Comet ATLAS Caught in the Act of Disintegration

By: Bob King January 20, 2025 9

Comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3) breakup evolution — You can see how quickly the comet's head changed over just 3 nights, starting sharp and bright, then becoming more diffuse. The bright streak is a synchrone and comprised of dust particles released at the time the nucleus fragmented. Larger, heavier particles reside near the nucleus while smaller ones are pushed tailward by solar radiation pressure, creating the streak.
*Lionel Majzik*

The nucleus of Comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3) held together during a brutal perihelion but not for long. Lionel Majzik of Hungary was the first to report and record dramatic changes in the comet between January 18th and 19th. The bright, strongly condensed head rapidly became more diffuse, a sure sign that its nucleus was disintegrating based on past observations of crumbling comets. His superb sequence, photographed remotely from Chile, clearly reveal the dramatic transformation, which was later confirmed by Australian observers.

Comet Lovejoy disintegration evolution — Comet Lovejoy rapidly evolved into a headless ghost after its nucleus disintegrated in December 2011. Although we don't know the exact cause of Comet ATLAS's breakup, it's likely that solar heating at perihelion caused intense jetting and outgassing from the nucleus, leading to fragmentation. For all their solid external appearance, comets are fragile, porous and subject to disruption.
*Jakub Černý*

You might think that after a breakup the comet would suddenly disappear. Thankfully it will still be around for days. The dust forming the tail was expelled prior to the breakup and will linger even as C/2024 G3 fades. Meanwhile, the comet's head will maintain its form but grow fainter and more diffuse. In other words, Southern Hemisphere observers and astrophotographers are still in for a show.

Comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3) fading — Comet ATLAS displays a spectacular fanned tail and weakening head on January 20, 2025 from Australia. Details: Seestar S50.
*Kelly Shung*

Amateurs have a special name for comets like these — headless wonders. I've seen a few over the years both with the naked-eye and telescopically. One night the comet looks completely normal with a bright, compact nuclear region and extended tail. The next night, the core is soft and diffuse, as if dissolving before your eyes. Days later the comet's tail maintains its shape in spite of the catastrophe. The best known of these is Comet Lovejoy (C/2011 W3). After an exceptionally close perihelion (140,000 kilometers) on December 16, 2011, the nucleus initially survived but then underwent a cataclysmic fragmentation just a few days later.

One the one hand it's disappointing to see a comet flame out as it were, but at the same time what's happening to Comet ATLAS is exactly why comet-lovers keep coming back for more. Surprises that can alter an object's appearance and future on such a short time scale are thrilling to see.

Comet ATLAS at dusk — On January 20th from Swan Hill, Victoria, Australia, the comet displayed a bright, naked-eye tail at least 2° long one hour after sunset. It was approximately second magnitude at the time. Through 8x40 binoculars the dust tail extended about 10° to the east. The comet's stood 4° high when the Sun was 12° below the horizon. Image details: Canon 6D using 70mm EF lens. 15 seconds at ISO 800,1600.
*Michael Mattiazzo*

Comet McNaught syndynes — Syndynes from Comet McNaught (C/2006 P1) were visible in complete darkness with the comet well below the horizon on January 19, 2007 from Duluth, Minnesota.
*Bob King*

Although fading, the comet remains an easy naked-eye sight for Southern Hemisphere observers. Are there any tidbits left over for northern observers? Possibly. With a wide-angle lens and tracked time-exposure of several minutes or more, it may be possible to record multiple, faint syndynes and striae poking over the southwest horizon. Make the attempt starting in late evening twilight through early darkness. You'll need an open horizon to the west-southwest. Syndynes are streaky, dust features in the tail's extremities and represent similar-sized particles ejected by the nucleus at different times. Truly, the show isn't over yet!

About Bob King

I love the sky (day and night) and have been a skywatcher and amateur astronomer since childhood. I'm also a long-time member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) and Astronomical League. I pen the Astro Bob blog and have written four books: Night Sky with the Naked Eye (2016); Wonders of the Night Sky You Must See Before You Die (2018) and Urban Legends from Space (2019) and Magnificent Aurora, published in 2024. The universe invites us on an adventure every single night. To accept the invitation, we only need look up.

Comments

accurateye

January 20, 2025 at 5:42 pm

Might produce a sharp peak in some future meteor shower.