A newly discovered comet could shine as bright as Venus
Technology
Heads up, skywatchers. Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS), discovered in January by astronomers in Chile, is making a rare and bright approach to the Sun on April 4.
First spotted way out in the constellation Columba, it's now visible to amateur telescopes and is following a dramatic path known for producing some of history's most spectacular comets.
How to watch the comet safely
Comet MAPS might get as bright as Venus soon, but don't try looking at it near the Sun. Experts warn that's really risky for your eyes.
Instead, check out the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)'s LASCO C3 camera online from April 2-6 for safe viewing.
This tool helped people safely enjoy comets like Tsuchinshan-ATLAS back in 2024 (no squinting required).