A bright comet, affectionately dubbed the “Mother of Dragons,” can now be seen from the northern hemisphere. Amateur stargazers and seasoned astronomers are excited to watch this comet.
The Cryovolcanic comet, scientifically known as Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, orbits the Sun in 71 years.
The comet is named Mother of Dragons because of its horns. It is also known as the Devil Comet because of its horns. It is associated culturally with the Kappa-Draconid meteor shower.
Its nucleus consists of ice, dust, and rocky material, As its comes closer to the Sun, its icy core undergoes a wondrous transformation.
Solid ice transforms into gas that forms a magnificent cloud of particles emanating from the comet’s surface.
Its cryovolcanoes spew water, ammonia, or methane instead of molten rock. These icy eruptions occur when internal heat builds up and causes volatile materials within the comet to vaporise and burst forth dramatically.
Scientists study cryovolcanic activity to explore the mysteries involving the past of our solar system. They highlight the significance of studying cryovolcanic comets, sayng that the study offers insights into the composition and internal structure of these icy bodies.
The visibility of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will be at its peak in late March and early April in the post-dusk hours. However, the comet’s closest approach to Earth in June 2024 will mark the end of its visibility in the northern hemisphere. The comet is located above the western horizon. Its visibility is subject to its activity level and proximity to Earth.
The comet’s name pays tribute to two legendary astronomers, Jean-Louis Pons and William R. Brooks, who made significant contributions to comet discovery. Pons, a French astronomer, discovered an impressive 37 comets between 1801 and 1827. Meantime, Brooks, an Anglo-American astronomer, confirmed Pons’ observations of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks 71 years later.
