Comet C/2024 E1 to glow faintly near the sun in early 2026

Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) is set to pass through the inner solar system in early 2026. While it won’t dazzle as a bright naked-eye spectacle, careful observers with binoculars or small telescopes may still catch a glimpse under the right conditions. Visibility will vary sharply between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres due to the comet’s path and solar glare.

The comet reaches perihelion—its closest point to the sun—on 20 January 2026, passing roughly 0.57 astronomical units away. At this stage, increased solar heat will cause more of its icy material to sublimate, forming a brighter coma. However, observers in the Northern Hemisphere will struggle to see it, as the comet sits low on the southwestern horizon and is obscured by the sun’s glare.

For those south of the equator, perihelion offers the best viewing window. The comet will climb higher in the sky, making it more accessible with optical aids under dark conditions. Northern observers, though, must wait until mid-February, when the comet moves further from the sun’s glare and makes its closest approach to Earth. Even then, it will remain faint and require binoculars or a small telescope.

NASA continues to monitor the comet’s trajectory, refining predictions as the event nears. The brightness and visibility will depend heavily on location, sunlight interference, and sky darkness. By late February, the comet will have shifted further south, growing fainter and harder to spot from northern latitudes.

The comet’s visit won’t produce a dramatic show for most skywatchers. Instead, its faint glow will demand patience, precise timing, and the right equipment. Those in the Southern Hemisphere will have the clearest chances near perihelion, while Northern Hemisphere observers may only catch fleeting views in mid-February under ideal conditions.