An extraordinary celestial event unfolds as Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, famously dubbed the ‘devil comet’, streaks across the sky in close proximity to the majestic Andromeda Galaxy. Enthusiasts and stargazers alike are in for a visual treat as this vibrant green comet makes its passage, promising captivating photographs and an exhilarating livestream experience.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, measuring 10.5 miles in diameter, embarks on a highly elliptical orbit around the sun every 71 years, earning its moniker as a cryovolcanic, or ice volcano, comet. Its recent eruptions, triggered by solar radiation cracking its icy nucleus, have illuminated the night sky, expanding its coma – a cloud of gas and dust enveloping the nucleus – and enhancing its luminosity, accompanied by a distinct green glow, attributed to elevated dicarbon levels in its tail and coma.
Astro-enthusiasts witnessed the comet’s rare spectacle in July 2023, marking its first eruption in nearly seven decades, with subsequent eruptions revealing the disappearance of its demonic horns, once formed by an asymmetric coma. Now adorned with a green hue, Comet 12P continues its journey towards Earth, poised to make its closest approach on June 2 before receding into the cosmic expanse for the next seven decades.
The cosmic rendezvous between Comet 12P and the Andromeda Galaxy, situated approximately 2.5 million light-years away, offers a mesmerizing sight for viewers, symbolizing the awe-inspiring vastness of the universe. Thanks to the Virtual Telescope Project, two livestream events from Manciano, Italy, on March 10 and 12, provide a real-time glimpse of this celestial conjunction, showcasing the enthralling encounter between the comet and its distant galactic neighbor.
While Andromeda remains visible to the naked eye, spotting Comet 12P requires the aid of telescopes or binoculars, located approximately 10 degrees below the galaxy. Astounding images captured by the Virtual Telescope Project and astrophotographer Petr Horálek from Slovakia depict the celestial duo in stunning detail, complemented by the presence of the Triangulum galaxy and the star Mirach.
Comet 12P’s cosmic journey extends beyond its encounter with Andromeda, having previously traversed the Crescent Nebula in January and anticipated to grace the skies during the total solar eclipse on April 8. Should the comet erupt prior to the eclipse, it may offer a dazzling display during totality, adding another dimension to this celestial spectacle.
As the ‘devil comet’ 12P/Pons-Brooks graces the night sky alongside the majestic Andromeda Galaxy, the world awaits in eager anticipation, poised to witness this extraordinary cosmic ballet unfold before their eyes.
