New images show the death of 'other' comet ATLAS as it shatters into multiple fragments

Stunning new images reveal the spectacular, explosive demise of the "other" comet ATLAS, which is slowly breaking apart after meeting its catastrophic end earlier this month. Discovered in May by the ATLAS survey, comet C/2025 K1 ATLAS originated from the distant Oort Cloud. It passed closest to the sun on October 8, coming within 31 million miles. But it mostly went undetected until earlier this month. 

According to Space Weather, recent observations confirmed that the comet, often overshadowed by its interstellar namesake 3I/ATLAS that's been getting all the headlines, split into multiple pieces not far from the North Star. Photographer Michael Jäger captured the stunning breakup and observed that the comet had broken into three bright fragments after it experienced a surge in brightness earlier in November. "The animation shows it on November 12, 14, 18, 19, and 20th," Jäger said. Just days later, a fourth fragment appeared. An image captured on November 23 by Nick James of the British Astronomical Association showed this new piece. James not only pointed out the fourth fragment in the image, but also highlighted that one of the initial ones had brightened up significantly, thus hinting at the possibility of yet another fragment.

This "other ATLAS" comet also had one particularly rare feature: its gold color. While most comets sport green and blue hues, including the interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS, this object shines bright gold. Scientists think this is because of the unusual chemistry on this comet, notably an extreme dearth of carbon compounds, per LiveScience. This fragile composition might be why the comet was breaking apart at such a rapid pace. 

Further back on November 13, the Virtual Telescope Project reported a "dramatic situation," and astronomer Gianluca Masi confirmed that the object was breaking apart fast, since multiple fragments and debris clouds were visible. A high-resolution image captured from Manciano, Italy, noted that the picture clearly showed several independent pieces, or sub-nuclei, along with a notable plume erupting from the leading fragment. 

Further images taken on November 14 reinforced the earlier observation. The Virtual Telescope Project confirmed the presence of multiple sub-nuclei and debris clouds, with observers noting an intriguing arc-like feature pointing toward the Sun. Scientists suggest this breakup was likely triggered by an intense and sudden brightening that took place around the closest approach to the Sun on October 8. It was during that event that Comet K1 changed its colors dramatically, replacing its greenish hue with gold.

Comet K1 is 10th magnitude, and therefore an easy target for decent backyard telescopes. Look for the object in the pre-dawn sky, positioned roughly halfway between the Big Dipper and the North Star, and you may have a more than decent chance of laying your eyes on it, per Space Weather. 

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