The comet is still easily visible until the end of July from Brunei Darussalam. You’ll need a very dark sky to spot it via naked eyes. It’s the most spectacular comet in years and once in a lifetime opportunity!

This comet is bright with a long tail that is clearly visible on a standard DSLR. Grab your camera and take this one-time opportunity to photograph the brightest comet since 1997 Hale-Bopp comet!

Update (Sunday, 02 July 2020):

Incredible comet NEOWISE will be visible in the evening sky from Brunei very soon! Currently, many northernmost observers and even from space/airplane have spotted the bright and spectacular comet. It is currently a naked eye object (magnitude 1.6 by COBS).

Here is an infographic on the anticipated comet to guide you seeing the spectacle:

Update (Sunday, 05 July 2020):

Evening Comet – If the comet maintains it’s brightness, behold for a spectacular display when the comet will be placed above the Northwest horizon after sunset by mid-July. It will be a good time to spot Neowise when it emerges from the Sun’s glare for northern hemisphere.

How to spot the Comet? The sky chart below will guide you to spot the comet from Brunei from July 15 until end of August 2020. Comet observers will need an unobstructed horizon (free of trees and building) and clear skies to the northwest to enjoy the spectacular display.

You can also use this live sky chart (www.bruneiastronomy.org/starchart/) to locate the current comet position from our Brunei’s sky.

The best time to observe the comet at night: Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) will make it’s closest approach to Earth on Thursday, July 23 2020 at 7:16 (local Brunei Time) at a distance of 0.69186842 Astronomical Units, or 103,502,043 kilometers.

It will be a spectacular sight in the evening, when the Comet joins the 3-day old moon crescent with best visibility for earthshine on July 23, 2020. Look Northwest just after the end of dusk and spot the entire moon orb glowing about 30° west of the shining Comet F3.

Don’t miss this opportunity: The orbit period of the comet takes around the sun is about 6,765 years. This means that it will come close to the Sun on June 24, 8786. Truly a once in a lifetime event!

Farewell to NEOWISE: As the comet gets higher everyday during end of July, it will continue to recede from the Sun while it’s brightness diminishes. The light curve chart below predicts the magnitude of Neowise which should maintain a naked eye object with magnitude less than 6 in the evening sky until early August.

Friday, July 03, 2020 – The recently discovered comet Neowise could become visible to the naked eye in the coming weeks as long as it does not fizzle out.

Unfortunately, Neowise will be positioned very close to the Sun in our sky and it is not observable in the following week of July 11 until 15, 2020. Use this ephemerids of Comet C/2020 F3 to find out the rise and set times and it’s celestial positions:

The comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3) is currently a naked eye object (magnitude 1.8 by COBS) and located very low in the North-Eastern horizon before sunrise. But hunting the comet from around Brunei will be a challenge at the moment as the comet will rise after astronomical twilight, when dawn ends and rapidly brightening the sky.

To attempt seeing the comet, go to a place with unobstructed view of sky in the morning twilight. Clear sky is a must! Binoculars will be handy too and use the chart above to locate the comet.

C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) is a retrograde comet with a near-parabolic orbit discovered on March 27, 2020 by the NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) space telescope. It will pass closest to the Sun on July 3, 2020.

Promising news about the comet Neowise: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/anticipation-grows-for-comets-neowise-and-lemmon/

Report your comet observation:
Members of PABD, please report your comet observations here:
Comet Observation Database (visual and CCD photometry) [ https://cobs.si/ ]
International Comet Quarterly (ICQ) (visual and CCD photometry) [ http://www.icq.eps.harvard.edu/ ]
Cometbase (visual and CCD photometry) [ http://195.209.248.207/ ]
CARA Project (af(rho) CCD photometry) [ http://cara.uai.it/ ]
British Astronomical Society (all observations) [ https://britastro.org/section_front/10 ]
The German Comet Group (all observations) [ https://fg-kometen.v….de/fgk_hpe.htm ]
Observación de Cometas de la LIADA (all observations) [ https://rastreadores…-observaciones/ ]
Astronomical Ring for Access to Spectroscopy (ARAS) (spectroscopy) [ http://www.astrosurf.com/aras/ ]

