A newly discovered comet, designated C/2026 A1 (MAPS), has astronomers excited about the possibility of a spectacular celestial display in early April. Discovered on January 13 by four amateur astronomers using a remotely operated telescope in Chile's Atacama Desert, the comet belongs to the Kreutz sungrazing family, known for producing some of the brightest comets in history.
Comet MAPS is on an extreme, highly elongated orbit that will bring it within just 120,000 kilometres of the Sun's surface in early April. If it survives this close encounter, it could become visible in broad daylight and put on a stunning show in the evening sky. However, there is a risk it may disintegrate before reaching its closest point.
The Kreutz sungrazers share a common origin: a giant comet, over 100 kilometres in diameter, that fragmented near the Sun centuries ago. Subsequent break-ups have produced a stream of fragments, including the Great Comets of 1882 and 1965. The latter, Ikeya-Seki, was the brightest comet of the 20th century, visible with the naked eye during the day.
Comet MAPS was discovered farther from the Sun than any previous sungrazer, a record previously held by Ikeya-Seki. This suggests MAPS may be a larger-than-usual fragment, though experts caution it is unlikely to match Ikeya-Seki's brilliance. The comet's early detection could also indicate it is already breaking apart.
Observers are advised to watch the evening sky in early April 2026 for a potential 'Great Comet'. Even if MAPS does not survive its solar passage, its journey offers a rare glimpse into the dynamic behaviour of these ancient cosmic wanderers.
