The ATLAS comet met a fiery end after it couldn’t survive flying pass the sun, with the fragments now visible in the constellation Leo as astral rocks filled space
The infamous ‘ATLAS’ comet met its end after astronomers found it slowly breaking apart after it met a fiery end while hurtling towards earth. The interstellar phenomenon reached its closest point to the sun on October 8 before developing a rare golden glow in its coma and tail.
However, experts discovered that the ATLAS comet broke apart into several pieces, with a stunning animation depicting how the comet slowly separated from one another.
The C/2025 K1, known as the other ‘ATLAS’ slipped under the radar recently while 3I/ATLAS dominated headlines. While the two comets share no relation, they share the same surname because they were detected by the same telescope network around the same time.
It comes after a NASA Mars spacecraft captured the ‘closest view yet’ of mysterious comet, 31/ATLAS as it hurtles past Mars and continues on its trajectory past Earth.
Astronomers weren’t expecting the C/2025 K1 to survive it passing by the sun. This is because of the ‘huge amount of gravitational strain’ on the object. Initial observations suggested it escaped death, but more information since then has revealed that the comet broke apart into three distinct pieces.
Austrian astrophotographer Michael Jäger said: ”Following brightness surges in early November, we have been able to observe this comet splitting into three brighter fragments for the past two weeks. The animation shows it on November 12, 14, 18, 19, and 20th.”
Researchers were hoping to learn more about this comet when it was due to whizz pass earth on November 25. However, it seems to have met its untimely demise before they were able to. Rest in peace C/2025 K1.
On a more positive note, you might be able to spot the comet’s fragments in the constellation Leo if you use a good enough telescope.
In other space-related news, the man who claims a comet is an alien spaceship has claimed alien contact with Earth will be confirmed by 2030. Theoretical physicist Avi Loeb has been leading speculation that the so-called 3I/ATLAS comet is actually a “spaceship”.
His suggestion that humanity is not alone in the universe caused such a stir that NASA held a press conference to address the rumours. It came after the US space agency boffins shut down the speculation calling 3I/ATLAS a “comet”.
However, not to be deterred, Loeb has now made another bold alien-related claim. . . and even put a bet on it.
As part of some very nerdy boffin-related betting thing, Loeb has spent $1,000 of his own money (which will eventually go to charity) to counteract another bet from historian of science Dr Michael Shermer.
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