Comet C/2025 F2 SWAN (aka “SWAN25F”): an image – 8 Apr. 2025
At the beginning of this month, a comet was discovered in the field of view of the SWAN instrument aboard the Esa/Nasa SOHO spacecraft. Temporarily named “SWAN25F”, then officially C/2025 F2 SWAN, it is brightening and it will be visible with binoculars later this month. WE already imaged it.
C/2025 F2 SWAN: 8 Apr. 2025
UPDATES: now the comet was officially announced, receiving the formal designation C/2025 F2 SWAN. Our observations were included in the discovery Minor Planet Electronic Circular 2025-G102.
The image above comes from the sigma clipping combination of 14, 30-second exposures, remotely taken with the ARTEC250+Paramount ME+C3Pro61000EC robotic unit available as part of the Virtual Telescope Project facility in Manciano, Italy, under the darkest skies of the Italian peninsula (SQM=21.5). The comet was only 13 deg. above the North-Eastern horizon, during morning twilight. Several satellite trails are also visibile.
At the time of writing, the discovery of this comet has not been announced yet, as the Minor Planet Center is still collecting data (we contributed to this early phase), this is why for now this object is named “SWAN25F”, which is not an official designation. After the discovery announcement, the comet received the official designation C/2025 F2 SWAN.The object was spotted by Michael Mattiazzo, an experienced Australian comet observer, in the field of view of the SWAN instrument part of the SOHO space mission.
In the image above, the comet shows a nice ion tail, with fine structures. It increased its brightness significantly, since it was discovered. Comet “SWAN25F” will reach perihelion on 1 May 2025. Right now low in on the NE horizon at dawn, it will move in the evening sky and the last week of April should be an interesting object through binoculars.
We will continue monitoring this comet as long as possible.
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