How to watch the MAPS comet cross the sky in April: When and where to see the C/2026 A1 in the U.S.

Amateur astronomers spotted an object in January racing toward the center of our solar system, which turned out to be a comet. It has been named Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) and has almost reached its closest approach to the sun, known as perihelion, expected to occur 4-5 April, just in time for Easter.

Astronomers and stargazers are keeping their fingers crossed that the currently faint MAPS survives its trip around the Sun because it will make an extremely close flyby. C/2026 A1 is part of the Kreutz family of ‘sungrazing’ comets, which are believed to all have come from one massive comet that broke up after an extremely close flyby of the Sun perhaps over two thousand years ago.

If it does, the faint frozen body is beginning to vent gases at an accelerated rate, which is quickly brightening the celestial visitor. So much so that it could be visible to the naked eye even in the twilight of dawn and then dusk, possibly making it one of the “Great Comets.”

Where can you see C/2026 A1 (MAPS)?

In the Northern Hemisphere, it is currently visible in the eastern sky just before just before dawn. For the moment you will need binoculars to see it.

Once it passes the Sun, the comet will be visible low over the southwest horizon at dusk. According to a Star Walk map, MAPS will be just below the constellation Pisces on 5 April 2026.

It will then move westward in the evening sky toward Orion, the huntsman from Greek mythology, eventually passing over the three stars that make up his belt around 20 May.

Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) could be visible during the day

Like other members of the Kreutz comet family, C/2026 A1 (MAPS) is moving along an extreme, highly elongated orbit around the Sun. It is expected to pass within between 120,000 and 500,000 kilometers of our star’s surface, much closer to the Sun than Mercury is, in early April.

It’s proximity to the Sun as it flies around it may turn it into the next “Great Comet” for us to observe. But it must first survive its close encounter with the Sun.

The massive ball of ice, dust, and gas, which was initially calculated to be roughly 1.5 miles across (2.4 kilometers), but recent measurements put it at just a sixth that size, could easily be torn apart before heading back out to the outer Solar System. That’s because it will experience gravitation pressure as it reaches a speed of over 2 million mph, notes Live Science, not to mention “high temperatures, and a hefty dose of solar radiation.”

If it is successful, it could become an extremely bright object in the sky, several times more than a full moon. Scientists predict that it could be visible to the naked eye in broad daylight. It is already showing promise of outshining comet Lovejoy.

So stay tuned. C/2026 A1 (MAPS) is expected to make its closest approach to the Sun around 4 April, 2026.

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