A comet gets destroyed by the sun, data centers endanger the Potomac River, and more science news

Summary: The Artemis II astronauts are settling back into life on Earth, but we're not quite tired yet of hearing about their amazing journey.

Background

There's a new PBS documentary now streaming on YouTube that dives into the Artemis program and the latest efforts to send humans to the moon again.

Also this week, NASA shared some awesome images of a comet flying into the sun, the nonprofit American Rivers released its annual report on the most endangered rivers in the US and ESA posted a throwback image of Mars to highlight some interesting changes down on the surface.

Here are the science stories that caught our attention this week.

A comet grazes too close to the sun Earlier this month, a recently discovered comet made a close approach to the sun — but it couldn't handle the heat.

NASA has shared incredible images of the encounter that took place on April 4, showing the comet exploding into dust as it swings around our star.

Further details

As NASA notes in a social media post, this was "its first and last observed flyby of the Sun." The comet, C/2026 A1 (also known as MAPS) was first spotted on January 13 of this year.

As it neared the sun, it was observed by a slew of instruments: NASA and ESA's SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) spacecraft, NASA's STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) and NASA's PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere).

This allowed for views of its passage from multiple angles.

Seen in a narrow-field coronagraph view captured by SOHO, the comet appears to plunge directly into the sun.

But, the wide view from NASA's STEREO shows it actually swinging closely around the sun before breaking apart.

🧵2/4 This close-up coronagraph view from NASA/ESA’s SOHO spacecraft shows comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) approaching the Sun on April 4.

After the comet passes behind the disk, only a cloud of dust emerges.

pic.twitter.com/PbkzqPnZ5F — NASA Solar System (@NASASolarSystem) April 16, 2026 MAPS was one of a family of comets aptly called Kreutz sungrazing comets, and based on Karl Battams, the principal investigator for SOHO’s coronagraph, its destruction occurred likely several hours before what would have been its closest approach.

Context

Market participants continue to weigh supply dynamics, regulatory signals, and enterprise adoption when assessing near-term outcomes. Analyst commentary remains mixed, with emphasis on execution risk and timing of product rollouts.

Market participants continue to weigh supply dynamics, regulatory signals, and enterprise adoption when assessing near-term outcomes. Analyst commentary remains mixed, with emphasis on execution risk and timing of product rollouts.

On the innovation side, research teams focus on efficiency gains, reliability, and measurable customer outcomes rather than headline metrics alone. Field feedback and production telemetry increasingly shape iteration cycles.

Readers following this topic may also consult ongoing coverage from Reuters Technology and AP News Technology for additional primary reporting and market context.

Related coverage

2026's biggest crypto exploit: $292 million gets drained from Kelp DAO with wrapped ether stranded across 20 chains, ‘We keep our finances separate’: My boyfriend is in his 50s with no retirement savings — how worried should I be?