When will comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) be visible?

Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) will be visible before sunrise until April 21, with its closest approach to Earth on April 26.

How far will comet R3 PanSTARRS pass Earth?

Comet R3 PanSTARRS will pass Earth at a distance of 45.5 million miles.

What is the orbital period of comet R3 PanSTARRS?

Comet R3 PanSTARRS is believed to orbit the sun approximately every 170,000 years.

Home / Science / New Comet to Grace Northern Skies This Month

New Comet to Grace Northern Skies This Month

15 Apr

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Summary

Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) will be visible before sunrise until April 21.
It makes its closest Earth approach on April 26 at 45.5 million miles.
Comet R3 PanSTARRS orbits the sun approximately every 170,000 years.

New Comet to Grace Northern Skies This Month

A newly discovered comet, C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS), is set to make a temporary appearance in the Northern Hemisphere's sky. This celestial object, which has been traveling in our solar system since September, will be visible for a short period before sunrise each day until April 21. Observers can look forward to its closest approach to Earth on April 26, when it will be approximately 45.5 million miles away.

During its closest approach, comet R3 PanSTARRS is predicted to reach its maximum brightness, potentially making it visible without optical aid. The comet's path will take it between Mercury and Venus in the final days of April. This rare visitor has an estimated orbital period of about 170,000 years around the sun and was initially detected in September 2025 by the Pan-STARRS survey located in Hawaii.