A smallish comet, Comet Lovejoy, was supposed to die Thursday night as it made a close approach to the sun. Hundreds of other comets have made this same journey, and they all melted in the heat of the sun.
Astronomers watched as the comet entered the sun’s atmosphere about 75,000 miles above the scorching surface, but the comet ended up coming out the other side of the sun. It just barely survived the sun’s blaze; only about 10 percent of the comet remains, though this is still millions of tons.
Most unfortunately for the comet, it lost its tail. However, it should not approach the sun again for another 800 to 900 years.
The comet was discovered earlier this month by an amateur astronomer in Australia.
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