Newly Discovered Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) May Become Visible in Daylight
Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS), a member of the Kreutz sungrazer family, was discovered on January 13, 2026, and could become visible to the naked eye in early April if it survives its close approach to the Sun.
Astronomers have identified a new comet, C/2026 A1 (MAPS), which may become visible to the naked eye in early April. Discovered on January 13, 2026, by the MAPS observation program using a remotely operated telescope in Chile's Atacama Desert, this comet is part of the Kreutz sungrazer family, known for their close approaches to the Sun.
Comet MAPS is on a highly elongated orbit and is expected to pass within approximately 120,000 kilometers of the Sun's surface in early April. Such proximity raises the possibility of the comet becoming bright enough to be seen in daylight, provided it withstands the intense solar heat.
Historically, Kreutz sungrazers have produced some of the most spectacular comets. For instance, the Great Comet of 1965, C/1965 S1 (Ikeya-Seki), became as bright as the full Moon and was visible during the day.
The discovery of Comet MAPS at a distance of 2.056 AU from the Sun marks it as the farthest Kreutz sungrazer identified to date. This early detection suggests it might be a larger fragment, increasing the chances of it surviving perihelion and providing a remarkable display.
Observers in the Southern Hemisphere are expected to have the best views of the comet in the days following its closest approach to the Sun. If the comet remains intact, it could become a prominent feature in the evening sky during early to mid-April.
As with all comets, predictions are uncertain, and astronomers will continue to monitor Comet MAPS as it approaches the Sun to determine its potential visibility and brightness.