Watch a bright comet photobomb the sun on a space weather camera
Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) briefly appeared in images captured by NOAA's GOES-19 satellite, which primarily monitors solar activity and space weather. The comet made its closest pass to the sun in April 2026, with astronauts on the International Space Station also observing it. While not a space weather event, the comet's appearance highlights unexpected celestial phenomena visible from Earth-orbiting instruments.
- ▪Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) was captured by NOAA's GOES-19 satellite as it made its closest approach to the sun.
- ▪The GOES-19 satellite is primarily designed to monitor solar activity and potential space weather threats to Earth.
- ▪Astronauts aboard the International Space Station observed the comet above Earth's horizon before an orbital sunrise on April 17, 2026.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Home > Science > Space Watch a bright comet photobomb the sun on a space weather camera Comet C/2025 R3 just made its closest pass. By Elisha Sauers Elisha Sauers Elisha Sauers writes about space for Mashable, taking deep dives into NASA's moon and Mars missions, chatting up astronauts and history-making discoverers, and jetting above the clouds. Through 17 years of reporting, she's covered a variety of topics, including health, business, and government, with a penchant for public records requests. She previously worked for The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia, and The Capital in Annapolis, Maryland. Her work has earned numerous state awards, including the Virginia Press Association's top honor, Best in Show, and national recognition for narrative storytelling.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Mashable.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Mashable
