Massive Devil Comet That Recently Exploded Poses No Threat to Planet Earth, Researcher Claims

The massive "Devil Comet" that recently exploded is very huge, and it's reportedly hurtling toward our planet, alarming some. However, according to an expert, it poses no threat to us.

Devil Comet Hurtling Toward Earth Not a Threat

The comet called 12P/Pons-Brooks reportedly made its last appearance in the skies of the Earth 70 years ago. The comet made headlines due to its massive size, which was reportedly about twice the size of Mount Everest, with cloud horns giving it a menacing impression. Since it was bigger than typical comets, it earned the moniker the "Devil Comet."

On Oct. 5, astronomers reportedly picked up a massive outburst from the comet. It reportedly went bright a dozen times before it exploded. Days later, it developed odd horns, which were reportedly formed by tails of gas and dust released following the outburst.

Teddy Kareta, a postdoctoral researcher at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, said comets are usually between 0.6 and 1.8 miles wide. The Devil Comet was big and rare. However, despite that, it reportedly doesn't threaten us.

He noted that it will most likely be seen during the spring of the following year, but not because it's so close and is putting us in another extinction-level event. Kareta pointed out that the comet will still be farther from Earth than the sun even at its closest point, which is at a distance of around 1.5 astronomical units.

"It might be bright enough that you can see with your naked eye or with binoculars, but that's not because it's going to be super close," Kareta said. "It's because it's just generally very bright."

Why Did The Devil Comet Explode?

Kareta defined an "outburst" as "where comets suddenly get much more active," ejecting massive amounts of gas and dust quickly. According to him, the comet brightens quite quickly when this occurs before returning to its previous brilliance. Furthermore, these are extremely bright and massive explosions in Pons-Brooks, making them attractive to scientists.

The number and location of these outbursts have made them very intriguing. According to one idea, comets contain types of ice that explode violently when initially heated by the sun. However, explosions closer to the sun only happen occasionally.

Kareta predicted that the explosion could happen twice in five years. However, in Pons-Brooks comet's case, the outbursts happen rather frequently and, perplexingly, distant from the sun. It raises the question of where the energy coming from that fuels these types of enormous outbursts and the fact that it can do so many, so often, given that it is now farther away than Mars, where "it's just not that warm."

The Devil Comet is expected to reach its maximum brightness in mid-April 2024 as it continues its 71.2-year orbit of the sun. Professional and amateur astronomers alike anticipate it. Kareta acknowledged the excitement, noting that many are thrilled about it.

Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times.