Overview

• Closest approach occurs on October 21 at roughly 55–56 million miles from Earth, with perihelion on November 8 near 49–50 million miles from the Sun.
• The best viewing window runs October 19–21 during the new moon and Orionid peak, with the comet low in the northwest after sunset and visible again before dawn.
• Brightness estimates diverge, with JPL modeling around magnitude 6.7 and ground reports from COBS and observers between about 4.9 and 5.7, putting it near naked-eye range under dark skies.
• Spectroscopy shows a vivid green coma caused by diatomic carbon and both dust and gas tails becoming more pronounced as solar heating increases.
• SETI, the Minor Planet Center, and observatories are actively monitoring its activity, and scientists confirm the comet poses no risk to Earth.