Cosmic Double Feature: Devil Comet Meets the Eclipse

31st March, 2024 CHIRANJIT MITRA CHIRANJIT MITRA

[{"selector":"#anim-6de92315-2675-4b92-96c5-8f8f18c6f0cc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(1.6527878916387548%, -3.8791625021242355%) scale(1.4545454545454546)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7204f05e-def1-4f9f-a989-b236bf3813d4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-71d7341e-f9e1-4d18-b9d3-7b74cf32537e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The April 8th solar eclipse is getting a dazzling cosmic companion – Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks. Learn more

[{"selector":"#anim-f963723e-5ebc-4493-9a64-fad01b1f1c4d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(37.517664466020875%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e1328e1c-bce0-4ac4-9963-af87304f5632","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e7a4cad7-ea5b-49b5-aa74-ca9f160fb0b7","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Why 'Devil Comet'? It earned its name way back in 1812 when its appearance was mistakenly linked to the War of 1812.

[{"selector":"#anim-ef8c48ae-3873-424d-b0ea-94bb08f511f8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(9.13253674170783%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c7ea3198-90c8-4a03-90be-6d0e0e746ebb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-94c118fa-d39c-4d59-a057-8906a4d2b726","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Not Actually Fiery: Don't worry, it's just a ball of ice and dust. But comets can put on a spectacular show!

[{"selector":"#anim-ab4c6c93-395a-45e3-bc2d-777f6c921bbb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-37.414392131644746%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4eab2e50-1803-4751-a67a-17a032f06c29","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aaf3254c-84af-4791-afc6-aef693f2a828","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] When & Where: During the TOTAL solar eclipse, look for the comet nearby. Best visible along the eclipse path.

[{"selector":"#anim-6cd79419-e6a5-40a8-9f3e-4ce67ca18cd4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-60.256467879482834%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8b29502b-8e32-4a3c-abf9-f514881439f8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c1852ec9-53dc-4d28-ad40-9cd2914f825e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Finding the Comet: If you have binoculars or a telescope, it'll be easier to spot. Otherwise, look for a faint smudge.

[{"selector":"#anim-b90a57e5-21a1-4157-bc61-dadd55d62377 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-62.35660773682113%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0abe0d91-e3d4-4407-9962-b0cae0bc9444","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7ffc9ca5-0630-4866-8300-181ad9620f92","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Sky's the Limit: If conditions are right, the comet's tail might even be visible during the darkened eclipse.

[{"selector":"#anim-283cf8b9-f900-4b6e-bc0d-171ce61a3f4b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-9.595497853800538%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-424041fb-1c34-4d83-a103-4e08b05de04f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-093a8942-c9a5-40df-8b90-1d81a3339f2f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Rare Cosmic Treat: This is a unique chance to see a comet during a solar eclipse – astronomy magic! Learn more

[{"selector":"#anim-f47fd7f7-84dc-4135-9862-0a418e499fcd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-35.40946599634441%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2b1dd635-91b6-4064-92ad-07edd827f5f6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7df96723-764e-41ed-a8e7-e397c719d7f4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Mark your calendars: April 8th, let's witness the breathtaking cosmic ballet of the sun, moon, and the Devil Comet. Learn more