Skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere are in for a treat tonight as the rare “Mother of Dragons” comet, officially known as Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, streaks across the night sky. This city-sized comet, nicknamed for its emerald glow, last visited Earth in 1954 and won’t return for another 71 years.
If you look up tonight, you might catch something truly amazing! There’s a special visitor in the sky – a green comet nicknamed the ‘Mother of Dragons’ – and it’s making its grand appearance after 71 years. The last time it passed by Earth was in 1954, according to a statement from the European Space Agency (ESA).
Like most comets, 12P/Pons-Brooks is composed of ice, dust and rock and its head also has a green appearance. This is due to comets containing diatomic carbon molecules — duos of carbon atoms stuck together — that emit emerald light when exposed to the sun. The city-size comet has a nucleus measuring 10.5 miles (17 kilometers) wide and orbits the sun in an elliptical shape. Recent observations of the comet have revealed a hidden spiral of light surrounding its frigid heart.
Why ‘Mother of Dragons’? It’s not because it breathes fire, but because it looks majestic and green, like something out of a fairy tale. Scientists think it could even be the parent of a meteor shower called the kappa-Draconids. Last July, scientists spotted the comet erupting for the first time in 69 years, and at the time, it sprouted horns that earned it the nickname “devil comet.”
Get Your Binoculars Now!
Tonight is your chance to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event, so don’t miss it! Look towards the west-northwest after twilight, and if you’re lucky, you might spot this celestial beauty. But don’t worry if you can’t see it with just your eyes. Grab a pair of binoculars or a small telescope for a better view.
Sadly, this comet won’t stick around forever. By the end of April, it’ll be getting closer to the sun and Earth, but then it’ll disappear from our view until 2095. So, seize the opportunity while you can!
This is a rare opportunity to witness a magnificent cosmic spectacle. So, if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere with clear skies tonight, don’t miss your chance to gaze upon the “Mother of Dragons”!