Posted on by David Dickinson

The Comet vs. the Eclipse: 12P/Pons-Brooks Heads Towards Perihelion in April

Comet 12P
A recent capture of Comet 12P Pons-Brooks. Credit: Michael Jaeger.

Comet 12P Pons-Brooks takes center stage this Spring.

Something is definitely up with the 12th periodic comet in the catalog. We’re talking about Comet 12P Pons-Brooks, set to reach the first of two perihelia for the 21st century this Spring. And the timing couldn’t be better, as the comet will also sit near the Sun just two weeks prior during the total solar eclipse of April 8th 2024, spanning the North American continent from the southwest to the northeast. If the comet over-performs—a long shot, but multiple outbursts in 2023 suggest it just might—we could be in for the added treat of a naked eye comet near the Sun during totality.

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Posted on by David Dickinson

Comet H2 Lemmon Brightens in Early November Ahead of Expectations

Comet H2 Lemmon
Comet H2 Lemmon passes near the galaxy NGC 4258 on October 12th. Credit: Dan Bartlett

Discovered early this year, Comet C/2023 H2 Lemmon may approach naked eye brightness this month.

A comet discovered earlier this year is performing above expectations, and is currently well-placed in the dusk sky. We’re talking about Comet C/2023 H2 Lemmon, moving up the charts now at magnitude +8 and brightening.

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