First Comet of 2026 Doomed to Hit Sun

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has announced the discovery of the first comet of 2026, designated C/2026 A1 (MAPS). The object was first recorded on January 13 at the AMACS1 observatory as part of the MAPS program.

According to data from the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy of the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IKI RAN) from January 21, the comet is approximately 200 million kilometers from Earth and 300 million kilometers from the Sun. Calculations indicate that on April 4, 2026, it will fall into the Sun, with its remaining lifespan being 73 days.

Scientists suggest that C/2026 A1 (MAPS) may be a fragment of the Great Comet of 1106. This historical celestial body was observed worldwide, with records preserved in manuscripts from Britain, China, and Japan. Contemporaries described the comet as a dazzling white giant star with a tail stretching across the entire sky. After its breakup, one of the large fragments reappeared in 1843 as the Great Comet of 1843.

‘The comet faces an equally remarkable fate. According to calculations, this newly discovered celestial body will end its life on April 4 of this year when it falls into the Sun. The celestial body, formed billions of years ago at the dawn of the Solar System, has 73 days left to live,’ the laboratory notes.