More Info

https://theskylive.com/c2020f3-info
http://www.cometwatch.co.uk/comet-neowise-c-2020-f3/
Heavens Above
https://in-the-sky.org/data/object.php?id=CK20F030

UPDATE (Thursday, 07 May 2020): A possible naked-eye outburst of Comet SWAN! Despite of bright moonlight and thin clouds, Comet C/2020 F8 (SWAN) is still visible from Brunei just before nautical twilight today, May 07, 2020 at 0520. The greenish coma is due to molecules of Cyanogen and Carbon gas ejected from the comet nucleus. In the following days, the comet is located very low on the Eastern horizon in early morning twilight, before it fades in full daylight next week.

Another comet observer, Abdul Waliyuddin, a member of Brunei Darussalam Astronomical Society (PABD), managed to capture the beautiful Comet Swan as it makes its way through our solar system. Waliyuddin said “The pre-dawn skies of Seria gave way to a clear view of the celestial ceiling this morning. It was spewing a tail of gas and dust that can extend up to hundreds of millions of kilometres away from its epicenter from Seria, Belait, Brunei Darussalam”

Comet SWAN was only discovered two months ago. There is much to be understood and learned from our skies. Whatever science tells us about the biology of our fingers will always be lesser than the true reality of the wonders of our finger. Likewise, whatever we know about our skies will always be lesser than the actual existential reality of the grandeur of space.

Wednesday, 06 May 2020: A green glowing fuzzy ball of Comet C/2020 F8 SWAN is unexpectedly bright with obvious tail at dawn today, May 06, 2020, from Brunei Darussalam. Currently in the constellation Pisces, the comet is visible in the twilight Eastern horizon from Brunei Darussalam until mid-May. Comet C/2020 F8 SWAN is at magnitude 6 (just visible to the unaided eye) under dark sky conditions, which is an easy target for digital camera and binoculars.

Friday, May 1, 2020, Bandar Seri Begawan – As Comet ATLAS disintegrates, Comet SWAN arrives. This was a single 8-second exposure photograph of Comet SWAN through a small refractor telescope taken on Friday, May 01, 2020 at 5:12 a.m. under cloudy condition from Tutong, Brunei Darussalam.

At the moment, naked eyes can see the comet only as a green fuzzball, with developing mini-tail, in the constellation Cetus and located above the East-Southeast horizon at predawn. By comparing the surrounding stars in the sky chart, the Comet is approximately at magnitude less than 6 which is just bright enough to be spotted by the human eye under dark sky or through a binocular for light polluted sky.

Much about Comet SWAN remains unknown. It was discovered just a few weeks ago, on April 11, 2020, when a sudden gases dump by the comet has made it show up in data from the spacecraft’s hydrogen-detecting instrument known as the Solar Wind Anistropies (SWAN).

Astronomers expect comet SWAN continues to become brighter as it moves towards the Sun (perihelion – on May 27, 2020 at 0.43 Astronomical Units); and more visible as it approaches closest to Earth on May 13, 2020 at 0.57 Astronomical Units, or 85,065,197 km.

Cometary luminosity is very hard to predict and no guarantees, as seen by what’s happened to Comet Atlas. But if the comet vaporizes well by sunlight and produces enough ejected gas and dust particles of tails, it would put the comet bright enough to be seen with the naked eyes.

How to spot comet SWAN from Brunei?

