When and where to watch Comet Diablo live from the US this April 21 via NASA TV | composition

It's time to try to find the comet Ponce-Brooks In the night sky. Nicknamed the 'Devil's Comet', the stargazer has been offering glimpses of humanity since early March, appearing as a tiny, bright spot captured by the cameras of some astronomers around the world. Estimated to be a comet 12P/Pons-Brooks It is larger than Mount Everest (8.84 km high) and, according to calculations by scientists in a 2020 paper, the ice and rock mass is almost 17 km wide, or twice the height of the world's tallest mountain. Check out this article for the schedule and how to experience this astronomical event.

The intergalactic visitor is actually a cold, active cryovolcanic comet that soared across the sky and earned a sinister nickname: the “Devil Comet,” as it periodically erupts violently, releasing billions of kilograms of ice, water, and “cryomagma” gases (meteor showers) that resemble a devil's horn. Gives an irregular shape.

When can Comet Diablo be seen in the US?

Comet Diablo is estimated to be visible in the United States, and will be at its closest approach to the Sun on April 21st, at sunset (07:25 p.m., Los Angeles time).

How to watch NASA+ via streaming?

Since 2023, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has operated a streaming service called NASA+, available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV and devices. Here you can follow the transit of Comet Diablo this April 21st.

Why is it called Comet Diablo?

Ponce-Brooks is a cryovolcanic (or cold volcanic) comet. These comets are composed of an ice core surrounded by a coma, a layer of gas and dust. As they approach the Sun, the increase in temperature and pressure triggers intense explosions, releasing large amounts of ice and gas into space. This phenomenon is similar to volcanic eruptions on Earth but with frozen material instead of molten lava.

Ponce-Brooks is known for his periodicals. But on October 5, 2023, astronomers detected a massive explosion. This made the comet very bright and produced two horn-like tails. The “horns” have disappeared and the comet's recent explosions have been less dramatic. However, the nickname stuck.

Where (and when) to look for the Devil's Comet?

In recent days, the first confirmed sightings of 12P/Pons-Brooks have come from across Australia. It is now visible in the western sky after sunset, though almost lost in the twilight glow.

In the coming weeks, the comet will slowly rise in the night sky. The two videos below show the location of the comet's head at 6:30 PM from mid-April to mid-June.

Remember, a comet is a diffuse object rather than a point of light. Where the comet is brightest (centered on its nucleus). Comet tails point away from the Sun, so they rise above the western horizon in the night sky.

Comet Diablo will pass over Mexico this Sunday, April 21. (Video: @GobDMazatlan).