Derby, United Kingdom – Stargazers in Derbyshire have been treated to a rare celestial sight as a “once in a lifetime” comet graced the night sky. Paul Mason, 58, captured the stunning Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks from the vantage point of his garage roof in Melbourne, calling it a moment he won’t soon forget. The comet’s fleeting visit to Earth occurs only once every 71 years, making this a truly special event for astronomers and skywatchers alike.
Known as the “Devil’s Comet,” Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks was first discovered in 1812 by Jean-Louis Pons and later spotted again in 1883 by William Robert Brooks. The comet, larger than Mount Everest, is composed of dust and ice, leaving a vibrant green tail in its wake as it passes by the Sun. Classified as a cryovolcanic comet, it possesses an icy volcano that spews out dust, gases, and ice when pressure builds up inside.
According to the National Space Centre (NSC), Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks has the potential to become “naked-eye visible” in the following weeks, reaching its brightest point on April 21st. However, the comet’s visibility will gradually diminish as daylight hours increase in the evening. To catch a glimpse of this rare phenomenon, the NSC recommends using binoculars or a telescope to spot a “fuzzy star” located to the right of Jupiter in the western sky during twilight.
For those who miss out on viewing Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks this time around, the next opportunity won’t present itself until the summer of 2095. Therefore, astronomers and skywatchers are urged to seize the chance to witness this extraordinary comet while they still can. The allure of gazing at a celestial beauty like Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks serves as a reminder of the wonders of the universe and the mysteries that lie beyond our own planet.