People wait for the partial lunar eclipse over Vienna, on July 16, 2019. Astronomers say comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will soon be visible with the naked eye.
George Hochmuth/AFP via Getty Images
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George Hochmuth/AFP via Getty Images
People wait for the partial lunar eclipse over Vienna, on July 16, 2019. Astronomers say comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will soon be visible with the naked eye.
George Hochmuth/AFP via Getty Images
A rarely seen comet, famous for its colorful flares, has once again become visible from Earth.
Even more surprising is that the most recent arrival of the comet – officially known as 12P/Pons-Brooks – It coincides With a total solar eclipse next month, it can be observed during the event.
According to NASA, Comets They are frozen artifacts of the formation of the solar system made up of dust, rocks and ice. Comets are tens of miles across and have tails millions of miles long. Comets heat up and become brighter as they get closer to the Sun.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks takes 71 years old To fly around the sun will next Reaching perihelion – the point in its elliptical orbit when it is closest to the sun – on April 21.
This comet is particularly vulnerable to explosions.
12P/Pons-Brooks erupted most recently on October 5, November 1 and 14, December 14 and January 18, according to Space.com website. The area around the accreting comet could also be Yeshua Green and red and produces a long blue tail.
The explosive outbursts of 12P/Pons-Brooks can also give the celestial body a horseshoe shape resembling horns, leading to its popular nickname: “Devil's Comet.”
For now, stargazers may be able to Look at the comet By pointing a telescope or binoculars towards the constellation Pisces in the early evening. Astronomers say it will soon be visible with the naked eye.
The comet was first observed by French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons in 1812, then was accidentally found again – or “recovered” – by American astronomer William Brooks in 1883. Sky and telescope mentioned.
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