Observation by Nick James: The demise of C/2026 A1 (MAPS)

Uploaded by

Nick James

Observer

Nick James

Observed

2026 Apr 04 - 06:00

Uploaded

2026 Apr 05 - 09:15

Objects

C/2026 A1

Equipment

SOHO LASCO C2 coronagraph

Location

Target name

C/2026 A1

Title

The demise of C/2026 A1 (MAPS)

About this image

This sequence of images from the SOHO C2 coronograph obtained from here shows the demise of Kreutz sungrazer C/2026 A1 (MAPS) prior to perihelion. The remainder of the nucleus fragmented a few hours before perihelion and nothing came out at the expected position east of the Sun. There will be no headless wonder comet in the evening sky! A dust cloud did emerge west of the Sun. This is material released some hours before the final breakup that survived since solar radiation pressure pushed it away from the Sun before it could be destroyed.

More discussion here.

Files associated with this observation

2026a1_20260404_sohoc2.gif (6.9 MB)

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Geof Lewis

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