All eyes on the pre dawn sky for the brightening comet this coming weeks from early May until mid-May from Brunei. It will be best view at around 4.30 am when the comet rises on the Eastern horizon, but you’ll need an unobstructed horizon to observe the icy cosmic body. Use the sky chart below to locate the position of the comet in the sky. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

Join our Group discussion and share your comet photo via Telegram t.me/bruneiastronomy or WhatsApp www.bruneiastronomy.org/wa

For more update of this comet: https://theskylive.com/c2020f8-info and http://aerith.net/comet/catalog/2020F8/2020F8.html. Use the ephemeris of the
Comet for Brunei Darussalam from May 01 until June 30, 2020, to locate the comet below:

Terdahulu: Lintasan Komet ATLAS Bakal Menghiasi Ramadan 1441H

Bandar Seri Begawan – Fenomena langit yang dihiasi dengan sebutir ”bintang berekor” atau komet akan berlaku dalam bulan Ramadan tahun ini. Komet ATLAS (C/2019 Y4) pada saat ini sedang bergerak melintasi alam semesta dan dalam perjalanan mendekati Matahari serta sangat terang untuk dilihat dari Bumi.

Komet ini pertama kali ditemui oleh sekumpulan ahli astronomi daripada Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) di Hawaii pada 28 Disember 2019.

Pada dasarnya, komet adalah gumpalan bola ais yang mengandungi debu. Ketika mendekati Matahari, panasnya akan mengakibatkan lapisan ais tersebut mengewap serta mengeluarkan gas. Proses inilah yang menghasilkan koma atmosfera yang berwarna dan juga ekor komet yang memanjang.

Secara visual, objek astronomi C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) ini akan semakin cerah apabila mencapai jarak terdekat dengan Bumi (perihelion) pada 23 Mei 2020 iaitu sejauh 116,859,502 km dari Bumi; dan masa yang terbaik untuk mencerapnya adalah antara 7 hingga 14 hari sebelum dan selepas tarikh perihelion.

Dalam masa terdekat, objek ini boleh diamati dengan teleskop bersaiz kecil mahupun binokular sepanjang April dan berada dalam buruj Camelopardalis. Ia dijangka boleh dilihat dengan mata kasar sepanjang Mei dan terletak pada buruj Perseus selepas Maghrib (Lihat hasil cerapan komet oleh PABD pada Mac di sini). Setelah melepasi titik terdekat dengan bumi, komet ini akan muncul sebelum matahari terbit semasa Aidilfitri iaitu di sepanjang bulan Jun nanti. Ia akan bergerak semakin berada jauh dari bumi dan bergerak keluar sistem suria yang menyebabkan tahap kecerahan semakin berkurangan.

Kewujudan komet ini sekarang adalah masih awal untuk meramalkan nilai kecerahan sebenarnya. Ini kerana sifat komet lazimnya sangat kompleks dan mudah berubah, yang mana jasadnya mampu sahaja hancur dan menghilang kecerahannya dengan tiba-tiba apabila mendekati matahari. Dan bila-bila sahaja jua kecerahannya boleh memuncak di luar dari jangkaan. Namun pada masa ini, kebanyakan para pemerhati komet ini menjangkakan kecerahan yang sangat terang untuk dicerap dengan mata kasar dan mungkin sebanding dengan planet Zuhrah (Venus) nanti.

Ikuti perkembangan dan perbincangan mengenai komet ini melalui Telegram channel t.me/bruneiastronomy atau WhatsApp www.bruneiastronomy.org/wa

Ephemeris bagi Komet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) bagi bulan April hingga Jun 2020 untuk Brunei Darussalam:

Currently in the constellation of Ursa Major, the comet is easily spotted (~magnitude 9.5) and appeared as a fuzzy ball in a small telescope despite of bright moonlit sky last night (Mac 12, 2020). No clear sign of a comet tail at the moment.

Light curve of the comet: http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2019Y4/2019Y4.html and http://astro.vanbuitenen.nl/comet/2019Y4

Based on it’s light curves, if we are lucky it may turn out to be a bright naked eye comet in mid-May this year.

More info and updates of the comet: https://theskylive.com/c2019y4-info

Derived from debris plummeted by Comet Swift-Tuttle, it is always the most reliable shower of the year, delivering up to 100 bright and rapid meteors per hour at the peak. This year, the new moon phase at the peak will leave dark skies ideal for meteor watching.