Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

Destruction of Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS)

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for April 9, 2026 is “Destruction of Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS),” a video. It is credited to Video Credit: Brian Day , SOHO , SDO , JHelioviewer Text: Cecilia Chirenti ( NASA GSFC , UMCP , CRESST II ). The original explanation runs about 165 words.

Watch the video on the original page
Credit: Video Credit: Brian Day , SOHO , SDO , JHelioviewer Text: Cecilia Chirenti ( NASA GSFC , UMCP , CRESST II ) Shown from the original page. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“As the crew of Artemis II travelled towards the Moon this week, Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) was expected to have its closest approach to the Sun on Monday. At this point, comet and Sun would be closer than half the distance separating the Earth and Moon .”

— APOD editors, April 9, 2026

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
April 9, 2026
Type
Video
Credit
Credit: Video Credit: Brian Day , SOHO , SDO , JHelioviewer Text: Cecilia Chirenti ( NASA GSFC , UMCP , CRESST II )
Copyright
No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 165 words

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Topics in this entry

The MoonThe SunComets

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: April 9 in other years

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Source

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.