How to see the incredible comet 12P/Pons-Brooks tonight
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks orbits the sun every 71 years and is currently making its closest approach. Here’s when and how you can see it – perhaps even during a solar eclipse
By Abigail Beall
12 March 2024
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks seen on 5 March near Tromsø, Norway
Bernt Olsen
One of the brightest known comets is heading towards Earth, and it may be visible to the naked eye in the coming weeks. Follow our guide to spot comet 12P/Pons-Brooks for yourself.
When will the comet be visible?
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks takes 71 years to orbit the sun, during which time it flies to the outer edges of the solar system and back again. On this occasion, it will reach its perihelion – its closest approach to the sun – on 21 April. The comet will then continue getting closer to Earth, reaching its nearest on 2 June at 232 million kilometres away.
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What is the best time to look for the comet?
Although it will be closer to Earth in June, the best time to see the comet in the northern hemisphere will be during the coming weeks, as the lighter evenings will prevent it from being visible after the end of April. By June, it will only be visible in the southern hemisphere.
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Where in the sky will the comet appear?
12P/Pons-Brooks will move through the night sky into the constellation Pisces from the constellation Andromeda, where it is currently sitting just below the bright star Mirach. By the end of March, it will move into the constellation Aries. It is predicted to reach magnitude 5, which means it should be visible to the naked eye from places with dark skies, or through binoculars.
