Astronomers have recorded the appearance of horn-like structures on cryovolcanic comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, which will make its closest approach to Earth in 2024. This was reported by portal space weather
Comet Pons-Brooks has a solid core approximately 30 kilometers in diameter, composed of cryomagma, a mixture of ice, dust and gas. The central part of the comet is surrounded by a cloud of gas called the coma. When solar radiation heats the interior of the comet, a powerful explosion occurs and material is released through cracks in the shell of the nucleus.
According to the British Astronomical Association (BAA), Comet Pons-Brookes experienced a powerful flare on October 5, after which the celestial body became tens of times brighter due to light reflected from the expanding coma.
Astronomers think the comet’s unusual shape is due to the irregular shape of its nucleus. As 12P continues to move towards the Sun, there’s a good chance scientists will detect several more large explosions.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will reach its closest point to Earth and be visible to the naked eye on April 21, 2024, before returning to the outer Solar System. The next approach to Earth will not occur until 2095.
He was previously an astrophotographer from Novosibirsk filmed Video of the flyby of Comet Nishimura.