A rare celestial event is set to captivate sky-watchers as the 'devil comet,' officially known as comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, makes its first appearance over Earth since 1954. This cryovolcanic comet, characterized by its formation of two 'horns' made up of ice and gas and periodic explosions, orbits the sun every 71 years. The comet's return coincides with a solar eclipse on April 8, offering a unique spectacle. NASA has highlighted this event as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe the comet during the eclipse. Additionally, astronomers anticipate the emergence of a 'new star' in the night sky anytime between now and September, promising another spectacular celestial sight. In the midst of these events, NASA's Parker Solar Probe, launched in 2018, is undertaking a daring mission to 'touch the sun,' aiming to swoop within 3.8 million miles of the sun's surface at speeds exceeding 430,000 miles per hour on Christmas Eve, marking it as the closest approach by any spacecraft at such incredible speeds. Nicola "Nicky" Fox, NASA's lead science official, described the mission as "the coolest, hottest mission under the sun." On April 21, the comet will reach the point in its orbit when it will be closest to the sun.
In the path of the April 8 total solar #eclipse? Don’t miss our next episode of “NASA Science Live” at 3pm ET (1900 UTC) where we’ll share viewing tips and how you can contribute to @NASASun research using your smartphone: https://t.co/kiRidGy0w0 Have questions? Use #AskNASA. https://t.co/4DZ7nAyM3G
Astronomers are expecting a “new star” to appear in the night sky anytime between now and September, and it promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime celestial sight, according to NASA. https://t.co/pwdhvf7BId
"It is a voyage into the unknown," said NASA's lead science official, Nicola "Nicky" Fox, who champions the initiative as "the coolest, hottest mission under the sun," The Washington Post reported. https://t.co/AOaFH5lxfw
On Christmas Eve, it's scheduled to make its boldest move yet—swooping within 3.8 million miles of the sun's scorching surface and traveling in excess of 430,000 miles per hour. To put it simply, no craft has approached this close at such incredible speeds.…
Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe is pushing boundaries like no spacecraft before it. https://t.co/AOaFH5lxfw
Amid these fiery displays, a daring NASA mission takes a gamble, aiming to graze the sun's surface and uncover its secrets. https://t.co/AOaFH5lxfw
On April 21, the comet will reach the point in its orbit when it will be closest to the sun. https://t.co/ER9HIbhMpc
#NASA is asking for volunteers to take part in research during April's total #solareclipse that will help it learn more about our #sun. https://t.co/HochtqQ0Lt
Explosive star event will create once-in-a-lifetime sight in the sky. Here's how to see it | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/PO7umXm8fk
Astonishing: The James Webb Space Telescope captures the rare moment just before a star's death in pin-sharp detail. (Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team) https://t.co/ILLY1W6MiG
Stellar explosion will create a 'new star' in the night sky https://t.co/vGEstELAeJ
Supernova Remnant Cassiopeia A Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; D. Milisavljevic (Purdue University), T. Temim (Princeton University), I. De Looze (University of Gent) Massive stars in our Milky Way Galaxy live spectacular lives. Collapsing from vast cosmic clouds, their… https://t.co/n2r7ujaP8r
Be still, galactic heart 🧡 This #HubbleClassic takes a close-up look at the center of the galaxy Centaurus A. Located 10 million light-years away, this galaxy is home to a firestorm of star birth, seen in clusters along the dust disk around Centaurus A: https://t.co/DJzq9yHjBV https://t.co/5KC7k2FhqR
As Earth prepares for eclipse, a NASA probe is ready to ‘touch the sun’ https://t.co/drh0pxV6u9 https://t.co/5azHurQ1o7
In the midst of an especially active year for our closest star, the sun stands front and center in cosmic theatrics with intense eruptions and spectacular celestial events. Amid these fiery displays, a daring NASA mission takes a gamble, aiming to... https://t.co/TlzLmgfLwB
See images from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in new IMAX documentary https://t.co/iy9JEG3ASe
As Earth prepares for eclipse, a NASA probe is ready to 'touch the sun' https://t.co/oREu26ijdd
If you want to check out the International Space Station head outside at 8:11 p.m. and look toward the northwest. You'll see a bright white dot cruising across the night sky. It will be visible for four minutes. https://t.co/ew9ZpYRlEI
Eclipse provides NASA scientists opportunity to study burning sky Read more: https://t.co/BHAm65DRzn
Daily Telescope: A colorful star trail through the largest window in space https://t.co/mCsLp5hJZM
JWST just dropped a new image of our galactic center (Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/T.Carpentier) https://t.co/TY1lfXjnRC
☄ The devil’s comet will pass over Earth for the first time since 1954, coinciding with the solar eclipse in April. https://t.co/pxOiHHzrUU
The 'devil comet' -- officially known as comet 12P/Pons-Brooks -- orbits the sun every 71 years and is making its first pass through the heavens over our small, blue marble for the first time since 1954. https://t.co/3pdkVl5CUI
Check out @NASA's #Astronomy #ImageOfTheDay ELT and the Milky Way https://t.co/5FhQ61GsI3
Galactic mystery in teal: Abell 85 reveals the elusive, wandering stars of the cosmos Credit: Astronomical Data/Image: M. Montes (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias); Artistic Enhancement: J. Pinto (Rubin Observatory) https://t.co/8YPdLd1FZX
Explosive 'devil comet' returns for 1st time in 71 years during April 8 eclipse, NASA says https://t.co/LqeOHGkSMS https://t.co/u9ll9eV5ro
Officially named comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, the cryovolcanic comet is known as the "devil comet" due to its formation of two "horns" made up of ice and gas and periodic explosions. https://t.co/EXlKbvxkSO https://t.co/EXlKbvxkSO
Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a rare star explosion https://t.co/qgMuuoa6Vb