Comet C/2025 R3 PANSTARRS becomes visible in Southern Hemisphere skies
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 4
Comet C/2025 R3 PANSTARRS becomes visible in Southern Hemisphere skies
6 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 4
The blue-green comet can be seen over New Zealand, Australia and South Africa for about two weeks using binoculars, a telescope or a camera lens.
Discovered in 2025, it was visible in the Northern Hemisphere last month before moving south as it continues its passage past Earth.
Astronomers say the long-period comet likely came from the Oort Cloud and may not return for about 170,000 years, making this a once-in-a-lifetime sighting.
Could this rare comet break apart before it even leaves our view, never to return?
What secrets of our solar system's birth could this 4.6-billion-year-old 'time capsule' unlock?