12P/Pons-Brooks：如何和何时观测“魔鬼彗星”

12P/Pons-Brooks, a Halley-type comet, is making its first visit to the inner solar system in over 70 years and is set to be at its brightest on April 21. While it may be visible to the naked eye for those in the northern hemisphere between now and mid-April, it is not expected to be dazzlingly bright, and binoculars are recommended for optimal viewing. Dr. Robert Massey from the Royal Astronomical Society suggests using sky-tracking apps or finder charts to locate the comet, which is likely to appear as a small, grayish fuzz. Its orbit lasts 71.3 years, meaning it won't be visible again until 2095.

The comet, with an estimated nucleus diameter of 34km, was discovered in 1812 by French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons and observed by British-American astronomer William Robert Brooks in 1883. Leading up to its approach, the comet has garnered attention due to its curious green color caused by a molecule called dicarbon, as well as its occasional "horned appearance," earning it the nickname "Devil Comet." This horned appearance is attributed to its classification as a cryovolcanic comet, which regularly erupts with dust, gases, and ice due to internal pressure when heated.