Rare Comet Visible Over Connecticut This Month: When, Where To Look

A rare comet passing through the inner solar system this month could be visible to early risers in Connecticut — but catching a glimpse may take some effort.

Comet C/2025 R3, also known as PanSTARRS, has been brightening in April as it moves closer to the sun and Earth, drawing attention from astronomers and skywatchers.

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The comet was first discovered in September 2025 by the Pan-STARRS survey telescope in Hawaii and is believed to originate from the distant Oort Cloud, a region at the edge of the solar system.

Astronomers say it follows an extremely long orbit, roughly 170,000 year.

“It’s about a four magnitude right now, and human eyes can see stars at six magnitude in a perfect dark sky,” said Dr. Quanzhi Ye, a planetary astronomer with Boston University and the University of Maryland. “But comets tend to be harder to see because they’re fuzzy. Four magnitude is probably a bit of a stretch for the naked eye, but it will be more easily visible with binoculars or small telescopes.”

While the comet may not be a once-in-a-generation spectacle, it is still notable.

“It’s a nice, decent comet,” Ye said. “It’s not those comet-of-the-century events, but it’s still bright, and if people want to get up early and have small binoculars, they can take a look at something that won’t return in our lifetimes.”

Comets at this brightness level don’t appear often, particularly in recent years.

“Comets with this brightness only appear a few times a year, and we are now in a bit of a comet drought — not that many bright comets have been appearing,” Ye said.

For Connecticut residents hoping to catch a glimpse, timing will be critical.

“This comet is tricky to catch because right now it is quickly approaching the sun as seen from Earth,” Ye said. “The best time to see it will be in these next two days, weather permitting. Monday morning in the Northeast might also be good.”

As the comet moves closer to the sun — reaching its closest point, known as perihelion, on Sunday — it will become increasingly difficult to see.

How To See The Comet In Connecticut

• When to look: Before sunrise, with the best chances in the next few days and possibly Monday morning, weather permitting.
• Where to look: Low in the eastern sky, about 10 degrees above the horizon.
• What you’ll need: Binoculars or a small telescope will give you the best chance of spotting it.
• What it will look like: A faint, fuzzy patch of light rather than a bright streak.
• Best conditions: Find a dark location away from city lights with a clear view of the horizon.

“Go to a location with a clear view of the east horizon, because this comet will be pretty low in the sky, about 10 degrees high tomorrow morning at dawn,” Ye said.

Astronomy apps and online comet finder charts can also help pinpoint where to look.

Not an early riser? NASA spacecraft are also tracking the comet. The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) releases updated images roughly every 30 minutes, offering a way to follow the comet’s path online.