A rare conjunction on April 8th!The Devil’s Comet will occur at the same time as the total solar eclipse and is expected to show celestial wonders

Comet 12P/Ponsbrooks, affectionately known as the “Devil’s Comet,” will make an extraordinary conjunction with the Great North American Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, a cosmic ballet that will fascinate astronomy enthusiasts. Extraordinary alignment, uncertainty hangs over whether the comet will reveal itself to the naked eye during a daytime solar eclipse.

The journey of the “Devil’s Comet”

Called a “dirty snowball” by the late Harvard astronomer Fred Whipple, comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is currently passing near our celestial body, reaching perihelion (its closest approach to the sun) on April 21, possibly marking its peak brightness on June 2, when it is closest to Earth. According to NASA, under the warmth of the sun, Pons-Brooks is evolving into a mesmerizing spectacle, providing a visual feast for stargazers and astrophotographers.

Also read: Meta Platforms, Microsoft, X corp unite against Apple’s App Store plans

The erratic nature of comet Pons-Brooks

Since its first notable tantrum on July 20, 2023, Comet Pons-Brooks has experienced several outbursts that have attracted attention, including the most recent one on March 1, which created its unique Horn-like appearance, earning it the nickname “Devil’s Comet”. As Ariel Graykowski, a postdoctoral researcher at the SETI Institute, points out, these strange shapes are likely the result of the comet’s nucleus casting a shadow on the comet’s fuzzy coma.

Advice for observers

Excitement is growing as Pons-Brooks prepares for intensified activity in the coming weeks, possibly reaching a maximum brightness of around magnitude 4.0, although spotting it with the naked eye may require optimal viewing conditions and sky awareness . Observers in the Northern Hemisphere can currently see Pons-Brooks in the constellation Pisces in the early evening, with visibility expected to remain until early May, especially near perihelion.

Also Read: NASA MESSENGER Mission Discovery Suggests Ice on Mercury!Check out surprising facts

double day show

According to NASA, the total solar eclipse on April 8 provides the perfect opportunity to witness the wonders of a double sky. While capturing Pons Brooks next to a solar eclipse is a challenge, if equipped with the necessary skills and in dark enough skies, astrophotographers may take advantage of the opportunity. As Grekovsky suggested, binoculars or a telescope may be needed to spot the comet when viewing the eclipse, although its visibility during totality remains uncertain, depending on unusually dark conditions.

And one more thing! We can now use WhatsApp channels! Follow us so you don’t miss any updates from the world of technology. ‎To follow the HT Tech channel on WhatsApp, click here Join now!