APOD: 2026 August 24 – Comet 220P in Outburst

Comet 220P is currently experiencing an unexpected surge in brightness. As NASA Science reports, two recent outbursts have made the object about twenty thousand times brighter than usual, allowing it to be seen with binoculars rather than just telescopes. While the exact cause is unknown, astronomers suggest the glow could be triggered by comet quakes or the release of subsurface gas. The comet is expected to fade quickly after it passes about one Earth-Sun distance from our planet in October.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton