A Rare Comet Makes Its Closest Approach to Earth Soon—Here's How to See It

Grab your binoculars and look up at the night sky this week for the opportunity to see something truly remarkable—Comet C/2025 R3 will make its closest approach to Earth.

Comet C/2025 R3 is an Oort Cloud comet that was discovered in September 2025. The comet was captured by the Ritchey-Chretien telescope at Haleakala, Hawaii, as part of PanSTARRS, the largest single research project at the Institute for Astronomy.

While the best chance to see the comet was on April 17 when it reached perihelion (the point in a celestial object's orbit when it is closest to the Sun) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) notes that it should be visible throughout the rest of the month.

Related Stories

Every Major Meteor Shower of 2026 in the US—And the Best Nights to Watch

A Major Pollen Surge Is Coming—These 20 US Cities Will Be Hit Hardest

According to NASA, some people think Comet C/2025 R3 could be the brightest comet of the year. Although it has already made its closest approach to the sun, it will be closest to Earth on April 27th, coming within 44 million miles of our planet. 

Astronomers predict that skywatchers will need binoculars or other equipment to spot the comet. To catch a glimpse of this rare celestial object while you still can, look in the eastern sky in the constellations Pegasus and above Pisces. NASA states that you will be able to spot the comet in the predawn hours until the end of April in the Northern Hemisphere. For those in the Southern Hemisphere, Comet C/2025 R3 will be visible in the evenings in early May.