2024-03-15 00:48:06
Photograph of Comet Pons-Brooks taken on March 5, 2024 in the skies of Revúca, Slovakia. The comet stands out for its green coma (the coma is the cloud of dust and gas that surrounds the nucleus) and its long tail. (Credit: “Astronomy Picture of the Day” website/NASA/Petr Horálek/Opava Institute of Physics)
It took decades of waiting, but now Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as “Devil’s Comet,” is now visible in the night skies of planet Earth.
By: CNN
Currently it can be seen with focal instruments; However, in the coming weeks it may possibly be visible to the naked eye, according to NASA’s “Astronomy Picture of the Day” website.
Below, we give you all the information you need to know to sight this astronomical object.
What is the “devil’s comet”?
Pons-Brooks is a Halley-type comet that orbits our Sun once every 71 years, according to NASA.
Comets are called ‘Halley-type’ due to the duration of their orbit: objects in this category have orbital periods ranging between 20 and 200 years, explains Swinburne University (Australia).
Pons-Brooks, therefore, is within this range, as is Halley’s Comet, which gives its name to the category and which visits the interior of our solar system once every 76 years.
Regarding its nickname, NASA says, Pons-Brooks is known as the “devil’s comet” for its horn-shaped appearance.
According to the specialized site EarthSky, this comet was discovered by Jean-Louis Pons in 1812 and then once more by William Robert Brooks in 1883 (a difference of 71 years, the duration of the orbit), which is why this astronomical object carries the name “Pons-Brooks.”
When and from where to see it?
Comet Pons-Brooks began leaving traces in the sky since the middle of last year.
EarthSky points out that, on its way to the vicinity of the Sun, the “devil’s comet” had its first outburst on July 20, 2023, which might be seen by astronomical photographers.
Comet nuclei often produce outbursts, which, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, are sudden releases of dust and gas that increase the brightness of these objects.
Since then, Pons-Brooks has produced more outbursts and more are expected to come. What does this mean? That the comet will shine brighter in the sky, which will make it easier to spot.
Currently, NASA points out, the comet can be seen in the night skies of northern Earth with the help of binoculars or telescopes.
You can read the full note at CNN
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