Comet R3 PanSTARRS and Orion

Explanation: Orion never had a sword like this. As Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) heads out of the inner Solar System, it is putting on quite a show for long exposure cameras . Currently seen toward the constellation of Orion the Hunter , the distant Orion Nebula is visible on the upper right. Comet R3 PanSTARRS is now showing two distinct tails : a short dust tail pointing toward the top of the image and a long and wavy ion tail trailing off toward the upper left. The ion tail points away from the Sun and glows blue from excited carbon monoxide . Large particles in the dust tail somewhat resist the radiation pressure that push them away from the Sun and so retain a bit of the comet's orbit. The dust tail shines by reflected sunlight . The featured image was taken a few days ago from France 's Reunion Island in the southern Indian Ocean .

Growing Gallery: Comet R3 PanSTARRS in 2026