Oregon could see rare ‘devil comet’ in April
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregonians have a chance to see a comet larger than Mt. Everest in late March and April as the rare “devil comet” makes its way across several constellations.
The 12P/Pons-Brooks comet, also known as the “devil comet,” is a short period comet that orbits the sun every 71 years.
The comet’s 2024 appearance also presents a unique chance to view the comet during the solar eclipse on April 8.
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The Pons-Brooks comet — which was discovered by Jean-Louis Pons in 1812 and rediscovered by William Robert Brooks in 1883 — is a cryovolcanic comet, or as OMSI’s Director of Space Science Education Jim Todd describes it as, “an ice volcano flying through space.”
The ice volcano erupts at times, creating a horseshoe shape with bright wings or points, leading astronomers to nickname the comet, “devil comet” or “Millennium Falcon” for its resemblance to the Star Wars ship.
The comet is visible as of late March in the Andromeda, Pisces, then Aries constellations.
According to Todd, the April 8 eclipse — which has a path of totality stretching from Maine to Mexico — could diminish the brightness of the comet but says it will shine at its brightest on April 21 when the comet reaches its perihelion, its closest point to the sun.
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During the full moon on April 23, the comet will be low in the sky when the sun sets and may be visible at a location with a clear horizon and could be seen with the naked eye.
According to Todd, even though Oregon is one of the best places to stargaze in the United States (along with Texas), Oregonians will have a better chance at seeing the comet further away from light-polluted cities and recommends locations with a clear view of the western horizon or the Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Oregonians can also catch the astronomical event at the International Dark Sky Weekend at Prineville Reservoir on April 5, or the Stub Stewart viewing party on April 6.
OMSI and the Rose City Astronomers do not have plans for viewing parties.
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“It’s a good idea to get away from the city and the light pollution to enhance your viewing, and more importantly, having good weather [and] clear skies. The last few nights have been visible and [there has] been a lot of reports of visibility of the comet,” Todd told KOIN 6 News on Wednesday.
He also recommends using binoculars to view the comet in full effect, however, he warns against pointing binoculars at the sun during an eclipse, as it can cause severe damage or permanent blindness when the sun reappears.
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