A Picture of the Sun Swallowing a Comet

A NASA spacecraft called the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) took a picture of a previously unknown comet crashing into our sun:

This is the third comet to swing by the sun this year. Known as sun-grazing comets, the icy objects most likely come from the outer solar system, though it is unlikely that any survive their encounters with the sun. [...]

Astronomers estimate that there may be more than 1,600 comets in our solar system that swing through its heart to pass by the sun during their travels. As of 2000, the definitive count for sun-grazing comets passed the 1,000 mark.

Link via Geekologie | Official Website | Photo: NASA