An Unusual Comet to Appear During Total Solar Eclipse in April
An unusual horned comet, known as Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, is set to make a rare appearance during the total solar eclipse on April 8. Astronomers have observed a series of recent outbursts from this comet, which has garnered comparisons to the Millennium Falcon spacecraft from the “Star Wars” films due to its unique shape. Scientists are still trying to understand why the comet takes on this distinctive form when it becomes explosively active.
This celestial object only orbits the sun once every 71 years, similar to Halley’s Comet, making the opportunity to study it up close a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. Given that the comet won’t pass by Earth once more for decades, collective observations by astronomers during its current visibility might provide crucial insights into its nature and behavior.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will reach its closest point to the sun on April 21, coming within 74.4 million miles (119.7 million kilometers) of our star. Although it will also make its closest pass to Earth on June 2, it will be 139.4 million miles (224.4 million kilometers) away and won’t pose a risk. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, the last 10 days of March offer the best viewing opportunities. The comet will brighten as it gets closer to the sun, becoming visible to the naked eye in the western horizon regarding an hour following sunset. It is advisable to use binoculars for optimal viewing.
After April 2, the comet will move into the daytime sky, rendering it invisible for sky-gazers at night. However, it will be visible during the total solar eclipse on April 8 when the moon’s shadow temporarily blocks the sun’s face from view. The comet will be located approximately 25 degrees away from the eclipsed sun, and it should be relatively easy to find during the eclipse.
Comets are frozen remnants from
