Summary:
- Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) was a bright comet that was visible in the night sky in early 2020. It was discovered by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope in Hawaii.
- The comet's nucleus, or central core, broke apart into multiple fragments as it approached the Sun, which is a common occurrence for comets. This happens when the comet's icy surface heats up and the internal pressure causes the nucleus to break apart.
- Despite the breakup, the comet was still visible to stargazers for a few weeks before it faded from view. Studying the behavior of comets like ATLAS helps scientists understand more about the formation and evolution of our solar system.