Stargazers Alert: The Disappearing Green Comet – Is It Breaking Apart and Will You Still See It?

NEW YORK (AP) — A newly discovered green comet has likely broken apart on its journey near the sun, disappointing those hoping for a bright display. Comet SWAN, which comes from the Oort Cloud beyond Pluto, has been visible through telescopes lately with a tail stretching behind it. However, astronomers believe it may not survive this close encounter with the sun and is quickly fading.

Astrophysicist Karl Battams from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory described the likely fate of the comet in an email: “We’ll soon be left with just a dusty rubble pile.” Comets are ancient, made of frozen gas and dust from the early solar system. Each time one passes through the inner solar system, it reminds us of our cosmic origins.

This comet was spotted by amateur astronomers who noticed it in images taken by a NASA and European Space Agency spacecraft that observes the sun. While Comet SWAN was never set to pass close to Earth like last year’s Tsuchinshan-Atlas, it’s notable nonetheless. Other famous comets, like Neowise in 2020 and Hale-Bopp and Hyakutake from the 1990s, provided spectacular views.

Designated C/2025 F2, this comet would have been visible shortly after sunset, a little north of the horizon. Its green hue would have made it hard to see with the naked eye. Since this might be its first trip past the sun, it was especially prone to breaking up, according to Battams. After this flyby, remnants of the comet will drift further into the solar system, likely beyond its starting point.

“It’s going to go so far out that we have no idea if it’s ever going to return,” Battams added.

Understanding comets can be crucial as they hold clues to the solar system’s history. According to a recent study from the University of Kansas, analyzing these icy bodies helps scientists learn about the materials that formed planets. Each comet carries a history written in its chemical makeup, offering insights into the early solar system.

While Comet SWAN brings disappointment for stargazers, it reminds us of the wonders and mysteries that the cosmos holds. Keep looking up; you never know what you might see next.

For more insights on space and related discoveries, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute supports science and educational media reporting.

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Meteors and meteorites, Space exploration, Trending News, Science, Planets, Jason Ybarra, Karl Battams