Comet C/2026 A1 MAPS to Dazzle NYC Skies in April

Sun-grazing comet and Lyrids meteor shower offer stargazing spectacles this month.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 7:35pm

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New York City stargazers are in for a celestial treat in early April as Comet C/2026 A1 MAPS, a roughly 1-mile diameter 'sun grazer' comet, is expected to pass just 89 million miles from Earth and put on a brilliant display in the night sky. The comet will be visible high in the southwest after sunset from April 5-8. Later in the month, the Lyrids meteor shower will also offer a chance to see shooting stars across the city's skies.

Why it matters

Comets and meteor showers are rare celestial events that captivate the public's imagination. This comet's close approach to the sun will give it a particularly bright glow and long tail, potentially making it as bright as the planet Venus in the night sky. The Lyrids shower also provides a seasonal opportunity for New Yorkers to enjoy some free, out-of-this-world entertainment.

The details

Comet C/2026 A1 MAPS, named for its close proximity to the sun, is expected to pick up a generous dose of radiation as it passes just 89 million miles from our star. This will give the roughly 1-mile wide comet a brilliant bright glow and lengthy tail. Stargazers should look to the southwest after sunset between April 5-8 to catch the best views of the comet. Later in the month, the annual Lyrids meteor shower will also be visible, with the peak occurring on April 21-22 when up to 20 meteors per hour could be seen.

  • Comet C/2026 A1 MAPS will be visible in the NYC sky from April 5-8.
  • The Lyrids meteor shower will peak on April 21-22.

The players

Comet C/2026 A1 MAPS

A 'sun grazer' comet that will pass just 89 million miles from the sun, giving it a bright glow and long tail.

Jackie Faherty

An astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History who commented on the comet's potential brightness.

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What they’re saying

“Comets are notoriously fickle. As exciting as they might be, sometimes they just peter out on us, but it's got a lot of potential. It could be as bright as Venus.”

— Jackie Faherty, Astrophysicist

What’s next

NASA is also planning to launch its first manned moon mission in 50 years sometime this month, with the uncrewed test flight expected to blast off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The takeaway

New Yorkers are in for a celestial treat this April, with the potential to witness the brilliant display of Comet C/2026 A1 MAPS as well as the annual Lyrids meteor shower. These rare cosmic events offer a chance for the public to connect with the wonders of the night sky.