What is known about the Devil’s Comet
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is hurtling towards the Sun and Earth at over 64,000 km/h. It was nicknamed the Devil’s Comet after astronomers saw it erupt for the first time in 69 years in July this year. As a result, the comet’s coma, a cloud of gas and dust surrounding the icy object, took on a strange shape that resembled “horns.”
In November, the comet exploded for the fourth time in as many months. As a result, this celestial body became 100 times brighter. After this explosion, the unusual “horns” of the comet disappeared and it became completely round.
Scientists suggest that all the eruptions could have destroyed a bulge on the comet, thanks to which the coma acquired an unusual shape. Probably the “horns” have disappeared forever and the comet no longer lives up to its devilish nickname.
This is what the comet’s “horns” used to look like (photo: Space)
Why did the comet turn green?
Scientists discovered that after the last eruption the comet turned green, or more correctly, its coma became this color. Comets that contain a lot of the chemical substance bicarbon have such an unusual and rare color.
Scientists estimate that Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will make its closest approach to the Sun next year in late April, and at its closest approach to Earth in early June. It can be seen even with the naked eye in the night sky.
Then the Devil’s Comet will fly again to the outskirts of the solar system. Its orbital period is 71 years, so the next time humanity will be able to see it is in 2094.
After the fourth explosion, the comet turned green (photo: Space)
