2 comets may be visible in PH sky this April – PAGASA

Filipinos are in for an astronomical treat as two comets may be visible from the Philippine sky this April, the state weather bureau said in its latest astronomical diary. 

PAGASA said C/2026 A1 (MAPS) will reach its closest approach to the Sun (perihelion) on April 4, while its closest approach to Earth (perigee) is on April 6. 

Although the comet will not be observable on the exact dates of these events, PAGASA said it is expected to be visible from April 9 to 15. 

Meanwhile, the C/2025 R3 (PANSTARSS) will be closest to the Sun on April 19 and closest to Earth on April 26. 

“On the day of perihelion, the comet will be visible in the dawn sky, rising at 04:09 a.m. and reaching an altitude of 14° above the eastern horizon before fading as dawn breaks around 05:14 a.m. It is expected to be observable from 05 to 21 April 2026,” state astronomers explained. 

There will also be meteor showers visible in the sky this month. PAGASA said the Lyrid meteor shower will be active from April 16 to 25, with peak activity expected on April 22. 

“Under clear, dark, and moonless sky conditions, the shower may produce up to eighteen (18) meteors per hour when the radiant is highest in the sky,” state astronomers said.

April also features the π-Puppid meteor shower, which stems from the trail of Comet 26P/Grigg–Skjellerup.

The meteor shower is active from April 15 to 28 while the best time to watch it is during its peak on April 23.

To best observe meteor showers through the naked eye, PAGASA advised the public to choose a dark observation site away from the city lights “under clear and moonless sky conditions.” — JMA, GMA News