"Rare Brightness: Spectacular Comet Approaching Sun and Visible in Night Sky This Month"

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, a massive 18-mile diameter comet with outbursts of gas, is approaching its closest point to the Sun on its 71-year orbit, offering sky watchers a rare opportunity to witness its brightening and dimming, resembling devil horns. Discovered by Jean-Louis Pons in 1812 and observed by William R. Brooks in 1883, the comet's ever-changing ion tail, outer coma, and red-glowing gas have been captured in images. As it nears the Sun, bursts of gas and dust may cause it to brighten, potentially making it visible to the naked eye by the end of March. Sky watchers can look for the comet in the west-northwest sky near the constellation Pisces, and it will be about 25 degrees from the Sun during the April 8 total solar eclipse.