New York, NY – Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the “devil comet” and the “Mother of Dragons” comet, is currently gracing the night skies of the northern hemisphere, offering a mesmerizing display for skywatchers and scientists alike.
This Halley-type comet, with a nucleus approximately 30 kilometers in diameter, is renowned for its extraordinary outbursts of gas and dust as it journeys through the inner solar system every 71 years.
Named the devil comet due to its distinctive “horned” appearance, Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks has also been linked to the kappa-Draconids, a meteor shower that occurs annually from late November to December.
Like other comets, 12P/Pons-Brooks is composed of a mix of ice, dust, and rocky material. As it approaches the Sun, the ice undergoes a transformation from solid to gas, resulting in the expulsion of gas and dust from the comet’s surface, forming a striking tail shaped by solar winds.
Cryovolcanic comets, a fascinating class of celestial objects that exhibit unique geological activity, including cryovolcanoes that erupt with volatile materials like water, ammonia, or methane, offer valuable insights into the composition and structure of these icy bodies.
Studying cryovolcanic comets provides scientists with a deeper understanding of the conditions within comets and their role in shaping the solar system’s formation and evolution. Notable examples include 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 and Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, both showcasing evidence of cryovolcanic activity.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, visible in late March and early April above the western horizon in the post-dusk hours, will reach its closest point to Earth in June 2024 before disappearing from view in the northern hemisphere.
The legacy of the comet’s name is tied to astronomers Jean-Louis Pons, who discovered 37 comets between 1801 and 1827, and William R. Brooks, with 27 comet discoveries, both leaving a profound mark on the field of astronomy.
Known for its vivid outbursts during close approaches to the Sun, Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks has been observed for centuries, with significant sightings dating back to as early as 1385 in China and 1457 in Italy.
Comets like 12P/Pons-Brooks, considered as “ancient cosmic icebergs,” offer valuable scientific insights into the early solar system’s structure and dynamics, highlighting the intricate gravitational forces at play within our cosmic neighborhood.