A thrilling new comet, C/2026 A1 (MAPS), has caught the attention of astronomers. Set to put on a show in early April, this comet was discovered by four amateur astronomers using a telescope in Chile’s Atacama Desert on January 13.
What makes MAPS special? It belongs to a group of comets called the Kreutz sungrazers, known for their stunning appearances near the Sun. MAPS will pass incredibly close to the Sun, just 120,000 km away, and if it survives that fiery encounter, it could be visible in the evening sky and maybe even during the day.
Historically, sungrazing comets have dazzled viewers. The Great Comet of 1965, known as C/1965 S1 (Ikeya-Seki), was the brightest of the 20th century and could be seen even during daylight. Similarly, the Great Comet of 1882 shone a hundred times brighter than the full Moon. Both of these comets had origins linked to a massive comet that split into fragments centuries ago.
NASA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has tracked thousands of these smaller Kreutz fragments, which often break apart before reaching the Sun. The most recent large sungrazer was discovered in 2011 by Terry Lovejoy, who found a comet that briefly shined as brightly as Venus.
Experts, like astronomer Zdeněk Sekanina, suggest we might see two large sungrazers in the coming years. One of them could be a sibling to the Great Comets of 1882 and 1965, with a potential appearance in just a few years.
As for comet MAPS, its orbit indicates it might be a sizeable fragment, possibly larger than its predecessors. Recent observations show it brightening, suggesting it could put on quite a show in April.
If MAPS survives its closest approach to the Sun, it might suddenly brighten, creating an unforgettable sight. The best view will likely be from the Southern Hemisphere, making it easier to see in that part of the world.
For now, the excitement builds as we await the upcoming display of this newly discovered celestial wanderer.
