Video of Comet Impacting the Sun

This amazing video sent back by the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows how a speeding comet slammed itself into the Sun. According to solar physicists, the ensuing blast that occurred on the other side of the star was not caused by the impact.

The collision took place over the weekend, when a sungrazer comet – named thusly because they have a tendency to either skin the solar surface or plunge straight into it – experienced a decay in its orbit, and was set on a collision course.

Immediately after it impacted the solar surface, a large coronal mass ejection (CME) occurred on the opposite side of the star. The event was observed using the NASA SDO and STEREO telescopes, as well as the European Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO).

According to investigators, comets are unlikely to be capable of producing the rapid magnetic field modifications that are thought to be required for triggering the release of a CME. Now, sit back and enjoy the light show!