Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemon) Approaches Earth, Could Be Visible to the Naked Eye

Skywatchers around the world are preparing for a rare celestial event this month as a newly discovered comet, nicknamed “Lemon”, makes its way closer to Earth.

The comet, officially designated C/2025 A6 (Lemon), was first detected on January 3 by astronomers at the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter in Arizona’s Santa Catalina Mountains.

Hurtling into the inner solar system at an estimated 209,000 km/h, the comet is already drawing attention for its striking greenish glow, caused by diatomic carbon in its gaseous halo.

Astronomers classify Lemon as a non-periodic comet, meaning its orbital cycle is irregular and exceptionally long. 

Current calculations suggest it takes roughly 1,350 years to complete one journey around the Sun, spending most of its time in the distant Oort Cloud at the edge of the solar system.

The comet will make its closest approach to Earth on October 21, at a distance of about 90 million kilometers. 

Just weeks later, on November 8, it will reach perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, before beginning its long return to the outer reaches of space.

Recent telescope images show Lemon glowing with a luminous green hue, leading some observers to describe it as resembling a glowing citrus fruit in the night sky. 

As it nears the Sun, the comet’s brightness is expected to increase as its surrounding dust and gas cloud expands, reflecting more sunlight.