'Mother of Dragons' comet visible in the Northern Hemisphere

Dragon

Dragon: Senior Administrator; Posts : 10664
Points : 31590
Times User Thanked: : 1255
Join date : 2018-01-18

Post n°1

'Mother of Dragons' comet visible in the Northern Hemisphere

Post by Dragon Sat Apr 06, 2024 3:28 am

A rare, formerly-horned comet that astronomers have dubbed the "Mother of Dragons" is now visible after dusk in the Northern Hemisphere.

This "Halley-type" comet, officially known as Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, completes a single orbit around the sun once every 71 years.

The last time it passed by Earth was in 1954, according to a statement from the European Space Agency (ESA).

The city-size comet has a nucleus measuring 10.5 miles (17 kilometers) wide and orbits the sun in an elliptical shape.

Recent observations of the comet have revealed a hidden spiral of light surrounding its frigid heart.

Source

_________________
'Mother of Dragons' comet visible in the Northern Hemisphere 334pu7m

Dragon

Dragon: Senior Administrator; Posts : 10664
Points : 31590
Times User Thanked: : 1255
Join date : 2018-01-18

Post n°2

Re: 'Mother of Dragons' comet visible in the Northern Hemisphere

Post by Dragon Sat Apr 06, 2024 3:34 am

'Mother of Dragons' comet visible in the Northern Hemisphere Z7AN3CJEixv8usHzRJCVJC-650-80.jpg

(Image credit: European Space Agency)

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks as seen in March.

It's currently visible in the night sky for observers in the northern hemisphere.

However, what makes this celestial object stand out is that it's a cryvolcanic, or cold volcano comet, meaning that it regularly erupts, spewing the contents of its icy core into space, making the comet look brighter than normal.

Last July, scientists spotted the comet erupting for the first time in 69 years, and at the time, it sprouted horns that earned it the nickname "devil comet."

Source

_________________
'Mother of Dragons' comet visible in the Northern Hemisphere 334pu7m