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JUNE 2020 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 9 In images captured by the Hubble Space Tele- scope, UCLA professor David Jewitt observed a comet breaking into more than two dozen fragments. The images are the sharpest views of the death of the fragile comet C/2019 Y4. Jewitt estimated that many of the fragments are the size of a house. The observation provides evidence that comet frag- mentation is probably common, and may even be the dominant mechanism by which the solid, icy nuclei of comets die. Because comets' deaths tend to occur unpredictably, reliable observations of their demise are rare, and astronomers are largely uncertain about what causes them to fragment. Comets are icy bodies thought to be fragments left behind when planets form in the outer parts of plane- tary systems. Images from the Hubble are giving astron- omers a look in unprecedented detail at the comet's pieces, which may yield new clues about the breakup. "Breakup, although still not well understood, could be the main destructive process for comets," said Jewitt, a UCLA professor of planetary science and astronomy and leader of one of two research teams that photographed and analyzed the comet. Jewitt said the appearance of the comet's fragments changed substantially from April 20 to 23, when the images were captured. "Suddenly, it has been thrust into the hot zone near the sun, and the stress of the new environment is causing it to disintegrate." (Source: UCLA Science and Technology) Disintegration of a Comet Observed by UCLA Astronomer Nolan Johnson is managing editor of SMT007 Magazine. Nolan brings 30 years of career experience focused almost entirely on electronics design and manufacturing. To contact Johnson, click here. tions based on some design on a stranger's mask. "Batman. Nice! In the DC universe, I'm more of a Flash fan myself…" In this issue, we asked the industry what lessons they've learned. That was a ques- tion rich with answers, as you'll soon see. Virtually every article, interview, and col- umn is a feature. It seems we've all learned plenty! I can't help but wonder how we'll all look at the next trade show. Something tells me that company logo masks will be the next big show floor giveaway. Will we feel foolish wearing our masks on the show floor, or will we feel foolish without them? Above all, pay attention to the les- sons we've learned and change behavior to match the new circumstances. Stay nimble and healthy. There are valuable lessons to learn. SMT007