Live Science Plus
Comets are "snowballs" of ice and dust that formed during the birth of our solar system and have orbited the sun since. Live Science brings you the latest comet news, features and articles as astronomers track these extraordinary objects. From the city-sized comet that grew "horns" to the mega comet that may be the largest seen in recorded history, our expert writers and editors will tell you everything you need to know about them, and how to observe them when they're visible from Earth.
Discover more about comets
—What's the difference between asteroids, comets and meteors?
Latest about Comets
New 'sungrazing' comet could become visible to the naked eye during the day — if the sun doesn't destroy it
The newly discovered sungrazing comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) will undergo an extremely close slingshot around our star in early April, and could become bright enough to be seen without a telescope during the day.
Dramatic death of Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) caught on camera — Space photo of the week
The Gemini North telescope snapped a spectacular view of Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) breaking apart as it emerged from the other side of the sun in October.
Astronomers may have already spotted the 'Great Comet of 2026' — and it could soon be visible to the naked eye
Recently discovered Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) will make its closest approach to the sun and Earth in late April and could potentially be visible to the naked eye. It may end up being the brightest comet of the year.
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS makes closest pass of Earth. Where's it heading next?
Everyone's favorite interstellar comet, 3I/ATLAS, flew past Earth overnight, coming within about 168 million miles (270 million kilometers) of our planet.
Comet 3I/ATLAS reaches its closest point to Earth tonight: How to see it
Comet 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar object ever detected, reached its closest point to Earth overnight from Thursday to Friday (Dec. 18 to 19), and it remains in a good viewing position tonight. Here's how to see it.
NASA eyes 3I/ATLAS with alien-hunting Clipper spacecraft in new image
NASA's alien-hunting Europa Clipper spacecraft took seven hours of ultraviolet observations of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS while both objects zoom toward Jupiter.
The UN's International Asteroid Warning Network is closely watching comet 3I/ATLAS. Here's why.
Tracking comets accurately is hard. A new effort with the U.N. and NASA aims to better chart these visitors using 3I/ATLAS.
Comet 3I/ATLAS is getting greener and brighter as it approaches Earth
New images taken with the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii confirm that the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has gotten brighter and greener since its close flyby of the sun in October.
