A recently discovered comet, known as C/2024 S1 ATLAS, has disintegrated just days before Halloween, disappointing stargazers hoping to witness its celestial display. NASA confirmed that its Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft recorded the comet breaking apart as it approached the sun.
This event was captured on video and shared on social media, highlighting the comet’s journey toward its perihelion, the point at which it was closest to the sun.
Disappointment as Halloween Comet C2024 S1 ATLAS Disintegrates Before Celestial DisplayOn October 28, 2024, the comet reached its perihelion at 7:30 a.m. ET, marking a significant moment in its trajectory. In the days leading up to this closest approach, astronomers noted that the comet had been breaking into chunks. NASA’s observations emphasized the comet’s rapid movement and its disintegration, a phenomenon not uncommon for comets that venture too close to the sun.
Astronomers have been monitoring C/2024 S1 ATLAS since its discovery in September when it was identified by a telescope in Hawaii. Its rapid journey toward the sun and eventual demise captured the interest of the astronomical community and the public alike, as it was dubbed the “Halloween comet” due to its timing.
C/2024 S1 ATLAS is believed to be part of a group of comets that typically pass very close to the sun. The recent events surrounding the comet serve as a reminder of the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of celestial bodies, especially those interacting with the sun’s intense heat and gravitational forces.