Comet Pons-Brooks will come closest to the Sun on April 21

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 15-04-2024

Comet Pons-Brooks will come closest to the Sun on April 21

Space 4 min read

Comet Pons-Brooks, a comet in space in April 2024, remains the center of special attraction these days. Comet Pons-Brooks is expected to reach closest to the Sun on April 21, 2024.

Currently, Comet Pons-Brooks can be seen hovering around the planet Jupiter.

Like planets, comets also revolve around the Sun:

Dr. Shashi Bhushan Pandey, senior astronomer of Aryabhatta Observational Science Research Institute (ARIES) said that like planets, comets also revolve around the Sun. Comets return to their destination while orbiting.

Its brightness increases as it approaches the Sun:

As Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is getting closer to the Sun, its brightness is also increasing. It will be at its closest point to the Sun on April 21, 2024. At present, its tail has also started getting longer, the length of which is also in lakhs of kilometers.

Comet Pons-Brooks will be visible even with the naked eye:

Apart from scientists from all over the world who are doing research on comets, astro photographers are also keeping an eye on it. This green coloured comet looks very attractive. It can be easily seen through binoculars. Although it is clearly visible to the naked eye.
During the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, there was a competition to see it even during the day. Due to which people from many countries of the world had reached North America.

Characteristics of Comet Ponce-Brooks:

The special thing about Comet Pons-Brooks is that it takes 71 years to revolve around the Sun.
That means we are watching it closely after 71 years.
It will become difficult to see as it gets closer to the Sun because then it will be engulfed in the dazzling light of the sun.
According to Dr. Shashi Bhushan Pandey, senior astronomer of ARIES, Pons-Brooks will be visible in the western direction after sunset.
Presently it is visible around the planet Jupiter.
It is closer to Jupiter relative to the Sun. These days it is at a distance of about 155 million km from the Earth. Whereas after April 21, it will be very difficult to see it.

Ponce-Brooks will be brightest on April 21:

'Perihelion Passage' – starting on 21 April. 12P/Pons–Brookes refers to the point closest to the Sun when it will be brightest.
It will then approach Earth by about 232 million kilometers by June 2, when it will be visible from many parts of the world, but it will be fainter.