On October 28, 2024, the comet C/2024 S1 (ATLAS), popularly known as the 'Halloween Comet,' was observed disintegrating as it approached the Sun. Captured by NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), this event marks a significant moment in astronomical observation.
The comet, measuring between 6 and 15 kilometers in diameter, came within 1.5 million kilometers of the Sun, less than 1% of the distance from Earth to the Sun. As it neared perihelion, the intense solar heat caused the icy body, composed of dust and rocks, to break apart completely.
C/2024 S1 belongs to the Kreutz family of comets, known for their close encounters with the Sun. These comets often meet a similar fate, disintegrating due to extreme temperatures that vaporize their icy cores. The comet was discovered on September 27, 2024, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS).
While many Kreutz comets face destruction, some have survived perihelion, such as C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), which passed close to the Sun in September and continued its journey, providing a spectacular view for observers.
The study of comets like C/2024 S1 enhances our understanding of the solar system's formation and evolution. Observations of such events contribute valuable data on the dynamics of these celestial bodies and their potential impacts on Earth.