Comet to Impact the Sun This December

A group of experts say that a comet which was only recently discovered is well on its way to a mid-December collision with the Sun. The object is part of a class of comets called sungrazers, meaning they move very closely to the surface of the star during their pass through the inner solar system.

In many instances, such close passes lead to the disintegration of the comet altogether. This happened several times this year alone, including with a couple of bodies that were originally thought to pose a potential hazard to our planet.

When the new sungrazer comet will pass through the Sun's photosphere, it will be subjected to temperatures exceeding 2 million degrees Celsius, or roughly 3.6 million degrees Fahrenheit. This will instantly vaporize any traces of water or ice it may contain.

The comet is called C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy), after its discoverer, Terry Lovejoy, Space reports.