O comet 12P/Pons-Brooks known as “Devil’s Comet” appears in the sky over Brazil throughout the month of April, but it should be easier to observe next week.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks reaches perihelion (the moment of greatest proximity to the Sun) on the 21st and should reach its maximum brightness on April 23rd, when it will be most visible. Even so, the use of binoculars is recommended if you want to see the celestial body, as there is no guarantee that it will be visible to the naked eye.
The comet's nickname refers to its horn shape, the result of pressure from the Sun's radiation that formed a kind of “crooked” tail of gas and dust.
Appearances of the Devil's Comet are often bright due to explosions of gas and dust being released from beneath its surface.
How to observe the Devil's Comet?
Tips for seeing the comet
As recommended for any observation in the night sky, there are more chances of being able to see the comet in a dark place with few artificial lights.
Another important point in the case of the Devil's Comet is also finding a location in which the horizon is clear towards the west as the celestial body will appear very low in the sky.
And although there is an expectation that the celestial body will be visible to the naked eye, the use of binoculars or telescope It is also recommended for those who don't want to miss out on the experience.
Where and when?
To try to spot the Devil's Comet, observers must look in the heading west, close to the horizon, shortly after sunset at which time the comet should be more visible.
In April, the Devil's Comet will be below the constellation of Taurus and, in May, below the constellation of Orion.
The time at which the celestial body will become visible varies depending on the region of Brazil due to the difference in the time at which the Sun sets.
In the North region, the comet should remain visible until around 7:50 pm in Acre, because the state is located in the extreme east of the country. On the Northeast coast, in the extreme west of the country, the comet should be visible between 5:45 pm and 6:20 pm.
As they are closer to the Equator, the North and Northeast will have the chance to observe the celestial body at a better height than the rest of Brazil, as the comet should appear very close to the horizon.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
Source: CNN Brasil
Charles Grill is a tech-savvy writer with over 3 years of experience in the field. He writes on a variety of technology-related topics and has a strong focus on the latest advancements in the industry. He is connected with several online news websites and is currently contributing to a technology-focused platform.
