Great news! Scientists have just discovered a ginormous comet, which is three times larger than Mount Everest, zooming through space on its way to Earth. Before you start panicking, let me assure you that there’s absolutely no need to be alarmed. This magnificent celestial visitor, while not heading for a collision, will be making a dazzling appearance for all to see on April 21, 2024, when it comes closest to our planet. So mark your calendars and get ready to witness this incredible sight with your own eyes!
This amazing celestial body, known as 12P/Pons-Brooks, is what we call a cryovolcanic comet. These types of comets are just fascinating! Imagine having a solid core that stretches an impressive 18.6 miles (30 km), all comprised of a fantastic mixture of ice, dust, and gases.
It’s like the carbonation in a soda bottle! When the sun warms up this comet, the pressure inside the icy magma builds up, just like when we shake a soda bottle. And then, boom! Nitrogen and carbon monoxide burst out, throwing icy fragments into the vastness of space through massive cracks in the comet’s outer layer. Can you picture how spectacular that must be? It’s truly a mesmerizing sight!
This comet is just as big as the famous Halley’s comet. The last time people could see it without a telescope was in 1954. It’s called a ‘Halley-type comet’ because it orbits the sun every 71 years. To give you some perspective, the legendary Halley’s comet takes around 75 years to orbit the sun, while most other comets usually take thousands of years.
Get ready for a spectacular show in the night sky! The Pons-Brooks comet will be making its closest approach to Earth in April 2024. But the excitement doesn’t end there. You can still catch a glimpse of this dazzling comet in May and June, with its peak brilliance expected on June 2, 2024.
After this amazing celestial encounter, the comet will begin its journey back to the outer reaches of our solar system. We’ll have to wait patiently until 2095 for its next anticipated return.
For those eager to witness the beauty of Pons-Brooks, you can find it within the Hercules constellation at the moment. Look towards the East-North-East direction, about 36 degrees above the horizon. And as the comet continues its voyage towards us, experts believe there might be even more breathtaking eruptions to come, possibly even more magnificent than before. So keep your eyes on the sky and get ready to be captivated by the wonders of the universe!
[sourcelink link=”https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12639279/Huge-comet-three-times-size-Mount-Everest-violently-exploded-racing-Earth-scientists-say.html”]
