Explosive "Devil Comet" could photobommate the solar eclipse - how to see it

Experts say that the perfectly timed visit of 12p / Pons-Brooks could be visible to the naked eye.


Next month, tens of millions of people in North America will be entitled to an extraordinary spectacle when a total solar eclipse will become visible for a large part of the continent. Many make it a duty to get a place where they can have a good view, especially because it is the last time that we will be Visible in the United States until 2044 . But even if it is undoubtedly a special occasion itself, the moon passing in front of the sun will not be the only reason to search on April 8. Read the rest for more than the "devil comet" who could photobommate the solar eclipse and how you can be sure to see it.

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Comet 12P won a nickname due to its unique appearance.

A person stargazing and watching a comet with a long tail in the night sky
Pol Sole / Shutterstock

Whether you are an occasional astronomer or not, you certainly know the comets. Celestial objects are generally manufactured Rock and Ice Left from the solar system formation, by NASA. When they start to warm up as the sun approaches, the comets push a shiny head and long streaming tails - which can put us on a dazzling display here on earth.

But while the comets vary in color, in size and in brightness, a visitor who passes in particular made the headlines recently. Comet 12P / Pons-Brooks won the nickname "Devil Comet" because of the development of what looks like horns on his coma - or the brilliant head - on his approach to the sun last year, reports Live Science.

In this case, the frightening appearance is due to the fact that 12p is an ice volcano comet, spitting an eruption of gas and ice crystals while the sun's radiation makes its nucleus crack. The object of 10.5 miles wide turns the sun once every 71 years, and it presented its first eruption in almost seven decades last summer, according to live science.

The nickname of the object may not stay much longer, because its "horns" have not appeared in any later eruption. But the comet could still be the show for other reasons.

In relation: Here are how much the total solar eclipse you can see in your region .

The last visit of the comet will almost coincide with the total solar eclipse.

A man and woman using binoculars and a telescope to stargaze
M-Gucci / Istock

Although the total solar eclipse can be more than sufficient for most viewers, there could be an unexpected bonus during the event. Indeed, the COMETE 12P still heads towards the center of the solar system and should reach its point closest to the sun on April 21, by live science.

This means that the comet will seem much brighter on April 8, when the eclipse occurs. He will also be inside 25 degrees of the sun , which concerns the width of two and a half fists tight American scientist .

In relation: Which really happens to you if you directly look a solar eclipse .

Some experts expect the comet to be visible to the naked eye.

Silhouette of little boy, girl, and mother watching solar eclipse
Stall

The proximity of the eclipse has photographers who provide that they can take a unique photo. However, some experts believe that the flying comet might seem visible to the naked eye during the big event. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"This is one of the brightest comets in history," Rosita Kokotanekova , a planetary scientist of the Institute of Astronomy and the National Astronomical Observatory of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, said American scientist .

Based on current estimates, the normal appearance of the comet could be barely shiny enough to catch alone or easily identified with a pair of binoculars. But things could change if another eruption takes place in the April 8 perspective.

"He had spectacular explosions," said Kokotanekova. "It is a very unknown territory. This is why we are interested in each comet who does this."

Here's how you could locate "Devil Comet" 12p during the eclipse.

Camera view solar eclipse
Stall

Although the possibility of an experience two for one is attractive, the experts always warn that it is far from being sure that it will be so easy to see both the day.

"I don't want people to be disappointed if they don't see the comet," Kokotanekova said American scientist . "If people expect to see something extremely brilliant on an entirely dark sky, I think that as long as we have a lot of luck with an explosion, it will be more difficult than that."

However, there are still a few things to keep in mind if a last -minute eruption makes the comet 12p more visible. As with any eclipse visualization, it is essential to have certified solar glasses for Protect your eyes During the experience, because regular sunglasses will not be enough, according to live science. Those who use twins or a telescope to improve their sight must also ensure that they use appropriate filters or buy a pair designed for solar visualization.

But even if the comet is not as brilliant as hope, there is always upward potential. Indeed, the eclipse takes place during a solar maximum, which means that the strands of the atmosphere of the sun could be particularly visible during the whole, according to Live Science.


Categories: Smarter Living
Tags: News / Science
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