All articles tagged with #comet maps
A newly discovered Kreutz sungrazer, C/2026 A1 (MAPS), may swing extremely close to the Sun in early April. If it survives perihelion, it could become a notable evening sky object and possibly visible in daylight; its brightness depends on whether it remains intact or breaks up, with the southern hemisphere likely having the best viewing opportunity. SOHO will provide images of the event.
Astronomers have spotted a new comet, C/2026 A1 (MAPS), discovered Jan 13 by four amateur observers in the Atacama. It’s a member of the Kreutz sungrazing family and will swing very close to the Sun, passing within about 120,000 km at perihelion in early April. If it survives perihelion, MAPS could become a spectacular evening sight in early to mid-April and might even be daylight-visible, though it could fragment. Ongoing observations suggest it’s brightening, and SOHO images may capture it regardless. Viewing will be easiest from the southern hemisphere; stay tuned for updates as the close solar pass approaches.