---
title: "This Dumbass Comet Just Flew Directly Into the Sun"
description: "Scientists just watched as a doomed sungrazer comet hurtled directly toward the Sun, ultimately crumbling apart along the way."
date: "2020-08-27"
modified: "2020-08-27"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/comet-flew-directly-into-sun"
categories:
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "comet"
  - "space"
  - "Sun"
  - "the digest"
---

# This Dumbass Comet Just Flew Directly Into the Sun

![Scientists just watched as a doomed sungrazer comet hurtled directly toward the Sun, ultimately crumbling apart along the way.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/comet-rocketed-directly-into-sun.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Pixabay/Futurism\</em\>*

## Leeeeroy Jenkins

On Thursday, NASA watched as a "sungrazer comet" sailed through space on a self-destructive collision course with the Sun.

Unfortunately, the poor fella didn't survive its close encounter, *[CNET](<https://www.cnet.com/news/bright-comet-caught-recklessly-racing-toward-the-sun/>)*[ reports](<https://www.cnet.com/news/bright-comet-caught-recklessly-racing-toward-the-sun/>). Perhaps that's not all that surprising for anything hurtling toward the Sun, but astronomers did get some [fascinating footage](<https://twitter.com/halocme/status/1299020972951928833>) as they watched the comet break apart in real-time.

https://twitter.com/halocme/status/1299020972951928833

## Rest In Peace

NASA and the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) spotted the comet after it let out a bright flash of light on its approach. Sungrazer comets are fairly common, *CNET* reports, but it's unusual for them to announce themselves with such dramatic flair. Unfortunately, this one's journey is already over.

"This is not survivable for a little comet," NASA and NRL researcher Karl Battams [wrote in a tweet](<https://twitter.com/SungrazerComets/status/1298764340565286912?>) about the comet's trajectory.

https://twitter.com/SungrazerComets/status/1298764340565286912?

## Doomed Journey

Even aside from its final destination, the scientists observing the comet could tell it was doomed by looking at its tail.

In [another tweet](<https://twitter.com/SungrazerComets/status/1298968220808941568>), Battams pointed out that the comet didn't have a [regular tail](<https://futurism.com/amazing-shots-neowise-comet>). Instead, it was leaving a trail of debris and boulders behind as it rapidly broke apart on its journey. Needless to say, we'll be pouring one out.

https://twitter.com/SungrazerComets/status/1298968220808941568

**READ MORE:** [Bright comet caught recklessly racing toward the sun](<https://www.cnet.com/news/bright-comet-caught-recklessly-racing-toward-the-sun/>) \[*CNET*\]

**More on comets:** *[Here Are The Most Amazing Shots of the NEOWISE Comet](<https://futurism.com/amazing-shots-neowise-comet>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)