Giant Comet Will Fly by the Earth and Will Be Visible in the Night Sky

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A huge volcanic comet, 12P/Pons-Brooks, has violently exploded for the second time in four months and it is heading towards the Earth. It will not hit the Earth but we could see it in the night sky around April 21, 2024.

UPDATE Astronomy sites say look by Hercules constellation with an 8 inch telescope to see 12P/Pons Brooks, later binoculars.

It has a solid nucleus, with an estimated diameter of 18.6 miles (30 kilometers), and is filled with a mix of ice, dust and gas known as cryomagma. The comet is about three times bigger than Mount Everest. The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs was between 10 and 15 kilometers wide.

12P is currently hurtling toward the inner solar system, where it will be slingshotted around the sun on its highly elliptical 71-year orbit around the sun.

12P will reach its closest point to Earth on April 21, 2024, when it may become visible to the naked eye before being catapulted back toward the outer solar system. It probably will also be visible in June, 2024. It will not return until 2095.

UPDATE: Earth Extinction sized comets article.

20 thoughts on “Giant Comet Will Fly by the Earth and Will Be Visible in the Night Sky”

  2. Hi, I am an amature astronomer, who moved from Canada to South America. I took a two yr. course in the OSC. I learned from Ivan Seminuik, built my own 6 inch telescope. I find the southern Hemisphere quite interesting. When Hale Bop was closest to earth I had the opportunity to meet them and attend a seminar. My advice after reading the many comments, is invest in a decent pair of binoculars. A store in Canada carries a very good pair 9 to 27 x 50. You can see moons of Jupiter easily, resolve the moon on a good night…. comets are an awesome sight through these. I look forward to this comet as in April I am visiting Canada and in June I will be back in Bolivia. Thank you for posting this article and I hope my post gives some insight.

    • Hello, tonight we’re outside for the Orionid meteor shower from Halleys Comet. Prior military I’ve always used NVG’s and it’s so addictive you can see so far out into space it’s unbelievable. Question for all, I live south east of Wichita Ks and in November 2022 I spotted a blurry star. Tonight my daughter spotted it using her NVG’s and this star is closer and the blur is more noticeable. Looking straight up at 90 move your hand east 80-75 and you can see it. Anyone know what this is? Thank You in advance.

  6. Hopefully those three rockets nasa launched during the solar eclipse last Saturday won’t effect anything

  7. As long as it doesn’t make any sudden moves on the way here, we’llbe fine. 🤣 I’d love to see it!!

  9. There has to be some way to profit off the certain knowledge that it will be locally overcast for the week of April 21st, 2024. 😉

    • Imagine how apprehensive I am about the eclipse two weeks earlier: I live yards from the center of the path of totality (as best as can be determined by the highest-resolution maps I have seen)!

      My only consolation is that perhaps darkness will be more dramatic? Or will low-flying clouds reflect such light as may be generated on the ground (streetlights and automated store and parking lot lights, for example).

      This area has not been total in my lifetime, nor will I live to the next totality: O e and done. Every digit that can be crossed IS crossed!

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