City-size comet racing toward Earth regrows "horns" after massive volcanic eruption

A city-size comet racing toward Earth has regrown its distinctive "horns" after its second major eruption in four months. The comet, named 12P/Pons-Brooks, is a cryovolcanic comet, meaning that it has volcanoes that spew ice and gas into space.

12P/Pons-Brooks was last seen erupting in 1953. In July 2023, it erupted again, and its coma, the cloud of dust and gas that surrounds it, grew to over 143,000 miles (230,000 kilometers) in diameter. This is more than 7,000 times wider than the comet's nucleus.

The comet's most recent eruption, which occurred in October 2023, was even more powerful than the first one. The coma has grown even larger, and the comet's horns have become more prominent.

Astronomers are still trying to understand why 12P/Pons-Brooks is erupting so frequently. One possibility is that the comet is passing through a region of space with a lot of dust and ice. This dust and ice could be falling into the comet's volcanoes and triggering eruptions.

Another possibility is that the comet is experiencing some kind of internal change. For example, the comet's nucleus could be heating up, causing the ice inside to melt and vaporize. This would create a lot of pressure, which could eventually lead to an eruption.

Whatever the reason for the eruptions, 12P/Pons-Brooks is a fascinating object to study. It is one of the few known cryovolcanic comets, and it is the first time that astronomers have been able to observe such a comet erupting in such detail.

12P/Pons-Brooks: A unique opportunity for astronomers

12P/Pons-Brooks is a unique opportunity for astronomers to study cryovolcanic comets. It is the first time that astronomers have been able to observe such a comet erupting in such detail.

Astronomers are using a variety of telescopes and instruments to study 12P/Pons-Brooks. They are using optical telescopes to image the comet and its coma. They are also using radio telescopes to measure the temperature and composition of the coma.

In addition, astronomers are using spacecraft to study 12P/Pons-Brooks. The European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft studied comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014 and 2015. The data collected by Rosetta is helping astronomers to better understand the structure and composition of comets.

The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency's Hayabusa2 spacecraft is currently studying comet 169P/LINEAR. Hayabusa2 is scheduled to collect samples from the comet and return them to Earth in 2025.

These spacecraft missions are providing astronomers with valuable data about comets. This data is helping astronomers to better understand 12P/Pons-Brooks and other cryovolcanic comets.

What are cryovolcanic comets?

Cryovolcanic comets are comets that have volcanoes that spew ice and gas into space. These comets are thought to be formed in the outer solar system, where the temperatures are very cold. The ice and gas inside the comets remains frozen until they get closer to the sun.

As a cryovolcanic comet approaches the sun, it begins to warm up. The ice inside the comet melts and vaporizes, creating a lot of pressure. This pressure eventually builds up until it releases in a volcanic eruption.

Cryovolcanic eruptions are very different from volcanic eruptions on Earth. On Earth, volcanoes spew hot lava and ash into the air. But on cryovolcanic comets, the volcanoes spew ice and gas. This ice and gas quickly freezes into a cloud of dust and gas around the comet, called a coma.

12P/Pons-Brooks and the search for life

Comets are thought to have played a role in the delivery of water and organic molecules to Earth early in its history. Water and organic molecules are essential for life.

By studying comets, astronomers are hoping to learn more about the potential for life to exist beyond Earth. For example, astronomers are interested in learning more about the composition of comets' organic molecules. If these molecules are complex enough, they could support some form of life.

Why is 12P/Pons-Brooks erupting so frequently?

Astronomers are still trying to understand why 12P/Pons-Brooks is erupting so frequently. One possibility is that the comet is passing through a region of space with a lot of dust and ice. This dust and ice could be falling into the comet's volcanoes and triggering eruptions.

Another possibility is that the comet is experiencing some kind of internal change. For example, the comet's nucleus could be heating up, causing the ice inside to melt and vaporize. This would create a lot of pressure, which could eventually lead to an eruption.

What does the future hold for 12P/Pons-Brooks?

It is difficult to say what the future holds for 12P/Pons-Brooks. It is possible that the comet will continue to erupt frequently, or it is possible that the eruptions will stop. Astronomers are continuing to monitor the comet to learn more about its behavior.

Is 12P/Pons-Brooks a threat to Earth?

12P/Pons-Brooks is not a threat to Earth. The comet will come closest to Earth in 2024, but it will still be over 27 million miles away. This is too far away for the comet to pose any danger to our planet.

What can we learn from 12P/Pons-Brooks?

By studying 12P/Pons-Brooks, astronomers can learn more about how cryovolcanic comets work. This information could help us to better understand the formation and evolution of comets in general.

For example, astronomers are interested in learning more about the composition of 12P/Pons-Brooks' coma. The coma contains dust and gas that has been ejected from the comet's nucleus. By studying the composition of the coma, astronomers can learn more about the composition of the comet's nucleus.

Astronomers are also interested in learning more about the structure of 12P/Pons-Brooks' nucleus. The nucleus is the solid part of the comet. It is thought to be made of ice and dust. By studying the structure of the nucleus, astronomers can learn more about how comets form.

Conclusion

12P/Pons-Brooks is a fascinating object to study. It is one of the few known cryovolcanic comets, and it is the first time that astronomers have been able to observe such a comet erupting in such detail.

By studying 12P/Pons-Brooks, astronomers can learn more about how cryovolcanic comets work. This information could help us to better understand the formation and evolution of comets in general.

In addition, the study of comets could help us to learn more about the potential for life to exist beyond Earth.