Devil's Comet races towards Earth at incredible speed: What is known

What is known about the Devil's Comet

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is hurtling towards the Sun and Earth at a speed of over 64,000 km/h. It earned the nickname Devil's Comet after astronomers observed eruptions on it for the first time in 69 years in July of this year. As a result of the comet's coma, a cloud of gas and dust surrounding the icy object, taking on a peculiar shape resembling horns.

In November, the comet erupted for the fourth time in the last few months, making this celestial body 100 times brighter. After this eruption, the unusual horns of the comet disappeared, and the comet became perfectly round.

Scientists speculate that all the eruptions could have disrupted the prominence on the comet, which caused the coma to take on an unusual shape. It is likely that the horns have disappeared permanently, and it no longer corresponds to its devilish nickname.

Here is how the horns of the comet looked before (photo: Space)

Why the сomet еurned green

Scientists have discovered that after the latest eruption, the comet turned green, or rather, its coma acquired this color. Comets with a high concentration of the chemical compound diatomic carbon often display such unusual and rare coloring.

Scientists estimate that Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will come closest to the Sun at the end of April next year and to Earth in early June. It will be visible even to the naked eye in the night sky.

Afterward, the Devil's Comet will once again travel to the outskirts of the Solar System. Its orbital period is 71 years, so humanity will have the opportunity to see it again in 2094.

After the fourth eruption, the comet acquired a green color (photo: Space)

Also, read about the fact that a large green comet is approaching Earth, which can be seen once every 3000 years.