2024-04-20 23:20:12
From Tuesday until the end of this month, residents of Mexico will have the opportunity to spot comet “Diablo” with binoculars, as long as they have a dark, clear sky.
This was reported by René Ortega Minakata, academic technician at the Institute of Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics (IRyA) of UNAM, Morelia campus.
Comet “Diablo”, a nickname given due to its latest ejection of material that coincided with Halloween last year, is a periodic object currently located in the inner Solar System, relatively close to Earth.
Although its brightness is not particularly prominent, it is possible to view it in detail using appropriate astronomical equipment.
This comet, officially known as 12P/Pons-Brooks In honor of the astronomers who first observed it in the 19th and 20th centuries, it returns to the Solar System every 71 years.
Its relatively short orbital period has facilitated its sighting throughout different periods, being observed even in the 14th and 15th centuries.
How to observe Comet Diablo?
To observe comet “Diablo”, it is recommended to look for a place with a good horizon to the west, without obstructions such as trees or buildings, at dusk.
The use of binoculars is necessary due to the comet’s proximity to the Sun and twilight. To the naked eye, it will look like a small spot in the sky.
Comet “Diablo” has a diameter of approximately 34 kilometers and is composed of rock, dust and ice.
As it approaches the Sun, the ice in its core sublimates, forming a gas coma around it. This phenomenon is responsible for the “little spot” observed in the sky.
The passage of this comet provides an excellent opportunity to better understand the functioning of the Solar System and the nature of comets.
Its observation allows us to appreciate how the volatile elements of comets sublimate as they approach the Sun, forming gas clouds around their nuclei.
This astronomical experience, although subtle to the naked eye, offers a unique window to explore the mysteries of the cosmos and admire the fleeting beauty of the celestial bodies that populate our universe.
2024-04-20 23:20:12