## Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) is Fragmenting,New Images Reveal
Newly released images from the 1.82-meter Copernicus telescope at the Asiago Observatory in Italy show comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) undergoing fragmentation. The observations, captured on November 11, 2025, reveal the comet is visibly breaking apart as it journeys toward the inner solar system.
this disintegration, while not uncommon for comets, is notably noteworthy as C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) has the potential to become a remarkably radiant object visible to the naked eye in the coming months. Its current fragmentation raises questions about whether it will maintain its brightness or if the breakup will diminish its visibility. Comets are fragile icy bodies,and as they approach the sun,increased solar radiation causes them to heat up and release gas and dust,often leading to fragmentation.
Like many comets, C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) is believed to originate from the Oort cloud, a distant spherical shell of icy bodies surrounding our solar system. This region is the source of many long-period comets – those with orbital periods of hundreds or even thousands of years. The Oort cloud is thought to contain billions of these icy objects,some large enough to be classified as dwarf planets.
Skywatchers interested in observing this comet and others from the outer solar system can find resources on equipment such as smart telescopes, cameras,and lenses for astrophotography. A guide on viewing and photographing comets is also available.
*If you would like to share your comet photos with Space.com’s readers, please send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.*
