NYC stargazers can enjoy 'sun grazer' comet in April as weather warms up
Gothamist • • science
Key Points:
- Comet C/2026 A1 MAPS will make its closest approach to the sun around April 5, coming within 89 million miles of Earth, and may be visible to the naked eye in New York City from April 5 to 8.
- The comet, over a mile in diameter and classified as a sun grazer, could brighten significantly due to solar radiation but may also break up as it nears the sun.
- NASA is preparing for its first manned moon mission in 50 years, Artemis II, with a tentative launch window starting April 1, featuring a 10-day orbit around Earth and the moon to test systems for a future moon landing.
- The Artemis II launch will be livestreamed on NASA+, and the mission's timing depends on weather and safety conditions at Kennedy Space Center.
- The Lyrids meteor shower will occur from April 14-30, peaking on April 21-22, with up to 20 meteors per hour visible after 10 p.m., providing a spectacular celestial display.
