• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
‘Devil comet’ bigger than Mount Everest will soon be visible to the naked eye for first time in 70 years

Home> Science> Space

Published 16:23 15 Mar 2024 GMT

‘Devil comet’ bigger than Mount Everest will soon be visible to the naked eye for first time in 70 years

Spotting this comet is practically a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Prudence Wade

Prudence Wade

The ‘devil comet’ that flies by Earth roughly every 70 years is back - and you’ll be able to see it with your own eyes later this month.

The rare opportunity will happen on the evenings of March 30 and 31, and if you’re lucky with clear skies, you’ll be able to take a peek at the comet – its official name being 12P/Pons-Brooks.

Giving off a green sheen, it will likely be visible as it moves from the constellation of Andromeda and into Pisces.

Vladimir Zapletin / Getty
Vladimir Zapletin / Getty

Advert

The comet will reach its closest point to the Sun on April 21, before taking off back out into the solar system, where it’ll start its orbit again.

It's known as a 'cryovolcanic comet', which means it consists of an icy shell filled with gas. As it gets closer to the Sun, it heats up and pressure mounts, meaning that eruptions can occur - like an ice volcano.

These eruptions create a haze around the comet which reflects sunlight and makes the comet look like it has horns after each eruption.

Astrophysicist Dr Paul Strøm, from the University of Warwick, told Metro.co.uk: “Right now, one of the brightest known periodic comets is on its way towards the Sun. The comet is expected to reach a magnitude of 4.5 which means it ought to be visible from a dark location in the UK.

Advert

“The comet moves from the constellation of Andromeda to Pisces. As it does so it passes by bright stars, which will make it easier to spot on certain dates. In particular, on March 31, 12P/Pons–Brooks will be only 0.5 a degree from the bright star called Hamal.”

Matteo Marchionni / Getty
Matteo Marchionni / Getty

The devil comet was first recorded in 1812 by Jean-Louis Pons, but observations weren’t precise enough to predict when or where it would return until it was rediscovered in 1883 by William Brooks.

However, modern astronomers think the comet might have been recorded on previous trips around the solar system too – the earliest being 1385.

Advert

It's a whopping 10.5 miles wide - meaning it's bigger than Mount Everest - but don't worry, we're not in any danger of it actually hitting Earth.

While you might get lucky and be able to see the comet with the naked eye, Dr Robert Massey, the deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society, told The Guardian: “If you have a half-decent pair of binoculars, certainly attempt to look for it with those," while also recommending sky-mapping apps for an extra hand.

Featured Image Credit: Jim Miller / WLADIMIR BULGAR/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty
Space
Earth
Sun

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

16 hours ago
17 hours ago
21 hours ago
23 hours ago
  • 16 hours ago

    Space capsule carrying ashes of 166 people plunges to Earth after hitting 'anomaly'

    It was only the second attempt at the mission

    Science
  • 17 hours ago

    Scientists make breakthrough in search for Amelia Earhart's plane that's been missing for 88 years

    Earhart mysteriously disappeared in 1937, leaving no trace of her whereabouts

    Science
  • 21 hours ago

    Groundbreaking drug can 'bring brain back to life' as Parkinson's reversal hope grows

    This could be a major breakthrough in cognitive health treatments

    Science
  • 23 hours ago

    Real story behind Africa's $12 trillion gold discovery after 31 million tonne rare metal discovery

    Experts have cast down on the original Ugandan claims

    Science