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ST. GEORGE — Stargazers with their heads turned to watch April's solar eclipse could be treated to a rare celestial sighting: Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, which hasn't been seen from Earth in over 70 years.
Approximately the size of Mount Everest, Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks was nicknamed the "devil comet" for its unusual horned features and peculiar green color.
Astronomers say the comet was likely to reach a magnitude 5 brightness at the end of March, bringing it into visibility by the naked eye. While the comet will move into daylight hours on Tuesday, April 2, those in the Northern Hemisphere using a telescope or pair of binoculars could catch sight of the "devil comet" near the western horizon at dusk.
The comet will make its closest pass by Earth in the days leading up to the solar eclipse on April 8, when it will reportedly be about 25 degrees away from the eclipsed sun. During mid-eclipse, those using binoculars or a telescope have the potential to see the comet, according to an article posted on astronomy.com. Jupiter can serve as a guide for finding the comet, which will reportedly lie about 6 degrees west of the gas giant.
