NASA's Artemis II astronauts may catch a cometif it can survive the sun

"NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen will be the first humans to see the far side of the moon since the Apollo era."

"Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) was discovered on January 13 by amateur astronomers using a remotely operated telescope in Chile's Atacama Desert."

"The comet will experience the most hostile environment our solar system has to offer as it approaches the sun, potentially leading to a remarkable spectacle."

"MAPS will make its closest solar approach on April 4, coming within 101,100 miles of the sun, which is significantly closer than many previously discovered comets."

NASA's Artemis II mission will allow astronauts to see the far side of the moon for the first time since the Apollo era. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen may also observe Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) as it approaches the sun. Discovered by amateur astronomers in January, MAPS will experience extreme conditions as it nears the sun, with its closest approach occurring on April 4, when it will come within 101,100 miles of the sun.

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