Potentially bright ‘sungrazing’ comet discovered
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by Neil Norman
A potentially large member of the Kreutz family comets is speeding its way to a perihelion encounter during the first week of April this year. The object was discovered on 13 January 2026. Although not fully confirmed yet, if it is a Kreutz family comet, it will be an unprecedented discovery.
Image of comet candidate 6AC4721 (centre), taken via the LCO-SAAO LO9 35-cm reflector on 14 January 2026. Credit: Alan Hale
A Kreutz family comet is a member of a group of ‘sungrazing’ comets
A potentially large member of the Kreutz family comets is speeding its way to a perihelion encounter during the first week of April this year. The object was discovered on 13 January 2026. Although not fully confirmed yet, if it is a Kreutz family comet, it will be an unprecedented discovery.
Image of comet candidate 6AC4721 (centre), taken via the LCO-SAAO LO9 35-cm reflector on 14 January 2026. Credit: Alan Hale
A Kreutz family comet is a member of a group of ‘sungrazing’ comets
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