See the Horned Comet. You have until March 17
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks shines in our sky again. You can still see it for a few nights, but later it may be difficult.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks it was discovered in 1812 by Jean-Louis Pons. It was observed again by William Robert Brooks only in 1883. It was the combined names of these two astronomers that created its name. The comet’s orbital period is 71 years, so that’s it Halley-type comet, because its orbital period is longer than 20 but shorter than 200 years. As it happens, it can now be observed in the sky again.
12P/Pons-Brooks getting brighter
After 71 years, a comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is approaching Earth again. Astronomers, hobbyists and amateurs have been able to observe it in the sky for several days now, and it will only get better. The object is constantly approaching our planet, so it will become brighter over time. Currently, the window lasts until March 17, where the comet can be observed. There will also be opportunities to see it in April.
COMETA 12P/Pons-Brooks
📷 James Peirce pic.twitter.com/0AYi0zsAKV
— Parc Astroòmic Prades (@parcastroprades) March 15, 2024
12P/Pons-Brooks will be closest to Earth on June 2, 2024. Then it will approach to a distance of about 232 million kilometers, so it does not pose any threat to our planet. It is called a “horned comet” because of its eruptions, after which clouds of ice and gas create a trail resembling horns. The facility is filled with cryomagma, a mixture of dust, gas and ice.
