‘Halloween Comet’ Breaks Apart After Flying Close To The Sun
October 29, 2024 9:57AM AKDT
This image provided by NASA shows Comet Atlas, nicknamed the “Halloween comet”, approaching its closest to the sun, October 2024, as seen in this real-time image from NASA’s orbiting Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. (NASA via AP)
(Associated Press) – NASA says a recently discovered comet has broken apart as it approached the sun.
The space agency said Tuesday its sun-observing spacecraft captured the moment when the comet broke into chunks this week.
Astronomers have been tracking the comet since it was discovered in September by a telescope in Hawaii.
It’s thought to be part of a family of comets that pass incredibly close to the sun.
Comets are cosmic snowballs of dust and ice that circle the sun. Occasionally, comets can make their way into the inner solar system.