A rare celestial spectacle is set to unfold in the early hours of Tuesday, offering skywatchers a chance to witness both a glowing comet and streaking meteors in the same sky. Astronomers say the brief visibility window of Comet Pan-STARRS coincides with the peak activity of the Lyrid meteor shower, making it one of the most exciting pre-dawn sky events of April.
The event provides a unique opportunity to observe the difference between a comet and so-called “shooting stars,” a comparison rarely possible in real time.
What Are ‘Shooting Stars’ and How Are They Different?Despite the popular term, “shooting stars” are not stars at all but meteors, small fragments of space debris that burn up upon entering Earth’s atmosphere. These bright streaks of light last only a second or two.
In contrast, Comet Pan-STARRS appears as a faint, misty glow with a visible tail that shifts gradually over several nights. While meteors flash across the sky, a comet lingers, offering a slower, more subtle display.
When and Where to WatchAstronomers recommend stepping out about an hour before sunrise on April 21 to catch the best view of Comet Pan-STARRS. The comet will be visible low on the eastern horizon, though its visibility window is limited to just a few days.
The comet is currently positioned in the constellation Pisces and is gradually descending into the brightening dawn sky, making each passing day more challenging for observation.
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An unobstructed eastern horizon, free from buildings or trees, is essential for a clear view.
How to Find Comet Pan-STARRSSkywatchers can locate Comet Pan-STARRS by first identifying the Great Square of Pegasus, a diamond-shaped pattern of four bright stars rising in the east.From there, focus on the lowest corner star, Algenib. The comet is expected to appear just below this point as a faint, diffuse patch of light. While it may be visible to the naked eye under very dark skies, experts suggest using binoculars, preferably 10×50, for a clearer view.
The comet currently shines at around magnitude +4.7, placing it on the threshold of naked-eye visibility.
Lyrid Meteor Shower PeaksAt the same time, the Lyrid meteor shower is approaching its peak, expected overnight between April 21 and 22. Under ideal dark-sky conditions, observers can expect to see around 15 to 20 meteors per hour.
The meteors appear to radiate from near the bright star Vega in the constellation Lyra. The best viewing time is after midnight and into the pre-dawn hours when the radiant point rises higher in the sky.
A Rare Cosmic VisitorDiscovered in September 2025 by the Pan-STARRS survey in Hawaii, Comet Pan-STARRS is believed to orbit the Sun roughly once every 170,000 years. It reached its closest point to the Sun, known as perihelion, on April 19.
By April 21, the comet will be about 78 million kilometres from the Sun and approaching Earth at approximately 79 million kilometres. However, despite moving closer, it will soon become invisible from the Northern Hemisphere due to its position relative to the horizon.
Observers in the Southern Hemisphere may get a better chance to view it later in April, shortly after sunset.
FAQsWhat is Comet Pan-STARRS? It is a long-period comet discovered in 2025 that orbits the Sun roughly every 170,000 years.Can Comet Pan-STARRS be seen without a telescope? It may be visible to the naked eye in very dark skies, but binoculars are recommended for clearer viewing.