Observing the Rare 'Devil Comet': A Guide to Viewing and Safety Precautions

New Zealand
Best time to observe is just after sunset, west of the moon and right of Jupiter. Use binoculars or a small telescope for optimal viewing.
Classified as a Halley-type comet and expected to continue surviving encounters with the sun.
First discovered in 1812 by Jean-Louis Pons and later identified by William Robert Brooks.
Looking directly at the comet without proper protection can cause eye damage. Use solar filters for telescopes or binoculars.
Makes closest approach to Earth on June 2, about 144 million miles away.
The 'devil comet' 12P/Pons-Brooks is currently passing by Earth and can be observed after sunset.
Observing the Rare 'Devil Comet': A Guide to Viewing and Safety Precautions

The 'devil comet' 12P/Pons-Brooks is currently making its way through the solar system and can be observed as it passes by Earth. This bright and unique celestial body, which comes around every 71 years, has earned its nickname due to an outburst that caused an asymmetrical appearance resembling horns.

First Discovered: A Brief History of the Devil Comet The 'devil comet' was first discovered in 1812 by Jean-Louis Pons and later independently identified by William Robert Brooks in 1883. Since then, it has been a subject of fascination for astronomers and skywatchers alike due to its rare appearance.

How to Observe the Devil Comet: Tips for Viewing The best time to observe the devil comet is just after sunset, as it can be found west of the moon and right of Jupiter. It is recommended that you use binoculars or a small telescope for optimal viewing. The comet will make its closest approach to Earth on June 2, at which point it will be about 144 million miles away.

Safety Precautions: Protecting Your Eyes While Observing the Comet It is important to remember that looking directly at the sun or a bright comet without proper protection can cause serious damage to your eyes. Always make sure you are using appropriate safety measures, such as solar filters for telescopes or binoculars, when observing the devil comet.

The Devil Comet: A Scientific Perspective Comets like 12P/Pons-Brooks are considered to be frozen chunks of dust, rock, and ice that originate from the outer reaches of the solar system. As they approach the sun, they heat up and release gases and particles, creating a glowing head and tail.

The devil comet is classified as a Halley-type comet due to its elliptical orbit around the sun. It has survived previous encounters with the sun and is expected to continue doing so in the future.

Additional Comets: A Look at Other Celestial Bodies Worth Observing Another notable comet, Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), is expected to be visible in the Southern Hemisphere later in the year and could potentially be even brighter than 12P/Pons-Brooks.

In conclusion, observing the devil comet is a unique opportunity for anyone interested in astronomy or simply curious about the wonders of our universe. By following these guidelines and taking appropriate safety measures, you can enjoy this rare celestial event without any risk to your eyes.



Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

97%

  • Unique Points
    • Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will make its closest approach to the sun on April 21, passing at about 72.6 million miles (116.8 million km) from it.
    • The comet orbits the sun approximately every 71 years and has survived previous encounters.
  • Accuracy
    • After perihelion, the comet will fade rapidly and become an object for Southern Hemisphere observers by the end of May.
    • Comets generally blossom into peak brightness within several weeks of perihelion and then gradually subside as they move away from the sun.
    • The comet was last visible in the 1950s and has had several outbursts since then.
    • Pons-Brooks had horns or a Millennium Falcon shape during some outbursts.
    • It is recommended to view the comet just after sunset near Jupiter using binoculars for better observation.
    • Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the ‘Devil Comet,’ is best viewed with binoculars or a small telescope just after sunset, west of the moon and right of Jupiter.
    • Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will make its closest approach to Earth on June 2, about 144 million miles away.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    No formal fallacies found. There are some inflammatory rhetorical statements and appeals to authority. The author uses phrases like 'good news' and 'bad news' when discussing the comet's fate, which is inflammatory. Additionally, there are several appeals to authority from Joe Rao throughout the article.
    • . . . passing at about 72.6 million miles (116.8 million km), equivalent to three-quarters the Earth's distance from the sun.
    • It has apparently suffered no ill effects from previous visits to the sun and there does not appear to be any reason why anything will happen to it during its current apparition.
    • Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the Devil Comet.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

91%

  • Unique Points
    • The comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the ‘devil’ and ‘mother of dragons’, will reach peak visibility soon.
  • Accuracy
    • ]The comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the ‘devil’ and ‘mother of dragons’, will reach peak visibility soon.[
    • Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will make its closest approach to the sun on April 21, passing at about 72.6 million miles (116.8 million km) from it.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

  • Unique Points
    • Comet Pons-Brooks is a green ball of ice that is visible to the public every 71 years.
    • The comet had horns or a Millennium Falcon shape during some outbursts.
  • Accuracy
    • The comet will no longer have its characteristic devil horns by this point.
    • It is best viewed with binoculars or a small telescope just after sunset, west of the moon and right of Jupiter.
    • Comet Pons-Brooks will make its closest approach to Earth on June 2, about 144 million miles away.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

  • Unique Points
    • Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is a cryovolcanic comet that erupts ice, dust, and gas when it gets closer to the Sun.
    • Another comet, Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), is expected to be visible in the Southern Hemisphere later in the year and could be even brighter than 12P/Pons-Brooks.
  • Accuracy
    • Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is visible in the southern sky this week for Australians.
    • , Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will make its closest approach to the sun on April 21, passing at about 72.6 million miles (116.8 million km) from it.
    • The comet orbits the sun approximately every 71 years and has survived previous encounters.
    • Comet Pons-Brooks is a green ball of ice that is visible to the public every 71 years.
    • Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the ‘devil comet’, is one of the brightest known comets that comes around every 71 years.
    • Comet Pons-Brooks is best viewed with binoculars or a small telescope just after sunset, west of the moon and right of Jupiter.
    • Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will make its closest approach to Earth on June 2, about 144 million miles away.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

  • Unique Points
    • Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is one of the brightest known comets that comes around every 71 years.
    • The comet earned its nickname in 2023 due to an outburst causing an asymmetrical appearance.
    • It is best viewed with binoculars or a small telescope just after sunset, west of the moon and right of Jupiter.
    • Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will make its closest approach to Earth on June 2, about 144 million miles away.
  • Accuracy
    • Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will make its closest approach to the sun on April 21, passing at about 72.6 million miles (116.8 million km) from it.
    • The comet is best viewed with binoculars or a small telescope just after sunset, west of the moon and right of Jupiter.
    • Comet Pons-Brooks had horns or a Millennium Falcon shape during some outbursts.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication