Spot the ‘Devil Comet’ in NY April Sky: Rare Celestial Show

A special comet known for its occasional bursts of activity is currently visible in the night sky, and if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of it during next month's solar eclipse.

This comet, named 12P/Pons-Brooks, got its nickname "devil comet" because of an eruption last year that left it with two distinct trails resembling devil horns.

Right now, you can spot the comet from the Northern Hemisphere using binoculars or telescopes. But as we head towards the end of the month, it might become visible to the naked eye as it swings closer to the sun, reaching its closest point in mid-April.

What Exactly Is A Comet?

Comets are icy leftovers from when the solar system formed. They have a core of dust, gas, and ice, surrounded by bright clouds of gas called a coma. Sometimes, when sunlight heats a comet's core, it can lead to explosive outbursts, like with Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks.

How Can We See The Devil's Comet?

For the best chance of spotting the comet, try looking towards the west-northwest horizon during early evenings in April. It's expected to get brighter as the month goes on and should be visible until early May, as long as the sky is clear and dark.

Will We See It During The Solar Eclipse?

There's a possibility that the comet might be visible during the solar eclipse on April 8, especially if it flares up significantly in the coming weeks. However, this would only be visible to those in the path of totality, where the moon fully blocks the sun's light, in many places in the Adirondacks and across New York State.

Regardless of the eclipse, there will still be plenty of chances to see the comet on its own in the evening sky.

Try and catch a glimpse of this celestial event because it won't come around again for seventy-one years. That's how long it takes the Devil's Comet to orbit the sun.