After 3I/ATLAS, astronomers spot potential ‘Great Comet of 2026'

After 3I/ATLAS kept space enthusiasts and skywatchers on edge throughout 2025, astronomers have discovered what they think could be the “great comet of 2026”.

The comet, dubbed C/2025 R3, was first spotted by a pair of reflector telescopes located on the summit of Hawaii’s Haleakala volcano, Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS), on September 8, 2025.

The comet currently around 216 million miles from the Earth is expected to reach its closest point to the planet in April. In a treat for skywatchers, experts believe that R3 could become visible to the naked eye.

The space rock is currently racing toward the sun.During its closest approach to our home star on April 20, the comet will be only 47.4 million miles away from the Sun.

R3 will make its closest approach to the Earth just a week later and is expected to reach within 44 million miles from our planet on April 27.

However, the comet’s final trajectory has not yet been determined. It remains unclear how bright the comet will shine during its close flyby to the Earth.

Some estimates from the astronomers suggest that R3 could reach a magnitude of 2.5 making it bright enough to be visible to the naked eye.

Last year the comet 3I/ATLAS kept astronomers on edge with several conspiracy theories claiming it to be an alien UFO. 3I/ATLAS is expected to leave our solar system by 2030.