Easter Comet MAPS Could Light Daytime Skies If It Survives Solar Brunt

A newly discovered comet, C/2026 A1 (MAPS), has brightened enough to potentially be seen from Earth in coming weeks, but only if it survives an extremely close pass by the Sun on April 4, nearly skimming the solar surface at about 159,000 km. If it endures, it could briefly appear in the western twilight between April 8–14, possibly rivaling Venus in brightness. Observers are urged to use caution around looking at the Sun; binoculars may help locate it and viewing via SOHO's LASCO imagery offers a safer alternative. The MAPS team discovered the comet on Jan. 13 in Chile, and its fate hinges on whether solar heat and gravity tear it apart during perihelion.