Spot the Spectacular 'Devil Comet' Before and During the Total Solar Eclipse
Witness the infamous 'devil comet' known for its explosive outbursts as it graces the night sky at present and makes a grand appearance during the upcoming total solar eclipse in April.
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An unusual horned comet, known for its recent outbursts, will be visible in the night sky throughout March. Astronomers predict that the comet, also called the devil comet, will make a rare appearance during the total solar eclipse on April 8.
The mysterious shape of the dynamic comet, often compared to the Millennium Falcon spacecraft from "Star Wars" when it becomes explosively active, continues to puzzle scientists. This celestial object, which orbits the sun only once every 71 years like Halley's Comet, offers a rare chance for close observation.
With the comet not expected to return to Earth's vicinity for many years, astronomers have a unique opportunity to gather collective observations that could reveal important details about the true characteristics and actions of Pons-Brooks.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the official name, will come closest to the sun on April 21, getting as close as 74.4 million miles (119.7 million kilometers) away. Then, on June 2, it will make its closest pass by Earth, but will be a safe distance of 139.4 million miles (224.4 million kilometers) away.
According to Dr. Paul Chodas, manager of the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, and Davide Farnocchia, navigation engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, the best time for those in the Northern Hemisphere to catch a glimpse of the comet will be during the last 10 days of March.
The comet will become brighter as it moves nearer to the sun. According to an email from Chodas and Farnocchia, it will be visible to the naked eye in the western sky about an hour after sunset. It's best to go to a spot away from city lights with a clear view of the western horizon. It's recommended to bring a pair of binoculars, as the comet might be difficult to spot without them.
Ring-tailed lemurs look on as children view a solar eclipse at the Japan Monkey Center in Inuyama city in Aichi prefecture, central Japan on May 21, 2012. Millions turned their eyes to the sky on both sides of the Pacific to gaze excitedly as a solar eclipse created a "ring of fire" at dawn in Asia and crept towards a darkening western US. AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS JAPAN OUT (Photo by JIJI PRESS / JIJI PRESS / AFP) (Photo by JIJI PRESS/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images)
Ring-tailed lemurs at the Japan Monkey Center in Inuyama city, Japan, watched as children observed a solar eclipse on May 21, 2012. People on both sides of the Pacific Ocean eagerly looked up to see the "ring of fire" solar eclipse at dawn in Asia and moving towards the western US.
The photo was taken by Jiji Press/AFP and shows the lemurs and children witnessing this natural phenomenon with excitement. Millions of people around the world were captivated by the solar eclipse, creating a memorable experience for all who witnessed it.
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After April 2, the comet will no longer be visible at night as it moves into the daytime sky. However, it will be visible on April 8 when the moon blocks the sun's face during a temporary eclipse.
According to Chodas and Farnocchia, the comet will be located around 25 degrees away from the eclipsed sun. They mentioned that it should be relatively easy to locate the comet during the total solar eclipse, along with several planets. Nonetheless, they emphasized that the main focus during those 4 minutes should be on the eclipse itself!
After the comet passes closest to the sun in late April, known as perihelion, it will become visible in the southern night sky, only seen by those in the Southern Hemisphere.
In 1812, two well-known discoverers, Jean-Louis Pons and William Robert Brooks, independently spotted the devil comet for the first time. According to Dr. Dave Schleicher, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory in Arizona, the comet has likely been orbiting the sun for thousands of years, long before astronomers understood comets as more than just "strange objects in the sky."
Astronomer Dr. Teddy Kareta, a postdoctoral associate at Lowell Observatory, estimates that the massive comet measures between 6.2 to 12.4 miles (10 to 20 kilometers) in diameter.
According to Schleicher, the rare visitor has a green appearance commonly seen in comets due to the presence of diatomic carbon molecules. These molecules absorb sunlight and emit a green color as observed from Earth.
A series of cosmic outbursts
Pons-Brooks caught the eye of astronomers when it displayed fascinating behavior, giving the comet a horned look as it traveled through our solar system.
The comet Pons-Brooks has been experiencing frequent outbursts in the past eight months, leading to the release of gas and dust. While such events are common in comets, the unique crescent or Pac-Man shape observed in Pons-Brooks makes it challenging to determine what is normal for this comet.
According to Schleicher, a scientist studying the comet, the high frequency of outbursts seen in Pons-Brooks is somewhat unusual. However, due to the lack of historical data, it is difficult to establish what is typical for this comet. The numerous outbursts over the past eight months suggest that this is a regular phenomenon for Pons-Brooks.
