Rare comet to flash through New Zealand skies – before it disappears for 170,000 years
Summary
A comet named C/2025 R3 PanSTARRS will be visible in the southern sky over the next two weeks, including in New Zealand, before it disappears for about 170,000 years. The comet comes from the outer edge of the solar system and can be seen with binoculars or a telescope just after sunset near the western horizon.Key Facts
- C/2025 R3 PanSTARRS is a comet from the Oort Cloud, far beyond the solar system.
- It was discovered in 2025 and takes about 170,000 years to orbit the sun.
- The comet moved from the northern to the southern hemisphere and is now visible in places like New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
- People need binoculars, a telescope, or a camera to see it; it is not bright enough to see with the naked eye.
- The best time to see the comet is just after sunset, low on the western horizon.
- The comet appears as a blue-green fuzzy ball with a tail, called the coma and tail.
- The comet’s brightness will fade over two weeks, so viewing should happen soon.
- The comet might lose mass or break apart, which could change its orbit or even push it out of the solar system.
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