C/2026 A1 (MAPS)

C/2016 A1 (MAPS) is a prominent sungrazing comet discovered in January 2026 when it was about 2 AU from the Sun. It is calculated to pass 160,000 km from the surface of the Sun at its perihelion, which is calculated to occur on April 4, 2026. Its aphelion is on the order of 300 AU, and its orbital period is in the 1500-2000 year range. Its eccentricity is 0.99995, making it a near-parabolic comet. It is a Kreutz comet (a comet family that includes most known sungrazing comets). One determination of its diameter is about 2 km. There is some possibility that it will be easily seen, perhaps without a telescope.