Comet Ison destroyed in Sun passage [View all]

[Posteritatis]

Source: BBC News

Comet Ison was severely battered in its encounter with the Sun, and largely destroyed.

Telescopes saw the giant ball of ice and dust disappear behind the star, but only a dull streamer emerge.

Astronomers continued to search for the object, but it eventually became clear that the much vaunted "Comet of the Century" had gone out with a whimper.

Despite its great size, Ison was probably torn apart in the immense heat and tidal forces so close to the Sun.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25143861

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Alas.