A long-lost comet, 12P/Pons-Brooks, is set to make a celestial comeback this April after a 71-year journey around the sun. Known for its dramatic flare-ups and distinctive horseshoe shape, which has earned it the moniker “devil comet,” this icy space traveler will be visible during the total solar eclipse on April 8. Discovered in 1812 by the prolific comet hunter Jean-Louis Pons and later independently found by William R. Brooks in 1883, the comet is a testament to the enduring legacy of early astronomical discoveries. As one of the 3,910 known comets, 12P/Pons-Brooks is a relic from the solar system’s formation, composed of dust and rock that can emit gases and dust when heated by the sun, creating its striking appearance in the sky.
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