As we await April’s super rare total solar eclipse and all the events and festivities that are being held to celebrate the celestial event, there are more astrological wonders coming to the sky!
A massive comet three times the size of Mount Everest (according to Space.com) is soaring through the sky towards Earth, and it could soon be seen with the naked eye!
The comet first made headlines in July of last year (2023) after having its first erratic outburst in 69 years. Though officially dubbed 12P/Pons-Brooks, the comet acquired the nickname the Devil Comet after the eruption altered the shape of it, making it look like it had “demonic horns,” according to Live Science.
Though it no longer has devil horns, it’s since been erupting pretty frequently.
According to Live Science, the rare Devil Comet is only visible every 70 years. It measures 10.5 miles-wide, and is a “ball of ice and rock that circles the sun on a highly elliptical…orbit roughly every 71 years and is currently zooming toward [Earth].”
The comet is currently soaring through the inner solar system at speeds of around 40,000 mph, and as it travels closer to the sun, its green hue and sizable tail have grown and become more visible.
According to Live Science, it will reach its closest point to the sun on April 24th, “after which it will slingshot around our home star and be catapulted past Earth on its way back into the outer reaches of our cosmic neighborhood.” It will reach its closest point to Earth on June 2nd, which will then make it possible to be seen with the naked eye.
The science website also states some astrophotographers are hoping the comet will be visible during April’s rare total solar eclipse, though it will likely need to undergo another large eruption to make that possible.
According to Space.com, by the end of March the Devil Comet may brighten to reach naked-eye visibility at dusk against the constellation of Aries in the western horizon.
From then on the comet will disappear into sunset glow during April before reaching its closest point to Earth where it will then rapidly fade and become visible to Southern Hemisphere observers. It will then disappear from view until 2095.
With a dark sky, mild weather, and a bit of luck, you should be able to see the Devil Comet. And though it’s set to become brighter, with the chance of being seen by the naked eye, a pair of binoculars or a telescope will likely be needed to see it in many places.