Rare Lemmon Comet Set to Dazzle UAE Skies This October

A rare celestial event is set to light up the skies over the UAE and much of the world this October, as the Lemmon Comet (C/2025 A6) becomes visible to the naked eye for the first time in over a millennium.

Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society and a member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, announced that the comet will be visible from October 17 to 20. He advises enthusiasts to observe from dark, clear locations away from city lights and atmospheric disturbances to catch the best views. 

Discovered on January 3, 2025, by the Mount Lemmon Survey Observatory in Arizona, USA, the comet’s brightness has surged from a faint +21.5 magnitude to between +5.5 and +6.5  making it potentially visible with small telescopes, binoculars, or even the naked eye under optimal conditions.

The comet will make its closest approach to Earth on October 21, at about 0.59 astronomical units (88.3 million kilometers), before reaching perihelion the closest point to the Sun on November 8.

Between October 10 and 18, viewers can spot the comet below the Ursa Major constellation as it moves toward Boötes. By October 20, during the new moon, the comet will appear near the bright star Arcturus, about 20 degrees above the western horizon just after sunset, setting around 7:40 p.m. local time.

Adding to the skywatching excitement, residents of the UAE will also witness the Orionid meteor shower on October 20. Originating from debris left by Halley’s Comet, the shower will paint the sky with bright streaks and occasional faint hissing sounds as meteors burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.

For the best experience, experts recommend heading to locations with minimal light pollution and clear weather. Whether you’re an experienced astronomer or a casual stargazer, October promises spectacular night sky displays you won’t want to miss.