Astronomers in the U.S. are closely tracking a rare comet, C/2025 K1 (ATLAS), which is proving to be something quite special.
While comets typically appear green or sometimes blue in sunlight due to their different elements and chemical compositions, this unusual comet displays a striking golden color.
“This comet was not supposed to survive its October 8th perihelion at 0.33 AU,” said astronomer Dan Bartlett, who has been observing the comet from June Lake, California. “But it did survive, and now it is displaying a red/brown/golden color rarely seen in comets.”
Perihelion refers to the point in an object’s orbital path when it is closest to the Sun.
C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) is an Oort Cloud comet first discovered in May 2025 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). According to David Schleicher of the Lowell Observatory, who shared his findings on The Astronomer’s Telegram, “All of the carbon-bearing species, including CN, are unusually low compared to OH, based on our Lowell database of comet compositions.” Only two other comets have been found to have lower ratios of carbon to hydroxide ions.
Earlier reports suggested the comet might disintegrate during its close approach to the Sun. However, since it survived perihelion, it has the potential to become a bright object visible through binoculars throughout the fall and winter seasons—which, as current observations confirm, is now the case.
“The comet is fairly impressive at 9th magnitude,” noted Bartlett, who observed it from his own backyard. According to spaceweather.com author Tony Phillips, this brightness makes it easy to spot with a telescope from your backyard as well.
Phillips recommends, “Point your optics to the boundary between Virgo and Leo in the eastern sky shortly before sunrise” for the best viewing experience.
Keep an eye on this rare golden comet as it continues its journey through our solar system!
https://www.newsweek.com/astronomers-tracking-rare-golden-comet-how-to-see-from-backyard-10983529
