“Halloween comet” breaks apart after flying close to the sun

Source: SFGate

“A recently discovered comet that some stargazers had hoped to see during Halloween week has disintegrated before the day of ghosts and ghouls. NASA confirmed Tuesday its sun-observing spacecraft captured the moment when the comet Atlas broke into chunks this week as it passed close to the sun. Astronomers have been tracking the so-called Halloween comet, also known as C/2024 S1, since it was discovered in September by a telescope in Hawaii. As it raced toward the sun, a space observatory operated by NASA and the European Space Agency spied its demise. The comet is thought to be part of a family of comets that pass incredibly close to the sun.” (10/29/24)

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/halloween-comet-breaks-apart-after-flying-close-19871315.php