Brief

Euclid telescope spots new comet C/2026 S1

The comet was flagged by software from a University of Helsinki astronomer and later confirmed by the IAU's Minor Planet Center.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:00:12 GMT

The European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope, launched in 2023 for dark‑matter research, unintentionally recorded a new comet, now designated C/2026 S1 (Euclid). The moving‑object detection program created by Mikko Pöntinen of the University of Helsinki flagged a streak across several images, which he identified as an active comet shedding dust and gas. After reporting the find to the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center, the MPC confirmed the object on Oct 8, 2026. Euclid observed the comet in five separate fields within its Deep Field North region, noting a trajectory that does not lie in the planetary plane and will take the comet on a multi‑thousand‑year orbit around the Sun. Euclid archive scientist Bruno Altieri called the detection a “happy coincidence,” since the mission deliberately avoids comet‑rich sky areas.

Key facts

Euclid telescope discovered comet C/2026 S1 (Euclid). (popsci.com)
The comet was flagged by software from Mikko Pöntinen at the University of Helsinki. (popsci.com)
The International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center confirmed the comet on Oct 8, 2026. (popsci.com)
Euclid captured the comet in five different fields over multiple days. (popsci.com)
Archive scientist Bruno Altieri described the find as a rare coincidence. (popsci.com)