The green cryovolcanic comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is expected to pass by Earth later this year.
Stunning new images reveal the “demonic comet” expanding in front of a deep red nebula as it hurtles towards our planet. This green comet, which is overdue for another eruption, will make its closest approach to Earth later this year.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as “the demonic comet,” will pass by Earth later this year (Photo: Michael Jäger)
The icy object, known as Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks (12P), is a cold cryovolcanic body, measuring approximately 17 kilometers in diameter and orbiting the Sun every 71 years. It develops cracks in its hard crust, causing its icy interior to eject into space, making it appear significantly brighter for a short period.
In July 2023, astronomers detected the first significant eruption from 12P in over 69 years, followed by several similar eruptions. However, the most recent eruption in November did not produce the iconic jets, indicating that the comet may have lost a feature that allowed us to see these jets. 12P is expected to orbit the Sun in April before approaching Earth.
On January 12, several skywatchers captured images of 12P passing in front of the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888) – a massive cloud of ionized gas located 5,000 light-years from Earth.
Astronomer Michael Jäger captured one of the clearest images of the two celestial bodies together from Martinsberg, Austria, while Rok Palčič from the Rezman Observatory in Slovenia also took a wonderful photograph.
The similar green hue was also produced by the green comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), which passed by Earth in February 2023; and the Nishimura comet (C/2023 P1), which orbited the Sun last September.
12P has not erupted since November 14, 2023. The current inactivity of 12P has puzzled scientists, especially as eruptions were expected to become more frequent and intense as the comet approaches the Sun and absorbs more solar radiation.
The comet is expected to continue its intense eruptions as it nears Earth, providing researchers with an excellent opportunity to study this poorly understood phenomenon in greater detail.
