A remarkable celestial event has left a photographer feeling incredibly fortunate. Steve Fearn, a 52-year-old from Lincolnshire, UK, captured a stunning image of Comet Lemmon, also known as C/2025 A6, as it graced the skies above the iconic Lancaster bomber sculpture in Norton Disney. This unique moment has sparked a buzz of excitement among stargazers and photography enthusiasts alike.
But here’s where it gets controversial… or at least, a little mysterious. Along with the comet, Fearn’s photograph also reveals a grey light streaking across the sky, which he believes to be fuel from a Space X rocket. This adds an intriguing layer of complexity to the image, leaving some to wonder about the true nature of this mysterious light.
“Comet Lemmon is a real treat for the eyes,” Fearn explains. “Its distinctive blue ion tail makes it stand out, and capturing it was incredibly satisfying.” He goes on to describe the challenges he faced due to recent weather conditions, but his determination paid off, resulting in this remarkable shot.
For those unfamiliar with comets, they are essentially massive balls of ice, dust, and rock that orbit the sun. Their most distinctive feature is their long tails, which can be seen stretching across the night sky. Fearn’s image showcases this beautifully, capturing the essence of this celestial wonder.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have captured this moment,” Fearn adds. “Using a tracking mount, I was able to counter the Earth’s rotation and follow the comet’s path, which was no easy feat given the recent weather.
Fearn’s expertise in astrophotography is evident, as he has previously captured images of Comet Neowise and Comet Atlas. His passion for capturing these celestial events is clear, and his dedication has paid off with this stunning image of Comet Lemmon.
Comet Lemmon made its closest approach to Earth on October 21st, at a distance of 56 million miles (90 million km). It is expected to remain visible into the start of November, offering stargazers and photographers alike a chance to witness and capture this rare phenomenon.
So, what do you think? Is Fearn’s interpretation of the grey light accurate, or could there be another explanation? And how many of you are inspired to try your hand at astrophotography after seeing this stunning image? Let us know in the comments below!