Look up! You might see rare comet PanSTARRS passing Earth this week

A newly discovered comet, comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS), which appears to have been traveling in the solar system since September, is set to make a debut in the Northern Hemisphere this month, says NASA. The comet will be visible for a very short time, about two hours before sunrise, now until April 21. Then days later, on April 26, it will make its closest approach to Earth. The comet will pass us at a distance of 45.5 million miles.

The comet is predicted to reach its maximum brightness at this time, potentially making it visible to the unaided eye.

Comet R3 PanSTARRS' path as it passes Earth

The image below shows the predicted course of comet R3 PanSTARRS as it approaches Earth. The comet will pass between Mercury and Venus in the last days of April.

The comet is believed to orbit the sun approximately every 170,000 years and was found in September 2025 by the Pan-STARRS survey in Hawaii.

Where can you view Comet R3 PanSTARRS in the sky?

The best time to catch a glimpse of comet R3 PanSTARRS will be between now and April 20, according to Space.com.

The comet is expected to brighten quickly as it gets closer to perihelion (its closest point to the sun) on April 19–20. For the best viewing experience, scan the lower portion of the eastern sky with binoculars, approximately 90 minutes before sunrise, according to Space.com.

When is the next celestial activity?

If your unable to view comet C/2025 R3, sky watchers can prepare for two cosmic spectacles this spring.

• The Lyrid meteor showers are active from April 17-26 and will peak on April 21-22.
• The Eta Aquariid meteor showers are active from April 15-May 27 and will peak on May 5.