Officially known as 12P/Pons-Brooks, it earned its nickname due to the formation of two “horns” composed of ice and gas; it will be closest to Earth on June 2nd next year
9 nov
2023
– 09h02
(updated at 9:16 am)
A huge celestial body known as the Devil’s Comet will pass by Earth for the first time in more than 70 years next year. 12P/Pons-Brooks, as it is officially called, gained its nickname due to the formation of two “horns” composed of ice and gas, according to information from ABC News. According to experts, it has been exceptionally bright compared to other comets, although it poses no threat to Earth’s inhabitants.
Also according to ABC News, comets are composed of dust, frozen gases, ice and rocks joined together after the formation of the solar system. “As they get closer to the sun, they slowly become hotter and brighter. The ice turns to gas and pushes away the dust, forming the traditional tail associated with comets. 12P/Pons-Brooks, however, has undergone enormous increases in brightness with two major eruptions, the first occurring in July 2023.”
These explosions allowed the object to become dark enough that, in some cases, it could be seen without the need for large professional telescopes.
According to the Earth Sky website, on July 20 of this year, the comet had what is called an explosion, suddenly increasing in brightness by around six magnitudes. However, the comet is not yet bright enough to be seen with ordinary binoculars. It is only within the reach of large telescopes, which could change next year.
During a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada, the comet will have the potential to become very bright and be seen with binoculars, as long as the sky is clear of clouds.
The point in the orbit where it will be closest to the Sun will be on April 21st of next year. The closest approach to Earth is scheduled for June 2, 2024.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is a periodic Halley-type comet that was first discovered by Jean-Louis Pons on July 12, 1812 and then independently rediscovered by William Robert Brooks in 1883, according to the website TheSkyLive .with. In this way, he received the surname of both observers.
Currently, the comet appears to be sailing among the stars of Draco the Dragon from our Earthly perspective, according to the website.
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2023-11-09 12:02:00
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