A giant comet known as 12P/Pons Brooks, three times the size of Everest, experienced a new explosive phenomenon on its way to Earth. Approximately 29 miles in diameter, this “cold volcanic” comet is famous for its violent spewing of ice and gas. This activity forms marks that resemble devil horns, creating a fascinating sight in space.
Discovered in 1812, 12P/Ponsbrooks is on an orbit that will bring it closest to Earth in June 2024. Despite its proximity, it poses no threat to Earth. During this close approach, it will be visible to the naked eye as a faint star-like object with a distinct tail.
Volcanic behavior
Comets like 12P/Ponsbrooks consist of an icy core surrounded by a coma, a cloud of gas and dust. Its classification as a cryovolcanic comet indicates that it exhibits volcanic behavior.
However, instead of spewing out molten rock, it releases gas and ice, especially when it gets close to the Sun. As the comet approaches the Sun, the increase in temperature and pressure releases bursts of nitrogen and carbon monoxide, pushing ice fragments from its core.
recent outbursts
Arizona-based amateur astronomer Elliot Harman observed a dramatic brightening of the comet on October 31, indicating a new burst of cryovolcanic activity. This recent explosion was the second in a month and the third since July, further reinforcing its reputation as the “Devil’s Comet.” The appearance of a comet with demonic horns was widely reported in the media.
journey around the sun
12P/Pons Brooks orbits the sun, drawn by the sun’s gravity, and takes 71 years to complete the journey. This period is relatively short compared to most comets, which can take thousands of years to complete one orbit around the sun. Comets like Comet 12P/Ponsbrooks have highly elliptical orbits, moving closer to the Sun at perihelion and farther away from the Sun at aphelion. As it approaches the Sun, its speed increases significantly.
The comet is currently hurtling toward the sun at more than 40,000 miles per hour. This speed is expected to increase to more than 100,000 miles per hour as it approaches perihelion. Its closest approach to the sun will occur on April 21 next year, followed by its closest approach to Earth on June 2. After this encounter, the comet will be propelled toward the outer solar system, not returning until 2095.
Polar volcano comet
Cryovolcanism is a type of volcanic activity that occurs at extremely low temperatures on icy moons and other celestial bodies. Unlike typical lava volcanism found on Earth, cryovolcanism involves eruptions of volatile substances such as water, ammonia, and methane. These compounds are typically in a frozen solid state at the low temperatures found on these objects.
Cryovolcanic comets in particular are comets that exhibit such activity. When a comet approaches the Sun, the increase in temperature causes ice components to sublimate (change from solid to gas), which can cause geysers and eruptions of gas and dust from the comet’s surface. This activity is reminiscent of a volcanic eruption.
The ejected material forms a coma (temporary atmosphere) and sometimes a tail. This is a characteristic of comets. Cryovolcanism is one of the processes that forms the surfaces of comets. This is an important phenomenon that causes missions such as: NASA’s Deep Impact ESA’s Rosetta has been conducting research to understand the composition and behavior of these objects.
Learn more about comets
Comets are celestial wanderers that capture the imagination with their breathtaking tails and ancient origins. They are made up of ice, rocks, and space dust that are remnants of the formation of our solar system more than 4.6 billion years ago. As they orbit the Sun, these “dirty snowballs” melt and release gas and dust, forming a distinctive glowing coma and tail.
comet structure
Comets have a core at their center, and the solid core is usually less than 30 kilometers in diameter. When a comet is near the Sun, it becomes surrounded by a diffuse cloud of gas and dust called a coma. A spinning top can be larger than a planet. The tail can extend for millions of kilometers and is always pointed away from the Sun due to the force of the solar wind and radiation pressure.
orbit of a comet
Comets’ orbits are highly elliptical, often bringing them very close to the Sun, a point called perihelion, and then hurling them deep into space to aphelion. There are two types of comets based on their orbital periods. Short-period comets, like Halley’s Comet, take less than 200 years to orbit the Sun, while long-period comets can take much longer, sometimes thousands of years.
comet and earth
Comets have had a significant impact on Earth in various ways. Historically, their appearance in the sky has been recorded and considered to be omens. Scientifically, it is hypothesized that comets brought water and organic compounds to Earth, contributing to the emergence of life.
famous comet
Throughout history, certain comets have stood out. Halley’s Comet, which can be predicted to return every 76 years, is perhaps the most famous. Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 became famous for its spectacular collision with Jupiter in 1994, giving astronomers a front-row seat to its cosmic impact.
observation of comets
Comets are a treat for amateur astronomers. When a comet is predicted to approach Earth, it is often visible to the naked eye. Otherwise, binoculars or a small telescope may reveal the comet’s central core and gaseous coma.
The future of comet exploration
Space agencies have sent several missions to comets in the past, including ESA’s Rosetta, which orbited comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and deployed a lander to its surface. Future missions aim to learn more about the composition of comets and what they can tell us about the early Solar System.
In summary, comets are more than just celestial beauties. They are time capsules filled with clues to the history of our solar system. Continued research may reveal more secrets about the origins of Earth, other planets, and even life itself.
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