Comet Atlas: New photos show object breaking apart as it heads towards Earth
Comet had prompted excitement as astronomers expected it to be visible to the naked eye – but it has since broken up and is getting dimmer
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.New images have shown the Comet Atlas as it hurtles towards Earth, breaking up as it does.
Atlas had prompted excitement in recent weeks as comet-watchers forecast that it will become bright enough to be visible by the naked eye as it comes close to Earth in recent weeks.
But soon after that it became clear the object was breaking into pieces, and getting less bright.
A host of images have captured the object as it breaks up, including pictures taken from a crowdsourced project using telescopes made by company Unistellar.
Another image taken by astronomers in Bulgaria clearly shows what appears to be the multiple different parts of the fragmented object.
The comet prompted excitement as astronomers announced that it was set to be the brightest comet of 2020, and would be so luminous that it would be visible with the naked eye. One researcher said it had the potential to be "really, really stunning" as it reached its closest point to Earth, in May.
But shortly after it became clear that the comet was actually distintegrating, getting dimmer as it did.
As well as offering a chance to see the comet as it breaks apart, the images may prove useful to the scientists studying the object. Relatievely little is known about the object, which was only discovered at the very end of 2019.
Comet Atlas is still heading on its trajectory towards Earth. Its orbit is similar to the famous Great Comet of 1844, and it is thought that the two might both be pieces of what was once a larger comet.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments