A new comet approaching the sun has caught the attention of astronomers, primarily because of its lineage. It appears to belong to a group of comets that in some cases have briefly become outstandingly bright objects.
About sixty-six comet groups have been tentatively identified, of which there are fifteen that can be regarded as well-established and have been designated by letters from A to Q ("I" and "J" designations were not used). The members of the "M" group have a special name. In his 1997 book "Comet of the Century" (Springer-Verlag New York Inc.) popular astronomy author Fred Schaaf writes that "The very mention of this name sends chills of awe down the spines of comet observers." They are the Kreutz sungrazers.
