Description:The Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) is an icy celestial body discovered at the end of March 2025 thanks to the SWAN instrument (Solar Wind Anisotropies) aboard the SOHO space observatory. This comet stands out for being non-periodic, meaning it does not follow a closed orbit around the Sun like other well-known comets and might be visiting the inner solar system for the first time—or perhaps for the last.
As it approaches the Sun, the surface of C/2025 F2 releases gases and dust, forming a bright coma and a visible tail that have captivated both professional astronomers and sky enthusiasts. Its appearance not only offers a spectacular view but also presents a unique opportunity to study the primordial conditions of our solar system.
History: The story of C/2025 F2 (SWAN) began almost by chance at the end of March 2025, when amateur astronomers detected a bright anomaly in the images captured by SWAN, an instrument designed to study the interactions between solar wind and cometary atmospheres. Over time, SWAN has also proven to be an invaluable tool for discovering new celestial objects.
Following the initial detection, observatories around the world confirmed the comet’s presence and calculated its preliminary orbit, officially designating it as C/2025 F2. The “SWAN” suffix honors the instrument that enabled its discovery, following the tradition of naming comets after their finders.
Due to its hyperbolic or highly open trajectory, this comet is considered a one-time visitor to our solar system. This likely means it will never return near Earth, making its 2025 appearance a truly unique event.
Its discovery comes during a period of heightened astronomical activity, reigniting public and scientific interest in exploring celestial bodies that connect us with the very origins of the cosmos.
