Rare Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks Approaching Closest Point to Earth

Jakarta –

A comet named 12P/Pons-Brooks is currently approaching its closest point to Earth, during its 71 year orbit through the solar system.

This comet has an unusual appearance because it looks like it has a horn that grows after it explodes. This is the first time the comet has erupted in nearly 70 years.

Comet 12P is a type of comet cryovolcanic or cold volcano. Like other comets, this object is made of a solid nucleus or core filled with a mixture of ice, dust and gas, then surrounded by a kind of fuzzy gas called a coma. This fuzzy gas escapes from inside the comet.

However, unlike most comets, gas and ice in 12P’s core accumulated in such a way that the object exploded. This extraterrestrial object shoots its frozen contents called cryomagma through large cracks in the nuclear envelope.

On July 20, several astronomers detected a large explosion from within the comet. This causes it to be 100 times brighter than normal, according to Spaceweather.com, quoted from Live Science.

According to astronomer Richard Miles, on July 26 yesterday, comet 12P’s coma expanded to about 230 thousand kilometers, or 7 thousand times wider than its nucleus which is estimated to be about 30 kilometers in diameter.

This unusual comma shape is thought to be due to the unique shape of the nucleus. The escaping gas is most likely partially obstructed by the protruding lobes of the nucleus. As the gas moves away from the comet and expands, this coma shadow becomes more visible.

Comet 12P has one of the longest known orbital periods of any comet. It takes about 71 years for this comet to completely orbit the Sun.

Comet 12P will reach its closest point to the Sun on April 21, 2024 and will be closest to Earth on June 2, 2024. According to Spaceweather.com, when it is closest to Earth, this comet will be visible in the night sky.

Watch Video “Appearance of a Rare Green Comet Through Telescope”

(nah/nwk)

2023-07-29 12:00:00
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