Comet of the year may soon be visible in India
What's the story
A newly discovered sungrazing comet, C/2026 A1 (MAPS), is set for a close encounter with the Sun on April 4, 2026. The comet has been dubbed the "comet of the year" by many skywatchers and has scientists excited. The big question for observers in India is whether it will be visible in the evening sky after this solar flyby.
Comet characteristics
What are sungrazing comets?
Comet MAPS is a rare type of comet known as a sungrazer. These are icy celestial bodies that come extremely close to the Sun. As they approach, the gasses and dust within them vaporize rapidly due to intense solar heating, creating a glowing coma and long tail. Sometimes, this process makes these comets visible even without telescopes.
Visibility conditions
When and where to see comet maps in India
If Comet MAPS survives its close encounter with the Sun, it could be visible to skywatchers in India. The best viewing window is likely between April 5 and April 10, just after sunset. Observers should look toward the western horizon just after dusk for their chance at this rare cosmic show. A location away from city lights would significantly improve visibility.
Surveillance efforts
NASA's SOHO spacecraft will track comet
NASA and other space agencies are closely tracking Comet MAPS's journey with space-based solar observatories and telescopes. The SOHO spacecraft, which continuously observes the Sun, is being used to monitor this comet. Its coronagraph cameras such as LASCO C3 block out the Sun's bright disk, allowing scientists to track objects like sungrazing comets as they approach perihelion.