A comet nicknamed the “Devil Comet” for its horned eruptions is currently approaching Earth, and astronomers are intrigued by its predictable and regular outbursts. The comet, officially known as 12P/Pons-Brooks, exhibits cryovolcanic activity, a phenomenon where gas and ice erupt periodically, resembling volcanic-like explosions.
The comet follows a specific 15-day cadence for its eruptions, with the latest blast occurring on December 14. The next eruption is expected around December 29–30. This regular pattern is associated with the comet’s rotation, triggering eruptions when its sun-facing side aligns with solar heat due to its two-week rotation.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, measuring 18.6 miles in diameter, releases a mix of gases and ice during its eruptions. The buildup of pressure in its nucleus, caused by heating as it approaches the sun, leads to explosive eruptions of nitrogen and carbon monoxide. These eruptions create distinctive visual patterns, such as the “devil horns,” when observed through a telescope.
Astronomers, including Nick James of the British Astronomical Association, have likened the comet to a celestial version of the ‘Old Faithful’ geyser, with eruptions triggered by the sunrise at its specific location.
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