The “Devil Comet” to Make Rare Appearance in the Sky
Skygazers in the Northern Hemisphere will have a unique opportunity this weekend to witness a celestial event that has not occurred since the 1950s. The 12P/Pons-Brooks comet, also known as the “devil comet” or “Mother of Dragons comet,” will be most visible on Sunday as it approaches the sun.
Measuring 10.5 miles wide, the comet is a frozen green ball of ice, dust, and rocks that will be approximately 144 million miles away from the sun at its closest point, known as perihelion. To spot the comet, observers can use binoculars or a small telescope to look for a circular, wispy patch of light with a gas tail pointing up and to the left of the comet’s bright head.
The comet will be visible beneath the moon and to the right of Jupiter shortly after sunset. However, it will become more difficult to view as the night progresses and will set within an hour after sunset. This unique sighting is considered a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, as the comet completes its orbit around the sun only once every 71 years.
As a rare cryovolcanic or cold volcanic comet, Pons-Brooks has had several outbursts in the past, causing major eruptions and a horn-like appearance. However, the comet has since lost its devil horns as it moved through the solar system and lost a piece of ice that created the effect.
After completing its orbit this time around, the next opportunity to catch a glimpse of the devil comet will not be until the summer of 2095. Don’t miss this rare chance to witness a truly unique astronomical event in the night sky this weekend.
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