The discovery of C/2026 A1 MAPS during early January 2026 roused a great amount of excitement in the astronomical community as it was quickly
identified as a new member of the Kreutz family of sungrazing comets, responsible for a number of great comets over the past two millennia.
The MAPS survey, made up of Maury, Attard, Parrott, and Signoret, is a team of amateur astronomers who discovered this using telescope located in Chile. More information is available here:
https://www.spaceobs.com/en/Alain-Maury-s-Blog/The-discovery-of-comet-C-2026-A1-MAPS
C/2026 A1 MAPS is the earliest pre-perihelion discovery of its type and it will be monitored intensely on its way towards perihelion.
What will be the final fate of comet C/2026 A1 MAPS when it passes 850,000kms from the centre of the Sun on April 4?
Its behaviour is highly unpredictable. It could either shine brightly enough to be seen with the unaided eye or break apart as it passes close to the Sun.
We will find out whether it survives or not on the afternoon of April 4.
Its intrinsic brightness observed at the time of discovery initially raised concerns regarding its potential survival; however, similar scepticism surrounded C/2011 W3 Lovejoy when it appeared in December 2011, surviving its trip around the Sun to later put on a spectacular display in late December of that year.
C/2026 A1 MAPS has been initially classified as a Kreutz pre-type I subgroup comet, possibly related to the great comet of 1106.
Its orbital period and rank in the hierarchy will be determined once a more accurate orbit has been established. Should it remain intact, it could present a fine display low in the evening sky, beginning in the second week of April.
Kreutz comets strongly favour viewing from the southern hemisphere due to their high southerly orbital tilt. They spend virtually all their time below the ecliptic and only a fraction of time above the ecliptic when rounding the Sun. Favourable arrival times occur between October to March. Arrival during the months of September to December result in a morning sky appearance, whilst an arrival between January to April results in an evening sky appearance. Kreutz sungrazers appearing between May to July may come and go unseen as they approach and recede directly behind the Sun as seen from Earth’s perspective.
The arrival of C/2026 A1 MAPS in April creates a situation that is somewhat less than ideal.
The brightness forecast below could be well off, so use this as a guide only.
During February 2026, it is best seen during early evenings from the southern hemisphere, though northern viewers can spot it low on the horizon. The comet may brighten from magnitude 15.0 to 12.0 as it moves through the constellations of Fornax and Eridanus.
On February 9, it will transit over the magnitude 10 spiral galaxy NGC 1398 in Fornax.
On February 20-21, it will be within 45’ SW of magnitude 10 face-on spiral galaxy NGC 1232 in Eridanus.
Moonlight starts to interfere by months end.
During March 2026, the comet can be found in the evening sky, commencing in Eridanus but moving into Cetus from March 5. The comet may brighten rapidly from magnitude 12 to 3 but be lost in twilight by months end.
On March 1, the magnitude 12 comet will situate less than 3 degrees from another comet C/2024 E1 Wierzchos, with astrophotographers potentially able to capture both objects simultaneously using wide field equipment.
From March 7, moonlight no longer interferes with viewing.
On the nights of March 12-13, the comet situates within 40’ west of magnitude 12 barred spiral galaxy NGC 945, with the comet possibly shining at magnitude 10.
Over the next two weeks, the comet is expected to undergo rapid development as it approaches the Sun. It may become visible through binoculars and, subsequently, to the naked eye. Any unexpected outbursts have the potential to result in the complete disintegration of the comet. A consistent increase in brightness would be preferable and could lead to a more favourable outcome.
By March 25, observing conditions become progressively more challenging as the comet moves rapidly toward twilight, with its solar elongation decreasing to less than 20 degrees starting March 29.
During April 2026, the comet arrives at perihelion. It will pass 850,000kms form the Sun at 13UT on April 4.
The optimal view of the comet will be from the SOHO spacecraft.
Follow the comets passage through the SOHO LASCO C3 coronagraph at:
https://soho.nascom.nasa.gov/data/Theater/
Choose the C3 imager at 1024 resolution for best results.
The comet enters the field of view on 2026 April 2 at 18:00UT, at the 8 o’clock position.
The object may reach its peak brightness on April 4, 2026 at 13:00 UT, unless it has already disintegrated.
By 15:00 UT on the same day, its survival should be apparent, so have the champagne ready.
In the case of C/2011 W3 Lovejoy, only the nucleus emerged on the far side of the Sun,
subsequently forming a new tail after its previous one was destroyed.
Any surviving remnant exits the C3 field of view on 2026 April 6 at 03:00UT.
APRIL 2026 POST PERIHELION VIEWING - ONLY IF COMET SURVIVES
Should the comet survive its fiery approach to the sun, we will be in for a treat when the comet emerges out of evening twilight from the second week of April. Whilst sungrazing comets have produced great events in the past, an arrival during the month of April is less favourable. I don't expect the tail to be any longer than 10° but it will be a bright one, easy to spot even from light polluted locations. It should stand out in the twilight sky rising vertically for us lucky folk situated in the southern hemisphere. Those further north will still be able to capture it, but the tail will appear much closer to the horizon.
The comet may be spotted for the first time starting April 7, appearing very low on the western horizon.
Each subsequent night will offer a better view as it emerges out of twilight.
On April 11, it will situate adjacent to Gamma Ceti, very low on the western horizon.
On the nights of April 12-13 it lies within 2° of magnitude 2.7 star Menkar (Alpha Ceti) and should finally be seen in darker skies.
A bonus is that moonlight will not affect the view although the comet remains visible low on the western horizon.
By April 16 the comet moves into constellation of Taurus as it continues its easterly trek. Moonlight will start here interfere from April 21.
Watch out from April 30 as another comet C2025 R3 PANSTARRS joins C/2026 A1 MAPS in the evening sky, potentially resulting in two comets visible simultaneously whether it be via naked eye or binoculars.
They appear closest on the evening of May 5-6 when moonlight no longer interferes with the view.