Rare 'Mother of Dragons' Comet Graces Northern Skies: A Celestial Spectacle
The European Space Agency encourages night sky observations. Residents of the northern hemisphere, including those in the UK, now have the opportunity to spot the comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as "Mother of Dragons". This event is rare, with the comet coming close to Earth approximately once every 71 years.
30 March 2024 14:09
The European Space Agency has conveyed exciting news for astronomy enthusiasts, both amateur and professional. A remarkable astronomical phenomenon, the comet 12P/Pons-Brooks or "Mother of Dragons", can now be observed in the northern hemisphere.
This comet, with a nucleus diameter of about 30 kilometres, orbits the Sun roughly every 71 years. It is celebrated for its extensive tail and the spectacular explosions of gas and dust it emits. Sometimes, it earns the nickname "devilish" because of the peculiar horns seen in its images, a result of explosions on the comet's surface.
Mother of Dragons over Europe
In its communication, the ESA has favoured the name "Mother of Dragons". This title, inspired by pop culture, references the comet as a likely source of the meteor shower - Kappa Draconids - which occurs annually from late November to mid-December.
The comet's visibility is tied to its distance from the Sun, ranging from barely visible to clearly visible even to the naked eye or through binoculars. The comet will be closest to Earth in June, but its visibility in the northern hemisphere will diminish due to longer daylight hours.
According to the ESA, the optimal period to observe the comet will be at the transition of March and April. It will be visible in the west for several hours after dusk.
The story of two astronomers
The comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is named after two astronomers who played key roles in its discovery: the French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons (1761–1831) and the British-American astronomer William R. Brooks (1844–1921).
Pons first observed the comet in 1812 and estimated its orbital period to be between 65 and 75 years. Brooks later confirmed Pons’s calculations during the comet's subsequent approach to Earth.
ESA experts note that comets are not just sources of aesthetic delight for space fans. These ancient objects, formed nearly 5 billion years ago with the Solar System, can offer significant insights into its history.
Due to gravitational pulls, comets frequently move from the outskirts of the Solar System to the inner planets, making their orbits particularly fascinating. This is why the ESA launches probes towards comets.
In 1986, the Giotto probe closely approached Halley's comet. In 2014, the Rosetta probe entered orbit around the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, marking the first time a probe followed a comet around the Sun and even deployed a lander onto it.
This year, the launch of the Hera mission is scheduled. This probe, along with its accompanying small satellites, will closely study the impacts on the comet Dimorphos, a project initiated in 2022 as part of NASA's DART mission.
A mission to the asteroid Apophis, which will pass extremely close to Earth in 2029, is also being considered. Additionally, the launch of the Comet Interceptor probe is planned for the same year. This probe aims to closely approach a comet making its first visit to the Solar System.
The ESA also underlines the pivotal role of the Solar Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), an observatory dedicated to monitoring the Sun. Comets that approach the star have frequently been observed by this facility.
Through the study of these fascinating celestial bodies, we aim to learn more about them, thereby uncovering the history of the Solar System itself.
