A newly discovered comet, C/2025 V1 Borisov, is speeding through speeding through the solar system between the Earth and interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, drawing attention from astronomers worldwide. The object was recently observed with a brightness, or magnitude, of 13.8, and a coma spanning 2.3 arcminutes, according to the Comet Observers Database (COBS).
Its closest approach to Earth will occur on 11 November 2025, when it passes at a distance of about 103 million kilometres (0.68 AU), which is safely distant, yet close enough to provide excellent observation opportunities.
BREAKING🚨: Astronomers have detected a mysterious new object C/2025 V1 Borisov, moving between 3IATLAS and Earth with no tail pic.twitter.com/3mKeuh5N6F
— All day Astronomy (@forallcurious) November 7, 2025 A Peculiar Absence Of A Tail
Unlike many comets, C/2025 V1 Borisov appears to lack a prominent tail, which has stirred curiosity and, inevitably, online speculation. Some enthusiasts have linked it to another space traveller, interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, which has also been the subject of dramatic theories.
Astronomers, however, say there’s no mystery at all. The comet’s subdued appearance is likely due to its composition and distance from the Sun, which means it has not yet developed the glowing tail typical of highly active comets. Scientists confirm that C/2025 V1 Borisov originates within our own Solar System, most likely from the distant Oort Cloud.
Key Orbital Details
According to the JPL Small-Body Database, Borisov’s orbit has an eccentricity of 1.00958273 and an inclination of 112.7°, meaning it follows a highly elongated and steep path around the Sun. It will reach its perihelion, the point closest to the Sun, on 16 November 2025, just days after its nearest approach to Earth.
The comet is currently about 106 million kilometres away, with light taking nearly six minutes to reach us. From the UK, it rises around 4:01 a.m., reaches its highest point near 10:01 a.m., and sets by 4:03 p.m.
Where To See It
Although faint and requiring a telescope, the comet’s position in Virgo makes it a viable target for experienced skywatchers. Various observatories and astronomy platforms have released interactive star maps to help locate it as it brightens towards mid-November.
With its approach and subsequent solar encounter still ahead, C/2025 V1 Borisov promises to be one of the more intriguing cosmic events of the season, not for the mysteries it hides, but for the science it reveals about our Solar System’s icy wanderers.
Published by Kerry Harrison
Kerry’s been writing professionally for over 14 years, after graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Multimedia Journalism from Canterbury Christ Church University. She joined Orbital Today in 2022. She covers everything from UK launch updates to how the wider space ecosystem is evolving. She enjoys digging into the detail and explaining complex topics in a way that feels straightforward. Before writing about space, Kerry spent years working with cybersecurity companies. She’s written a lot about threat intelligence, data protection, and how cyber and space are increasingly overlapping, whether that’s satellite security or national defence. With a strong background in tech writing, she’s used to making tricky, technical subjects more approachable. That mix of innovation, complexity, and real-world impact is what keeps her interested in the space sector.