A newly found comet has captured the interest of astronomers. Named C/2026 A1 (MAPS), it was spotted on January 13 by a group of amateur astronomers in the Atacama Desert using a remote telescope.
This comet belongs to the Kreutz sungrazing family, known for their stunning appearances. It is on a long, stretched-out orbit around the Sun and will come very close to it in early April, just 120,000 km away. If it survives this encounter, we might see an impressive display in the sky—potentially even during the day.
What’s the big deal with these sungrazers? Over the last 2,000 years, many spectacular comets have surprised us near the Sun. Bright comets, often called “Great Comets,” can light up the sky dramatically. For instance, the Great Comet of 1965, known as Ikeya-Seki, was bright enough to see during the day.
Remarkably, all these bright comets, including the famous ones from 1882 and 1965, share a common origin. A massive comet fragment likely broke apart centuries ago, sending smaller pieces on long orbits that occasionally bring them near the Sun again.
According to a study by astronomer Zdeněk Sekanina, we may be soon due for a major comet. He predicts that we could witness two large ones in the coming decades, with one possibly arriving soon.
So, let’s return to comet MAPS. At its discovery, it was the farthest sungrazer found to date, hinting it could be larger than usual. However, while past comets have dazzled, technology has improved since then, making predictions about brightness tricky.
Currently, MAPS is brightening, suggesting it might be a significant fragment rather than falling apart. If it survives the close encounter with the Sun, the spectacle in early to mid-April could be unforgettable. Observatories like NASA’s SOHO will be tracking it closely.
As MAPS approaches, it will transition into the evening sky and be more visible in the Southern Hemisphere. If it breaks apart near the Sun, we may unexpectedly see a sudden, bright display. For now, all we can do is wait and watch!
Note: This article is based on the work of Jonti Horner, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Southern Queensland. For further details, visit the original piece on The Conversation.
