Scientists have identified a pattern in the eruptions of the massive comet known as the ‘Devil Comet’ or comet 12P, revealing that it tends to eject ice and gas explosively every 15 days. This pattern suggests a cyclical behavior where the comet, as it rotates, positions its cryovolcanic vent towards the sun, leading to eruptions when activated by the heat. This phenomenon is akin to the regular eruptions observed in geysers like “Old Faithful.”
Comet 12P, characterized as cryovolcanic, has an icy nucleus filled with gas and ice. The absorption of solar radiation heats its cryomagma, causing pressure to build inside the nucleus until the icy shell cracks, releasing the comet’s icy material into space. Each eruption results in the expansion of dust and a reflective cloud of cryomagma around the comet, making it appear brighter to astronomers.
The latest explosive event occurred on December 14, leading scientists to predict the next eruption around December 29 or 30. The comet has experienced three major eruptions so far, with the first on July 20, followed by a more vigorous event on October 5 and a less intense outburst on Halloween (October 31). The distinctive “horns” observed in the comet’s appearance after explosions are attributed to the irregular shape of its coma.
While the coma took on a circular shape after the November 14 eruption, lacking the characteristic horns, astronomers noted that the comet became more than 100 times brighter than usual for several days. This observation underscores the complexity and variability in the behavior of the ‘Devil Comet’ as it continues to reveal its mysteries to scientists.
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