Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks orbits the sun every 71 years and is currently making its closest approach. Here's when and how you can see it - perhaps even during a solar eclipse
One of the brightest known comets is heading towards Earth, and it may be visible to the naked eye in the coming weeks. Follow our guide to spot comet 12P/Pons-Brooks for yourself.Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks takes 71 years to orbit the sun, during which time it flies to the outer edges of the solar system and back again. On this occasion, it will reach its perihelion – its closest approach to the sun – on 21 April.
By the end of March, it will move into the constellation Aries. It is predicted to reach magnitude 5, which means it should be visible to the naked eye from places with dark skies, or through binoculars.to identify exactly where the comet will be visible on the date and at the time you hope to see it. In the northern hemisphere, the comet will be near the horizon just after sunset and will set earlier as March goes on.
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