NEW YORK, NY – Astronomers tracking a newly discovered green comet have determined that it likely disintegrated as it passed by the sun, dashing hopes of a dazzling sight for stargazers. Named Comet SWAN, this celestial visitor originated from the Oort Cloud beyond Pluto and has been observable through telescopes and binoculars in the past few weeks, showcasing its distinctive streaming tail. Unfortunately, experts believe that the comet may not have survived its recent encounter with the sun and is rapidly fading away.
Astrophysicist Karl Battams from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory expressed, “We’ll soon be left with just a dusty rubble pile.” Comets are remnants of frozen gas and dust dating back billions of years, with occasional appearances in the inner solar system. According to Jason Ybarra, director of the West Virginia University Planetarium and Observatory, comets serve as remnants of the solar system’s formation.
This latest comet was first spotted by amateur astronomers who noticed it in images captured by a spacecraft jointly operated by NASA and the European Space Agency. Unlike previous comets such as Tsuchinshan-Atlas in 2020, Comet SWAN was not set to approach Earth closely. Known green in color, the comet would have been a challenge to spot with the naked eye just after sunset, residing slightly north of where the sun dipped below the horizon.
Designated as C/2025 F2, experts believe that this comet could potentially be on its inaugural journey past the sun, leaving it susceptible to disintegration. After completing its flyby, whatever fragments remain of the comet will drift into the outer edges of the solar system, possibly beyond its initial origin point, beyond reach for scientists to predict its next appearance.
Karl Battams remarked, “It’s going to go so far out that we have no idea if it’s ever going to return.” Astronomy enthusiasts and researchers will have to bid farewell to Comet SWAN as it ventures out into the vastness of space, leaving behind a brief but memorable celestial display for those lucky enough to witness it.