The “devil’s comet”: what it is and when to see this curious comet erupt

If you are a fan of astronomy, next month you have a date with a “diabolical” comet. The 12P/Pons-Brooks comet has been visible to amateur astronomers during the month of March thanks to a series of eruptions that took place on its surface, before being seen between April 21 and 24.

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The comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the “devil’s comet” thanks to an eruption it had last year that made it look like it had devil horns, only appears in full view once every 71 years. So, for many astronomy enthusiasts, the appearance of the comet this year is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

12P/Pons-Brooks is a comet ciovolcanic or cold volcano that erupts periodically, making it visible on Earth long before it reaches its April perihelion, the moment when its elliptical orbit approaches the Sun. Space.com reports that the comet has had occasional eruptions that skywatchers have been able to capture with their telescopes.

Originally spotted in 1812 by the French astronomer Jean-Lous Pons, the comet returned in 1883 and was documented by the American astronomer William Brooks. At that time, Brooks was unaware that his discovery had already been documented seven decades earlier. The scientific community named the comet Pons-Brooks in honor of both men.

According to NASA, the comet could be visible to the naked eye during next month’s eclipse, but for now, it is best to observe it in the early evening with binoculars or a telescope, in the constellation of Pisces.

If you can’t wait until April to see the Pons-Brooks comet, you can try to catch a glimpse of it now. Until the end of the month, skywatchers will likely need a telescope or binoculars to locate it near the western horizon.

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