Comet PanSTARRS Over Mauritius: A Rare Celestial Visitor

I think that for every passionate person, there are moments that remind us what truly drives our passion. This month of May was one of those moments for me, as I eagerly waited to photograph Comet C/2025 R3 PanSTARRS, which had been clearly visible in the Northern Hemisphere for some time. For me, it felt like waiting for Santa Claus to pass through our sky and deliver gifts. I know it sounds childish, but perhaps we are all just big children at heart.

Comet PanSTARRS, captured during my second attempt, where the gas tail structure becomes clearly visible — May 2026, Jordan Joumon

Today, I want to share the story behind this image and what makes it so special to me. First, let’s put things into context by understanding what a comet is.

Simply put, a comet is a ball of ice and stellar dust, usually originating from a distant region at the edge of our Solar System called the Oort Cloud, named after the astronomer who proposed its existence. Far from the warmth of our Sun, this region acts as a cold storage zone for icy bodies. It is believed to contain countless comets, and occasionally, gravitational disturbances or collisions send some of them inward toward the Solar System.

Because of their small size, comets are typically only visible when they begin to outgas. As they approach the Sun, its heat causes the ice to sublimate, releasing gas and dust that form the iconic glowing coma and tail. A comet’s trajectory is largely influenced by the Sun’s gravity, which is why we usually observe them either shortly before sunrise or after sunset.

The most critical moment occurs at perihelion, their closest approach to the Sun. At this point, a comet may either disintegrate completely under extreme heat or survive and continue its journey back toward the cold, dark outer Solar System.

Now that you understand what a comet is, perhaps you will look at this image differently. This small blue-green point of light is a traveler that began its journey toward us long before the rise of human civilization.

My first attempt to photograph it honestly did not meet my expectations. I was with friends at La Prairie beach and I was not fully prepared, as my telescope and camera were not properly configured to capture the object at its best

My first attempt at visually locating the comet from La Prairie beach, using my motorized Sky-Watcher mount and SVBONY telescope tube.

 I tried again later at Flic en Flac, and this time I was more satisfied. The tracking was better, and even in post-processing, the details were clearer, although I still wished for a wider composition to better place it within our Mauritian skies.

The real satisfaction came when I managed to capture it near the Orion Nebula. That framing remains unique to me. The comet will never return to that exact position again, and capturing two such fascinating celestial objects in a single frame feels like a priceless trophy.

The next time this comet visits us will likely be in around 170,000 years. Yes, we truly need more than patience.

Comet PanSTARRS on the left and the Orion Nebula on the right, a unique configuration that will never be seen again. Photographed on 10 May 2026 — Jordan Joumon

Before concluding, I would like to address a common misconception: that a motorized telescope is absolutely necessary for comet photography. While it certainly helps, it is not essential. Many people felt discouraged because they believed they lacked the proper equipment.

In reality, all you need is a sturdy tripod, a camera sensitive to low light, and ideally a zoom lens of at least 200mm with a fast aperture around f/2.8. Exposure times of 2 to 5 seconds are often enough, and the real magic happens during post-processing.

So if you are reading this, do not let the lack of a telescope or tracking mount stop you from exploring astrophotography. I started without a telescope myself, and that limitation shaped my creative approach. When resources are limited, creativity takes over and that is also the essence of astrophotography.

A wide-field photograph of Comet PanSTARRS, with the star Rigel positioned in the upper left and part of the Orion Nebula visible along the top of the frame, along with a satellite trail. This composition was intended to illustrate the comet’s scale within the Mauritian night sky.

The next time you see a comet, remember this: its journey toward us began thousands of years ago in the cold emptiness of space. And the light reaching your eyes is the result of a meeting that was written long before your birth.

-Jordan JOUMON, May 2026