Like Icarus of Greek mythology, this comet came a little too close to the sun.
NASA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) captured a comet as it neared the sun and died (the black disc is covering the sun in the video).
Get breaking National news
Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Comets, comprised of ice, rock and dust and gases, are scattered throughout our solar system. Every once in a while, one nears the sun causing the gases trapped within to vaporize.
- An army of ‘very hungry caterpillars’ invades a popular Alberta campground
- Canada ‘rising to the moment,’ federal energy minister tells Global Energy Show
- NASA reveals next steps to build permanent moon base
- Be bear aware: Increase in sightings, encounters prompts warning to Alberta backcountry users
This particular comet belongs to the Kruetz family, believed to have come from the break-up of one larger comet hundreds of years ago. These comets are called sungrazers due to their orbits that take them so close to the sun.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.