Missions

Find up-to-the-minute visibilities and deeplinks for comet targets on the Comet Ephemeris page.

MISSION R3

C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) is a long-period comet discovered on September 8, 2025, by the Pan-STARRS survey in Hawaiʻi. It reached perihelion in mid-April 2026, when forward scattering helped boost its apparent brightness, making it visible in binoculars and even to the naked eye under very dark skies. The comet is now receding from the inner solar system and gradually fading. Continued observations will help reveal the full picture of its activity and how it evolved throughout its passage.

To observe your target:

Use your smartphone to generate a Deep Link with our comet ephemeris tool. Make at least one recording.For detailed instructions, see the Tutorial → During Observation → B. The Comet is NOT in the App Catalog.

MISSION A6

Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) was initially expected to remain faint during its passage through the inner solar system, but it surprised astronomers in 2025 with a sudden surge in brightness. The comet became visible to the naked eye around its closest approach to Earth on October 21, 2025, and remained a striking target as it approached perihelion on November 8, 2025. Continued monitoring will be essential for understanding the cause of its rapid brightening and tracking how its activity evolves through the rest of its apparition.

To observe your target:

Use your smartphone to generate a Deep Link with our comet ephemeris tool. Make at least one recording.For detailed instructions, see the Tutorial → During Observation → B. The Comet is NOT in the App Catalog.

MISSION 29P

29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 is a Centaur/comet transition object known for frequent outbursts. By monitoring 29P, observers may catch an outburst in progress and help constrain the mechanisms that drive these sudden increases in brightness. Even when the comet is faint, occasional monitoring remains valuable in case it undergoes a brighter event.

To observe your target

Select your comet from the App Catalog (see the Tutorial → During Observation → A. The Comet is in the Catalog).

In the Recording field, enter the following settings:

Record duration: 20 min

Exposure time: 3971 ms

Gain: 25 db

Make at least 2 recordings.

NEW HERE?

New here? Head to our Tutorial for guidance on how to master your Unistellar telescope to become a Comet Watcher.
If you have any questions please contact us at citizenscience@unistellaroptics.com.