Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) has disintegrated as it approached the sun. Astronomers believe the comet, originating from the Oort Cloud, succumbed to intense solar radiation.
The comet's initial surge in brightness was a sign of disintegration. As ice vaporized, the comet dimmed, leaving behind only dust.
The remnant will appear in the constellation Andromeda before sunrise. It will be easier to see in the Southern Hemisphere in May, near the constellation Taurus after sunset.
Smaller comets are prone to disintegration due to rapid spinning. Scientists are studying the factors driving such fragmentation.
The SWAN instrument, designed to map hydrogen, has contributed to the discovery of 16 comets. Observations by astronomers were crucial for pinpointing the comet's location.