An image captured on Bavária, Alemanha, shows a network of bright lines crossing the night sky. In the center of the composition, almost imperceptible at first glance, is the comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS). The photo is part of this Monday’s Astronomy Picture of the Day of Nasa.
The exhibition lasted more than ten minutes. Satellites in low orbit left continuous trails because of their movement during the capture time. The comet, in turn, registered as a diffuse point, as it moves much more slowly against the stellar background. The photo was taken just before sunrise two weeks ago.
Foto reveals comet close to Sol amid orbital light pollution
Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) completed its closest pass to Sol on April 19. At the time, the distance was about 0.5 astronomical units, equivalent to 75 million kilometers. Dois days later, on the 26th, the object passed within 0.49 AU of Terra, or about 73 million kilometers.
The proximity to Sol now makes it difficult to observe. The comet is angularly close to the star and should only reappear more clearly in the skies of the southern hemisphere in the coming weeks. Depois then heads into interstellar space and will progressively weaken.
- The comet was discovered in September 2025 by the PanSTARRS survey, on Havaí.
- Ele belongs to the Oort cloud and has a hyperbolic orbit, meaning it should not return to the inner solar system.
- In early April, the object reached an apparent magnitude of around 4.5, the threshold for naked-eye visibility in dark skies.
- The ionic tail measured at least seven degrees in some observations.
Satélites in low orbit creates challenge for astrophotographers
The increase in the number of satellite constellations, such as those of Starlink, has generated more tracks in long exposures. Astrônomos and photographers record the phenomenon with increasing frequency. In the featured image, the lines form a dense web over the Bavária landscape.
The author of the photo, Uli Fehr, used a telephoto lens and followed the movement of the sky. The result combines the fast movement of the satellites with the slower trajectory of the comet. Para To the casual observer, the satellites appear as slowly moving dots shortly after sunset or before dawn. Eles shine by reflecting sunlight.
Cometa has gained rapid shine in recent weeks
The object began to shine more brightly in March and April. Relatos indicate that it has been visible with 10×50 binoculars since late March. In mid-April, some observations recorded magnitude 5.1 with the naked eye under favorable conditions.
The passage through perihelion on April 19 increased the brightness of the dust tail by forward scattering of light. Depois solar conjunction on April 25, the comet migrated into the southern hemisphere morning sky. Lá, must offer the best visibility conditions before heading into deep space.
Imagem integrates Nasa’s daily series about the universe
Astronomy Picture of the Day has posted a different image every day since 1995. The April 27, 2026 photo highlights the contrast between human technology in orbit and an ancient visitor to the solar system. The comet traveled for about 170 thousand years from the cloud of Oort until it arrived close to Terra.
Especialistas track the behavior of comets like this to understand the chemical composition and evolution of objects in the outer solar system. C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) is not expected to return in time for future human observation.
Observação requires dark skies and patience
Quem wants to try to see the comet should look for places with a clear eastern horizon and dark skies. Binóculos or small telescope helps to identify the fuzzy object. Nos In the coming days, the southern hemisphere has the best opportunities. No Brasil, observers at more southern latitudes will have a greater advantage.
The photo serves as a record of the current moment of orbital traffic and a comet in transition. Ela remembers that the night sky, increasingly occupied by human artifacts, still holds surprises from far away.