Comet Lemmon Shines Over Lomnický Peak in a Stunning Celestial Display
Comet Lemmon has captured the attention of skywatchers around the globe — and for good reason. In early November 2025, the photogenic comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) made a breathtaking appearance as it swept past Earth, glowing brilliantly above the iconic Lomnický Peak in Slovakia’s High Tatra Mountains. This extraordinary moment, immortalized as the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) on November 4, showcases the comet in one of its most dazzling forms.
During its late October approach, Comet Lemmon revealed not one but two striking tails. The first is a slender, electric-blue ion tail, formed as charged particles from the solar wind pushed ionized gases away from the comet’s glowing coma. At its peak, the ion tail stretched an astonishing length — more than 20 times the diameter of the full Moon — as seen in the long-exposure image captured by astrophotographer Robert Barsa.
Complementing it is the comet’s wider, softer white dust tail, made of tiny particles reflecting sunlight as they drift behind the comet’s path. Together, these two tails created a dramatic, dual-stream spectacle that lit up the night sky.
The featured image places this celestial beauty behind Lomnický Peak, one of the highest summits of the High Tatras and home to the renowned Lomnický Štít Observatory. The rugged mountain silhouette against the glowing tails of Comet Lemmon forms a natural frame that enhances the sense of scale and cosmic wonder.
Although Comet Lemmon is now fading as it continues its journey away from Earth, its recent close pass offered a rare opportunity to witness its brilliance. The comet will round the Sun later this week, marking the next stage of its long voyage through the solar system.
For astronomers, photographers, and sky enthusiasts alike, the appearance of Comet Lemmon above Lomnický Peak is a reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing beauty of our universe — a sky show that will be remembered long after the comet has passed from view.