Halloween comet" not to be visible? Scientists reveal the fate of brightest comet supposed to light up skies in October

Recent observations from the South African Astronomical Observatory hint at possible fragmentation of C/2024 S1’s nucleus. (Image: Canva)

As skygazers marvel at comet Tsuchinshan ATLAS lighting up the western sky after sunset this week, another cosmic visitor might be ready to steal or spoil the show. While enthusiasts eagerly snap photos of this celestial wonder, excitement is mixed with uncertainty. A second comet, set to dazzle later this month, might just fade from view before its grand debut, leaving comet hunters with a bittersweet twist in the heavens.

Comet C/2024 S1 (ATLAS), a "Kreutz sungrazer," was discovered on September 27 by astronomers from the ATLAS survey in Hawaii. This comet, which is part of a fragment from a giant comet that broke apart over a thousand years ago, was expected to shine brighter than Venus by late October.

Recent observations from the South African Astronomical Observatory hint at possible fragmentation of C/2024 S1’s nucleus. This could be due to the vaporisation of a large amount of gas, combined with tidal forces, leading to its disintegration.

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Expected Visibility
C/2024 S1 (ATLAS) was predicted to be visible to the naked eye in the Southern Hemisphere from October 24-28 before sunrise. In the Northern Hemisphere, skywatchers anticipated spotting it after sunset from October 29-31. Some had hoped the comet would rival the brightness of Venus.

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The comet had been likened to C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy), another Kreutz sungrazer that unexpectedly became a bright “Christmas Comet” in December 2011. Experts hoped for a similar spectacle from C/2024 S1 (ATLAS), but recent developments have cast doubt on its future.

Break-up Risks
The potential break-up of C/2024 S1 (ATLAS) doesn't come as a surprise to astronomers. Dr. Qicheng Zhang of Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, has been closely monitoring the comet. He cautions that there is just as much chance it could disintegrate entirely before its closest approach to the sun on October 28, which would leave skywatchers with little to see in November.

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