Will reach our planet next year
The massive volcanic “devil comet” 12P/Pons-Brooks, which is hurtling towards Earth, appears to have lost the “horns” that gave it its nickname and has turned green after yet another eruption, writes Space.com.
The comet’s latest and most powerful eruption occurred last week, after which scientists discovered that its “spikes” had disappeared and new characteristics had appeared, including a green tint and a “mysterious shadow.”
The “Devil’s Comet” will approach Earth at its maximum distance in 70 years next year. It is expected to be visible to the naked eye on June 2, 2024.
Comet 12P is a massive celestial body with a diameter of 30 km. It is a cryovolcanic or cold volcanic comet, which consists of an icy shell and a core filled with ice and gas. When it absorbs a sufficient amount of solar radiation, its frosty “filling” – cryomagma – begins to overheat.
We previously reported that Comet Nishimura passed near the Earth in September.
