A rare visitor has appeared in the skies above Oman. Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN, an object with an orbital period exceeding 20,000 years, has been sighted and photographed by the Oman Society of Astronomy and Space (OSAS), marking one of the most remarkable astronomical events of late 2025.The Oman Society of Astronomy and Space has successfully tracked and captured images of Comet SWAN in the Sultanate’s night skies. Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Vice Chairman of OSAS, explained that this observation is part of the society’s ongoing commitment to monitor and document significant celestial phenomena.Al Mahrouqi highlighted that Comet SWAN is an irregular, non-periodical comet originating from the distant reaches of the solar system. Its long orbital period, exceeding 20,000 years, ensures that its current appearance is unlikely to be witnessed again for millennia, making it an exceptionally rare event.Al Mahrouqi further noted that the comet was initially discovered on 11 September 2025 by Ukrainian amateur astronomer Vladimir Bezugly, using images captured by the SWAN (Solar Wind Anisotropies) instrument aboard the SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) space observatory. The discovery was confirmed the following day by astronomer Martin Macek through observations with the FRAM telescope in Chile. The SWAN instrument, primarily designed to study the solar wind, has previously contributed to the discovery of other comets.
Comet’s path and visibility
The comet reached its closest point to the Sun on 12 September 2025, at a distance of 0.5 astronomical units (AU). It then made its nearest approach to Earth on 20 October 2025, at 0.261 AU, equivalent to approximately 39 million kilometres.In early November, Comet SWAN will be visible in the constellation Aquarius as it moves gradually away from Earth. During October, the comet reached a peak brightness of magnitude 6 to 7. Its luminosity is expected to decline throughout November, reaching a magnitude of 8.2 to 10.75. Observers will require binoculars or a small telescope to see the comet clearly from dark, light-free locations.
Local engagement and imaging
Oman’s astronomers have actively contributed to documenting this rare event. Al Jalandi bin Masaud Al Rawahi, also from OSAS, successfully observed and photographed Comet SWAN from a dark-sky area within Muscat Governorate. These efforts form part of the society’s broader mission to track, record, and share significant astronomical occurrences visible from Oman.Al Mahrouqi emphasised that the comet’s appearance is not only an opportunity for scientific observation but also a reminder of the vast temporal scales of the solar system, with some phenomena returning only once in tens of thousands of years.
