Blazed by the heat of our Sun, Pons-Brooks is becoming increasingly active, presenting acaptivating spectaclefor astrophotographers.
Comet Pons-Brooks has an orbital period of 71.3 years; it doesnt come by very often.
Its nucleus is estimated to be around 20 miles (32 kilometers) wide.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks as viewed from Finland.Image: Petri Kuossari
Prone to outbursts
Pons-Brooks has undergone several outbursts since its first tantrum on July 20, 2023.
As the dust from the outburst expanded, it looked like the shape of the Millennium Falcon.
This also gave it a distinctly horn-like shape, earning it the nickname Devil Comet.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks as it appeared from Italy on March 14.Image: Virtual Telescope Project 2.0
In astronomy, the lower the magnitude, the brighter the appearance.
This presents a big challenge, requiring sufficiently darkened skies, skill, and nerves of steel.
At its farthest point, aphelion, the comet will be within 17.2 AU of the Sun.
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