Link to the science paper
JWST imagery of the approaching Kreutz sungrazer C/2026 A1 (MAPS) appears sufficient to distinguish the comet’s nucleus from the surrounding dust.
Coma model fitting indicates the morphology is compatible with a ∼0.4 km diameter nucleus — likely larger than those of the minor Kreutz fragments routinely discovered with coronagraphs, and comparable to or slightly smaller than that of C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy).
This time-lapse video shows comet Lovejoy as seen from about 240 miles above the Earth's horizon on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011. Captured by The International Space Station Commander Dan Burbank.
Credit: NASA / Dan Burbank
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