Astronomers are closely watching a newly discovered comet that could become one of the most exciting celestial events of 2026. The object, Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS), is currently plunging toward the inner Solar System on a dramatic trajectory that will take it extremely close to the Sun in early April.
The comet was discovered on January 13, 2026, by the MAPS team—astronomers Alain Maury, Georges Attard, Daniel Parrott, and Florian Signoret—using a telescope at the AMACS1 Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert.
What makes this object especially interesting is that it belongs to the Kreutz family of sungrazing comets, a group known for extremely close passes to the Sun and, in some cases, spectacular brightness. C/2026 A1 will reach perihelion on April 4, 2026, passing only about 748,000 km above the Sun’s surface—a dangerously close encounter that could either destroy the comet or make it flare dramatically brighter.
If the comet survives this fiery passage, astronomers believe it could become visible to the naked eye, and some optimistic predictions even suggest it might shine as bright as Venus or brighter, potentially visible in twilight or even daylight for a short time.
For skywatchers, the coming weeks will be crucial as the comet approaches the Sun and rapidly brightens. Whether it becomes a spectacular “great comet” or disintegrates near perihelion remains uncertain—but either outcome will be scientifically fascinating.
🔭 Read the full observing guide and detailed information about the comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) here.
Astronomers and amateur observers around the world will be watching closely—because if C/2026 A1 survives its solar encounter, it could become one of the most memorable comets of the decade.
