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Kreutz Sungrazers

All articles tagged with #kreutz sungrazers

space20 days ago•83 min saved

Comet MAPS: A Potential Naked-Eye Visitor for Spring

Astronomers are buzzing about Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS), a Kreutz sungrazer discovered in Chile that could become a bright naked-eye comet if it survives its extreme Sun approach at perihelion in early April. Its current magnitude is faint, and experts split on whether it will survive and brighten; by early March we should have a clearer forecast. If MAPS performs, it could grace the western evening sky in mid-April after sunset, but many Kreutz comets disintegrate near perihelion. The MAPS name honors the team that developed its discovery program.

via Space|

#astronomy #comets #kreutz-sungrazers

science21 days ago•11 min saved

New Kreutz Comet MAPS Could Light Up April Skies

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.

via The Conversation|

#astronomy #comet-maps #daylight-visibility