C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) has broken into three distinct pieces following its closest approach to the sun on Oct. 8.
Astronomers have captured striking footage of the solar system comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) breaking apart on the nights following Nov. 11 after it was destabilized by a close brush with the sun in early October.
Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) brightened significantly in the months following its May 2025 discovery. As it got closer to the sun and heated up, the frozen gases in its core turned into gas and formed a reflective cloud around it known as a coma. Solar wind caused this gas to blow out behind it, forming the characteristic tail seen on most visible comets.
Sadly, C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) didn't brighten enough to become a naked eye comet. However, its close approach to the sun on Oct. 8 does appear to have wreaked havoc with the comet's structural integrity, setting the stage for the dramatic fragmentation of its ancient nucleus. Luckily for us, the fragmentation was captured on Nov. 11-12 by astronomers using the 1.82 m Copernicus telescope at the Asiago Observatory in Italy.
https://www.space.com/stargazing/comet-c2025k1-atlas-splits-into-3-pieces-after-close-brush-with-the-sun-video-nov-2025
5 Comments
Breaking apart so it can attack earth on multiple fronts! That’s basic intergalactic war theory.
“C/2025 K1 ATLAS is not related to the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS”
Way to make this the second to last paragraph Mr writer guy
Edit: if you’re like me and saw ATLAS and though oh shid here we go, just to learn it’s a different comet, this post is for you.
Not to be confused with 3I Atlas or any other comets discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System. They all get that ATLAS designation put on them. I am sure nobody will confuse one with another and make some crazy post about it.
Will Earth pass through it’s tail? Because in that case it breaking apart could deliver a spectacular meteor shower….
Edit: Nope, looks like the inclination is too steep, and it has not crossed our path: [Small-Body Database Lookup](https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=1004075&view=V)
NOT THE SAME AS THE INTERSTELLAR ONE! ATLAS is just a name they put at the end as it was discovered by the ATLAS team. i feel like the media knew this would cause confusion and get clicks