Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, nicknamed the 'Mother of Dragons,' is currently visible in the skies of the Northern Hemisphere, offering stargazers an opportunity to witness its celestial journey.
This comet, classified as a 'Halley-type' comet, completes its orbit roughly every 71 years, boasting a nucleus spanning approximately 30 kilometres in diameter.
Being a Jupiter-family comet, Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is subject to the gravitational forces of Jupiter, shaping its orbit and periodic appearances.
While also known as the devil comet, astronomers drew inspiration from the popular TV show "Game of Thrones," naming it the 'Mother of Dragons' due to its association with the "kappa-Draconids" meteor shower.
Composed of ice, dust, and rocky material, the comet's approach towards the Sun causes the ice to sublimate into gas, creating a luminous cloud and tail that trails behind it.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks exhibits fluctuating brightness, with peak visibility occurring during close approaches to Earth. The best viewing opportunities for observers in the Northern Hemisphere lie in late March and early April.
While the comet may be visible to the naked eye or with binoculars, a small telescope can enhance visibility, especially during periods of unpredictable brightness.
The periodic nature of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks allows astronomers to predict its appearances and study its behaviour, offering valuable insights into comet dynamics and the evolution of the solar system.