Scientists show a new image of the “Devil’s Comet”, which will soon fly near the Earth
Scientists have published a new photo of the “Devil’s Comet” approaching the Earth. A hidden spiral of light was spotted around its core
This was reported by Livesciense.
The “Devil’s Comet” is due to pass by the Earth later this year.
“The comet, called 12P/Pons-Brooks (Devil’s Comet – ed.), is a 17 km wide ball of ice and rocks that orbits the Sun in a highly elliptical or extended orbit about every 71 years and is now approaching our home star,” the statement said.
It is also noted that, like most other comets, the Devil’s Comet has a nucleus of ice, gas, and dust surrounded by a frozen shell. The “heart” of 12P, in turn, is surrounded by a cloud of icy dust that slowly flows out from the middle of the comet.
What distinguishes it from other comets is that it is cryovolcanic, meaning that it often erupts when sunlight opens large cracks in its nucleus. This makes the comet “spray its icy insides” under high pressure. When this happens, the shell of the kernel expands significantly, which temporarily makes it much brighter than usual.
On October 23, 2023, it was reported that Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, known as the “Devil’s Comet,” was approaching Earth. The researcher says that the comet is large and unusual, but its threatening name does not mean that it poses a threat to our planet.
