He total solar eclipse that will cross the regions of Mexico, Canada and the United States It is the most popular main event this Monday. However, the arrival of “Devil Comet” It steals a bit of prominence by appearing on the same day as the conjunction between our central star and the Moon.
Known scientifically as 12P/Pons-Brooks, the “Devil Comet” can now be seen from all over North America. That includes Mexico and Canada. This asteroid visits us for the first time since 1954 and is a once-in-a-lifetime event for many, as it will not return for another 71 years.
12P/Pons-Brooks is surprisingly large; surpasses Mount Everest three times over. They call him “Devil” because his shape shows horns that refer to the devil.
This comet causes an unprecedented event in space science to occur this Monday: during the total eclipse of the Sun, as the sky is going to darken, the two stellar events will be seen, the “Devil's Comet” and the conjunction between the Moon and the Sun.
Furthermore, this eclipse is not the only astronomical phenomenon that we will be able to see. Comet Diablo is already present in our skies. For the first time in 71 years, comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is getting relatively close to the sun. pic.twitter.com/0j9dGDvqXE
— Mar Gómez (@MarGomezH) April 8, 2024
Does the “Devil Comet” have a probability of colliding with Earth?
It is a rock three times the size of Everest, if it crashes into us there would be devastating results for our race.
Should we worry? Not at all. Although its size scares us a bit, the “Devil Comet” will not impact the Earth. Its trajectory makes it visible from our planet, but there is no probability of impact against the surface of the world.
It is, in fact, a visual spectacle for astronomy enthusiasts and an analysis opportunity for scientists.
The comet was discovered in 1812 by French astronomers Jean-Louis Pons, Alexis Bouvard and Vincent Wisniewsky, so their trajectory has been followed since then.
It has an elliptical orbit around the Sun, in which it takes just over 71 years to orbit the massive star. It will appear in our skies from April 21 and its passage will last until the first days of May. After this we will not see it again until 2095.