In April, humanity will be able to observe a rare astronomical phenomenon – the passage of a comet “near” the Sun during a total solar eclipse. As he writes Live Sciencethe event will take place on April 8th.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, known as the Devil’s Comet, is about 17 kilometers in diameter and orbits the Sun in a highly elliptical orbit about once every 71 years. As it approaches the Sun, its icy shell loses stability and the comet ejects a mixture of ice and gas known as cryomagma into space. During early observations, the cryomagma eruptions resembled horns, prompting astronomers to give the comet the nickname “Devil’s Comet.”
Comet 12P is expected to make its closest approach to the Sun on April 24, after which it will begin moving in the opposite direction. During the total solar eclipse on April 8, the comet will be visible even through amateur telescopes and powerful camera lenses. True, this luxury will be available only to residents of certain regions of North America, where all this cosmic bacchanalia will be observed.
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It is noted that astrophotographers – fans of photographing cosmic phenomena – are already looking forward to the opportunity to capture both a total solar eclipse and a bright comet “near” the Sun in one image.
But, if the comet “explodes” with another burst of cryomagma a few days, or even more so, hours before the eclipse, then it will be possible to see it even with the naked eye. But you should still wear safety glasses when watching the solar eclipse, astronomers say.
Other news on space topics
As UNIAN wrote, astronomers have discovered three hitherto unknown planetary satellites that are hiding out of sight at the edge of the solar system. These moons orbit the two most distant planets – one around Uranus and two around Neptune.
We also told you that scientists do not exclude the existence of life in the far corners of the solar system. These thoughts are prompted by discoveries made by the James Webb Space Telescope.
