The Sun is about to swallow another comet
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Started by metmike - Oct. 22, 2022, 12:13 p.m.

https://spaceweather.com/

THE SUN IS ABOUT TO SWALLOW ANOTHER COMET: For the second time in a week, a bright comet is diving into the sun. The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) is monitoring the comet's approach:

                          


                          

This is  a Kreutz sungrazer--a fragment from the breakup of  a  single giant comet many centuries ago. Named after German astronomer Heinrich Kreutz, who studied them in 19th century, Kreutz sungrazers pass by the sun and   disintegrate almost every day. SOHO has  seen thousands of them.   Most,   measuring    less than a few meters across,  are   too   small to see, but occasionally a bigger fragment like this one  attracts     attention. 

                         There's no chance this comet will survive. As it approaches the sun on Oct. 22nd, fierce heat will completely vaporize the comet's icy core, leaving at most a fading decapitated tail. Stay tuned for an updated movie later today.                          

PS. If this story gives you a sense of déjà vu, it's because exactly the same thing happened last weekend when another Kreutz fragment dive-bombed the sun. It really does happen all the time. 

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By metmike - Oct. 22, 2022, 12:40 p.m.
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