Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) Crossing the Star-Forming Regions of the Milky Way

I captured Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) from the mountainous region of the United Arab Emirates as it passed in front of one of the richest regions of our Milky Way. The image shows the comet’s ion tail extending across a stunning field of emission nebulae and dark interstellar dust, including notable star-forming regions such as the Eagle Nebula (M16) and Omega Nebula (M17).

This alignment offers a rare visual contrast between a transient icy visitor from the outer solar system and massive stellar nurseries where new stars are actively forming. The image highlights the interconnected nature of our galaxy — from frozen cometary material to hot ionized gas shaped by stellar winds.

Main Lens: Samyang 135mm f/1.8
Filter: Optolong L-eNhance
Mount: iOptron HAE43
Main Camera: ZWO ASI294MC Pro (cooled to 0 °C, Gain 120)
Guiding Scope: Svbony Mini Guider 30mm/120mm F4
Guide Camera: ZWO ASI120MM
Imaging Software: ASIAIR

120 × 60-second exposures
Total Integration Time: 2 hours

Processing: PixInsight and Photoshop