How Australians can view the rare 'Devil Comet' before it disappears for 70 years

21 Apr 2024

SBS Australia

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How Australians can view the rare Devil Comet before it disappears for 70
years

The 'Devil Comet' orbits every 71 years — and it's about to reach peak brightness. Here's when and how you can see it in Australia.

From this weekend, stargazers will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the 'Devil Comet' — a rare celestial event.

As the comet approaches the sun, it is gradually becoming more visible, and is set to be visible for several weeks — if you know where to look.

Here's what you need to know.

What is the Devil Comet, and how did it get its name?

The so-called Devil Comet is a periodic comet named 12P/Pons-Brooks, which orbits every 71 years.

Jonti Horner, professor of astrophysics at the University of Southern Queensland, said the comet was given its nickname due to unusual behaviour in 2023.

"It threw off something like 10 million tonnes of ice and rock and dust and debris all in one go, so that

meant that you had this single burst of gas and dust around the comet temporarily," he said.

"It gave the comet in the sky this very unusual shape ... to many people, it made it look like the comet had horns, and a couple of articles talked about it being a devil comet because it looked a bit demonic."

When will the Devil Comet be visible in Australia?

Brad Tucker, an astrophysicist and cosmologist from the Australian National University, said the comet will be at its perihelion — its closest point to the sun — on 22 April in Australia.

"When it is closest to the sun, this is when the most heat is on the comet, and the ice turns to a gas, which is what we see glow around the comet," Tucker said.

The comet will be relatively low in the sky at this point, and the moon will be bright, which Tucker says means this will not be the best viewing time.

"From ANZAC Day (25 April), the comet will be higher in the sky, and also the moon won't interfere, so that is your best chance to see it."

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks known as the Devil Comet is seen over the horizon in Spain

The so-called Devil Comet is a periodic comet named 12P/Pons-Brooks, which orbits every 71 years. Source: Getty / Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket

Horner said the comet will be visible early in the evening, shortly after sunset.

"It's visible in the early evening after the sunset at the minute, by 6.30 in the evening. It's only about five degrees above the horizon, and it's setting by 7pm and then it's gone."

"It is going to gradually, over the coming weeks, get a little bit higher in the sky every evening ... so therefore will get a little bit more visible."

How can I view the Devil Comet?

While the comet may be visible to the naked eye, it is best viewed through binoculars or a telescope.

Horner said the comet would also be a good photography opportunity for those with a high-quality camera.

"Whilst it is visible with the naked eye, it's not spectacular with the naked eye; it's like a glowy blob down near the horizon," he said.

"I think for this one, it's actually going to be better as a photography target than it is for something to look at with your eyes. So a camera can pick up a lot more than your eyes now."

Vanessa Moss, an astronomer at CSIRO, said while it is not yet clear how bright the comet will be, it would be worth trying to catch a glimpse.

"Any celestial event, whether it is a comet passing through the night sky or a transient meteor shower or perhaps an eclipse, is a great chance to look up at the sky and remind ourselves about our place in the universe," she said.

"Those hoping to catch a glimpse should look (or point binoculars) in the direction of the western horizon just after sunset throughout the rest of April, and search for a fuzzy blob near Jupiter."