The "Green Comet" Lemon (C/2025 A6), Approaching Earth for the First Time in About 1,350 Years This Autumn, is Already a Major Topic on Social Media

This autumn, the "Green Comet" Lemon (C/2025 A6), which is making a close approach to Earth for the first time in approximately 1,350 years, is already generating significant buzz on social media. Many people are eagerly anticipating its arrival as a precious "once-in-a-lifetime" celestial show.

Comet Lemon is expected to make its closest approach to Earth around October 21st, and there's hope that it might be visible to the naked eye during that period. Specifically, it's predicted to shine at a magnitude of 4 to 4.5, meaning that under good conditions, it might even be spotted from urban skies. The comet's distinctive green color is attributed to "diatomic carbon" (C2) in its nucleus, which emits light when illuminated by sunlight. The next time this comet is expected to approach Earth is around the year 3421 AD, truly making this a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity.

Various reactions are circulating on social media regarding this historic astronomical event. While pure excitement and anticipation, such as "Let's see this once-in-a-lifetime green comet!" and "The green comet is amazing!", dominate, there are also posts with self-admonishment like "October! I'll forget! Lol" to ensure they don't miss the viewing opportunity.

Many comments also allude to popular anime and manga works. The phrase "the Green Comet, not the Red Comet" frequently appears, contrasting it with the "Red Comet" from the *Mobile Suit Gundam* series, leading to unique posts reminiscent of Char Aznable. Other comments include "Kimi no Na wa?" (Your Name?), recalling Makoto Shinkai's animated film *Your Name.*, and mentions of Haruko Ichikawa's manga *Land of the Lustrous* (Houseki no Kuni), indicating that many people are perceiving a narrative quality in this visitor from space.

Among the comments, there are humorous suggestions like "Aren't we having an event to watch the Green Comet while eating 'Midori no Tanuki' (Green Tanuki) noodles?", as well as voices expressing "an ominous feeling," and even posts exploring connections to Hopi prophecies, clearly demonstrating how this comet is sparking people's imagination.

While it's noted that predicting a comet's brightness is challenging and there's a possibility it might unexpectedly dim or even disintegrate, many astronomy enthusiasts and the general public are keenly focused on this autumn's night sky. Why not try to witness this special glow, appearing for the first time in approximately 1,350 years, with your own eyes?

The context

For non-Japanese readers, some references in the article might require further explanation:

• "Red Comet" (赤い彗星): This refers to Char Aznable, a popular character from the *Mobile Suit Gundam* anime series, known for piloting a distinctive red mobile suit and his exceptional speed, earning him the famous moniker. The comparison to the "Green Comet" is a natural cultural reference for many Japanese readers.
• *Your Name.* (君の名は。/Kimi no Na wa.): This is a hugely successful 2016 Japanese animated film directed by Makoto Shinkai, in which a comet plays a pivotal role in the storyline, intertwining the lives of the two main characters.
• *Land of the Lustrous* (宝石の国/Houseki no Kuni): This is a Japanese manga series by Haruko Ichikawa, also adapted into an anime. It features humanoid gem characters, and celestial events or origins are often part of its fantastical world.
• "Midori no Tanuki" (緑のたぬき): This is a popular brand of instant tempura soba noodles in Japan, recognizable by its green packaging. The humorous suggestion of eating "Green Tanuki" while watching the "Green Comet" is a playful word association.
• Hopi Prophecies: The Hopi are a Native American tribe well-known for their spiritual traditions and prophecies, some of which are interpreted by some as referring to celestial events or signs that signify significant changes on Earth.