Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks over Scotland

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks over Scotland

12P/Pons–Brooks is a periodic comet with an orbital period of 71 years. It fits the classical definition of a Halley-type comet with an orbital period between 20 and 200 years. It is also one of the brightest known periodic comets, reaching an absolute visual magnitude ~5 in its approach to perihelion.

Comet Pons-Brooks was discovered at Marseilles Observatory in July 1812 by Jean-Louis Pons.

Image Credit: Alan Tough 

Release Date: March 30, 2024

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