Halloween Comet ATLAS: A Headless Spectacle

cometPhoto byLukáš VaňátkoonUnsplash

Comet ATLAS (C/2024 S1), nicknamed the Halloween comet, is expected to be visible in the lead-up to Halloween as it approaches the sun. The comet, currently getting brighter as it nears the sun, may be visible to the naked eye by Halloween, potentially outshining Venus in our skies. However, the comet appears to be breaking apart, possibly turning into all tail and no head.

Comets are small celestial bodies composed of rock and ice that develop tails as they approach the sun. Comet ATLAS is a newly-discovered Kreutz sungrazer, a family of comets that pass very close to the sun. Brightness fluctuations suggest it may be disintegrating, potentially forming a bright tail without the comet's head.

To see the ATLAS comet, observers in the Southern Hemisphere should look for it before perihelion on October 28, while those in the Northern Hemisphere may have better visibility afterward. NASA notes that the comet may be visible low in the eastern sky just before and after sunrise, with caution advised when using binoculars or telescopes to avoid eye damage. Comet ATLAS (C/2024 S1), also known as the Halloween comet, is sparking excitement as it approaches our planet. The possibility of it outshining Venus in the night sky adds to the anticipation surrounding its visibility around Halloween. However, recent observations indicate that the comet may be disintegrating, transforming into a comet with a vivid tail but lacking its characteristic head.

As a Kreutz sungrazer, Comet ATLAS is part of a group of comets that venture incredibly close to the sun. The evolving brightness of the comet implies a potential fragmentation, raising questions about its final appearance as it nears perihelion on October 28. Observers in different hemispheres have varying opportunities to catch a glimpse of the comet, with those in the Southern Hemisphere advised to look early while Northern Hemisphere viewers may have better luck later. NASA reminds enthusiasts to exercise caution when using optical aids for viewing, such as binoculars or telescopes, to safeguard against eye damage while trying to spot this celestial spectacle.

Source:

https://www.newsweek.com/atlas-comet-halloween-visible-naked-eye-space-broken-1973711