Comet 12P is heading towards Earth, glowing as a result of large volcanic eruptions.
A comet with a diameter of 30 kilometers is the latest sighting in space.
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Comets are part of everyday life in space. They should not be confused with asteroids or meteorites as there are differences between them. They are made of ice and travel very quickly through space. Humans have known about these space objects for a long time, but now astronomers are paying close attention because of their violent explosions.
specific We refer to comet 12P/Pons-Brooks It is 30 kilometers in diameter and has a solid core. According to an article Interesting geometry According to the latest data collected about it, this comet is a cryovolcanic comet. That is, it suffers from violent volcanic eruptions that do not release magma, but rather occur cold.
This comet is now heading towards Earth, but not without danger
Out there, in infinite space, there are objects made of completely different materials. Comets are one of these bodies made of ice and rock, and are sometimes surrounded by a steamy atmosphere due to the gases they emit. Comet 12P belongs to this category, and not only that, it is very special.
Because of its size and nucleus, comet 12P travels through space surrounded by a diffuse gas known as a “coma.” This gas is expelled from within the comet by time and above all by solar radiation. As its temperature increases, the comet emits more and more Pressure to dangerous levels.
Comet 12P’s explosion in the middle of space captured by astronomers. Source: Richard Miles
What happens next? The flash we talked about in the title. With high pressure, the surface between the surface layer and the core cracks It releases a large column of ice and gas This causes a violent volcanic eruption, shooting flashes into the middle of space. In fact, astronomers managed to catch the last of them.
Comet 12P travels at maximum speed through the solar system and its complete orbit takes 71 years. This means that after this period it can only be seen once. finally The explosions produced are more intense and occur when they pass close to the Sun. Regardless, readers should know that he is now heading towards Earth. Nothing to fear though.
Comet 12P is the closest to Earth. Write well next April 21, 2024. That day will be known in some parts of the world and we will reveal it in due course when it comes. Meanwhile, in another line of space news, some amateur astronomers were able to record the moment a meteorite collided with Jupiter. Apart from that, they also discovered a meteorite as old as our solar system.
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