This video clearly shows the orbit of comet Pons–Brooks and its return to the Sun in 2024. The video also helps to determine where to look for this comet in the sky during its greatest brightness.
The period of rotation of this comet around the Sun is just over 70 years. For most of this period, the comet has such a low brightness that it is impossible to detect it even with the help of the most powerful instruments. Before each comet returns, it is as if it is rediscovered, carefully studying the sky in the place where it should be according to calculations.
The elongated elliptical orbit of comet Pons–Brooks is almost perpendicular to the ecliptic plane. At the maximum distance from the Sun, the comet turns out to be farther than Neptune. The orbit of comet Pons–Brooks resembles the orbit of Halley’s comet, which was described in another video.
Comet Pons–Brooks is sometimes subjected to powerful bursts of activity when its brightness increases hundreds of times. These outbursts are associated with the phenomenon of cryovolcanism, in which water and some gases erupt from the comet nucleus. Eruptions give the comet a bizarre appearance: to some it seems “horned”, and to others it resembles the “Millennium Falcon” from “Star Wars”.
In 2024, comet Pons–Brooks will return to the Sun for the fourth time since its discovery in 1812. Due to its activity, the brightness of the comet increases dramatically during the approaches to the Sun. And a noticeable tail appears, pointing away from the Sun and slightly curved in the course of motion. On April 20, 2024, comet Pons–Brooks will pass at the minimum distance from the Sun, which will be about 116 million km. Unfortunately, the Earth at this moment will be on the other side of its orbit. Therefore, this time the conditions for its observation will not be the most favorable. The most spectacular was its second return in 1883. On January 1, 1884, for several hours, its brightness was comparable to that of the star Vega.
On December 6, 2023, comet Pons–Brooks will pass very close to the aforementioned bright star Vega. The best conditions for its observations in the Northern Hemisphere will be in February 2024, when it will still be far enough from the Sun. In the period from April 12 to April 14, the comet may be able to “reach” Jupiter with its tail, which at this time will be close to connecting with Uranus. This event can be observed in the Northern Hemisphere very low above the horizon in the evening immediately after sunset. Starting in May 2024, comet Pons–Brooks will be observed by residents of the Southern Hemisphere. But by that time, its brightness will begin to weaken rapidly.
Modeling and rendering were performed by author of this video using own software. Visualization of comet and its tail is also invented and implemented by the author of this video. The calculations took into account the mutual influence of the Sun, all the planets of the Solar System, the Moon and the comet on each other. Relativistic effects were also taken into account in the calculation. Non-gravitational effects associated with the comet nucleus matter evaporation were not taken into account.
This work contains Music Track Heaven and Hell that is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license. Author: Jeremy Blake
