Comets: All You Need to Know

Comets are back in the spotlight — and for a good reason. Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) is a rare sungrazer heading to the Sun, and events like this can unfold fast: the comet may suddenly grow a bright tail and become visible without a telescope… or fall apart before the best part begins. Want to follow the suspense in real time? Check the latest news about comet C/2026 A1 in our article.

And if you’re here to learn the basics — why comets brighten, why they grow tails, and where do they come from — start with this infographic. Straight away, comet viewing tip: use an astronomy app like Star Walk 2 to watch comets. With this app, you can easily track any of the 3,000 comets in the database!