The Virtual Telescope Project captured a view of the comet over Manciano, in Italy's Tuscany region, under the darkest sky of the peninsula.
The Virtual Telescope Project captured a view of the comet over Manciano, in Italy's Tuscany region, under the darkest sky of the peninsula.
Gianluca Masi/Virtual Telescope Project
Comets are made up of dust, rock, and ice, which are leftovers from the creation of our solar system. These cosmic objects also have frozen elements like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Comets become hotter and more luminous as they get closer to the sun. According to Schleicher, some of the frozen gases inside comets start to change into vapor even with minimal warming up. Schleicher explained, "The main reason for this is the sun's heat. When the comet approaches the sun after being in a frozen state for a long time, the heat gradually penetrates from the surface to where the carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide ice is situated."
Astronomers believe that the Pons-Brooks outbursts have been happening due to repeated events where the heat from the sun vaporizes material inside the comet. This leads to pressure building up and eventually breaking through the surface. Although a gas explosion may not be visible through telescopes, the dust kicked up during the event creates the observable phenomenon seen from Pons-Brooks, as explained by Schleicher.
This composite image shows the progression of a partial solar eclipse over Ross Lake, in Northern Cascades National Park, Washington on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. A total solar eclipse swept across a narrow portion of the contiguous United States from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. A partial solar eclipse was visible across the entire North American continent along with parts of South America, Africa, and Europe.
A partial solar eclipse was captured over Ross Lake in Northern Cascades National Park, Washington on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. The image shows the progression of the eclipse. It was part of a total solar eclipse that crossed from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. The partial eclipse was visible across North America, as well as parts of South America, Africa, and Europe. The photo credit goes to Bill Ingalls/NASA.
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Scientists have discovered that the jets of material coming from the comet during its outburst originate from two specific regions on its surface. Astronomers are curious as to why the entire surface is not experiencing the same level of activity, according to Schleicher.
These findings suggest that either ice has formed a crust over most of the surface or the ice has been vaporized, leaving behind only dirt. However, astronomers are uncertain about which of these processes is the dominant factor.
What we can learn from comets
An overlapping series of events likely has contributed to Pons-Brooks’ distinctive look, but it could also be due to our perspective of the comet, Kareta said.
"These objects are three-dimensional," explained Kareta. "When we capture images of the night sky, we are limited to a range of colors flattened into two dimensions. This can make things appear more complicated than they really are, compared to seeing them from different perspectives in person."
Astronomers are studying Pons-Brooks to learn more about its rotation rate, or how fast comets spin as they travel through space. With a rotation period of 57 hours, longer than expected, astronomers are curious if the jets of material being released from the comet are affecting its speed.
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orig mclaughlin what is a solar eclipse _00005317.jpg
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Schleicher suggests that it would be better to start observing the comet now instead of waiting for the eclipse.
He shared, "I have witnessed many comets throughout the years. I have only experienced two total eclipses so far, and this upcoming one will be my third. The first total eclipse I saw was in 1991, from Baja. It was truly remarkable. I remember thinking to myself, no wonder this is considered the most spectacular sight in the sky that anyone on Earth can witness. Make sure to be in the path to witness it in its entirety. You won't fully grasp its beauty until you have seen one."
Editor's P/S:
The article delves into the fascinating world of comets, focusing on the enigmatic Pons-Brooks comet. Its unique horned shape and frequent outbursts have captivated astronomers, offering a glimpse into the mysteries of our solar system. The comet's rare appearance during the April 8 total solar eclipse provides an extraordinary opportunity for observation, allowing scientists to gather valuable data about its characteristics and behavior.
The article highlights the importance of studying comets like Pons-Brooks to unravel the secrets of their formation and evolution. By observing their outbursts, rotation rates, and chemical composition, astronomers can gain insights into the early days of our solar system and the processes that shape these celestial objects. The upcoming celestial event provides a unique opportunity to witness the beauty and scientific significance of comets, inspiring awe and wonder in all who behold them. best time to observe it in the Northern Hemisphere is during the last 10 days of March, those in the Southern Hemisphere can catch a glimpse of it in the night sky after it passes closest to the sun in late April. Whether viewed with the naked eye, binoculars, or through the lens of telescopes, Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks promises an unforgettable encounter with the wonders of the cosmos.
