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New Comet May Light Up April Skies!
6 Feb
Summary
- A new comet, C/2026 A1 (MAPS), may be visible to the naked eye in April.
- It's potentially a member of the famed Kreutz group of sungrazing comets.
- This comet has set a record for being discovered farthest from the Sun.
A newly discovered comet, designated C/2026 A1 (MAPS), presents an exciting possibility for skywatchers. Amateur astronomers from the MAPS group identified this celestial object, which might become bright enough to be seen with the naked eye by April 2026. This potential visibility is a rare event, with the last significant naked-eye comet appearing in October 2024.
The comet's orbit is notably long, and it is projected to pass very close to the Sun, a characteristic shared by the Kreutz group of sungrazing comets. If C/2026 A1 (MAPS) survives its close solar approach, it could be visible not only at night but potentially even during the day. The discovery of this comet at a record distance from the Sun suggests it could be a substantial object.
Scientists are keen to study C/2026 A1 (MAPS) due to its potential link to the Kreutz group, a family of comets originating from a single parent comet that fragmented over two millennia ago. While excitement is high, the discovery team notes that its brightness is not guaranteed and depends on orbital alignment. They are hopeful for a spectacular display, though the moon's presence in late March might affect nighttime viewing. The comet's closest approach to the Sun is predicted for April 2026.
