C/2025 V1 Borisov: Another Tail-less Comet

TheSkyLive

2025 seems to be fast becoming the year for fascinating Comets, or pseudo-Comets. This new kid on the block seemingly popped into view rather suddenly. I don't know details, but I'm wondering how this new Comet got so far into our Solar System before it was discovered. Of course, there could be a very simple Astronomy-based reason of which I'm unaware, but looking at its orbit, it just seems peculiar that this one sneaked in unnoticed until only recently.

There are already many online sensationalist reports exclaiming that C/2025 V1 Borisov is a sort of probe or craft released by 3I/Atlas, supported by the situation that its position was between the latter and Earth when it was discovered. And of course, that it is tail-less.

Anyhoo, I wrestled with the following chart (as best as I could, given my very extremely novice status) to determine the orbital plane of 3I/Atlas, C/2025 V1 Borisov and Earth on 3 November:

....and it does look like all three are sort of on the same plane.

Its discovery was reported by Comets and Asteroids:

Comet C/2025 V1 (Borisov) was discovered by G. Borisov on 2025 -Nov-02.10833 UT at magnitude 12.0 G with coma diameter 25 arcsec, and no tail from L51 MARGO, Nauchnyi using a 0.50-m f/1.9 reflector telescope. The comet is currently in Virgo low in the eastern morning sky. 

 

MPEC 2025-V40 : COMET C/2025 V1 (Borisov) was issued 2025-Nov-05 and reported the discovery announcement, confirmations, observations, orbit, and ephemeris.

Gennady Borisov is the same amateur Astronomer who discovered our second Interstellar visitor 2I/Borisov ~ which had very Comet-like behaviour, tail and all.

Orbital Today carried some interesting details:

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.

Avi Loeb weighed in as well ~ please visit his site to read his article where he indicates an absence of relationship between this new Comet and 3I/Atlas. He also brings up the latest image of 3I/Atlas which shows unusual "jets" emanating from the body. I will get to that in the next post. Fascinating stuff ~ 3I/Atlas continues to present peculiarities.

In the same article, Avi Loeb also includes a link to a recent interview with NewsMax ~ it's brief but had good relevant questions.

Namarie! 💙