The Hidden Meaning of the Devil Comet: Understanding its Earthward Journey and the Significance of Straight Horns
Discover the meaning behind the ‘devil comet’, an icy mass three times larger than Mount Everest, hurtling towards Earth.
This fearsome-named cosmic entity has sparked end-of-the-world conspiracy theories online. However, there’s no need for alarm.
Devil comet plummets towards Earth
A massive object recently caught scientists’ eyes after its second eruption this month. This behemoth is the “cold volcano” comet, duly christened 12P/Pons-Brooks.
With a whopping diameter of some 18.6 miles, or 30 kilometers, this comet is no ordinary space rock. It boasts a solid nucleus and a frosty cocktail of ice, dust, and gas, fondly dubbed as ‘cryomagmam’ by the authorities at Live Science.
But hold your horses, anxious star-gazers! Our celestial visitor, the comet, won’t dare to approach its nearest to Earth until sometime around April 2024. That’s when it’ll be clear as day to the naked eye.
Interpreting the ‘devil comet’
The moniker ‘devil comet’ arises from the seemingly devilish pair of horns the cosmic entity has sprung, Spaceweather reports.
This comet has captured the keen interest of astronomers, with a dramatic increase in brightness noted on October 5th.
Over the next few days, it expanded and developed what Bill Williams from Florida’s Chiefland Astro Village describes as “peculiar horns”.
“It is fascinating to see Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks ‘come alive’ again, sporting peculiar horns and symmetrical knots around the comet coma,” he said.
Why does it have ‘horns’?
These ‘horns’ could be caused by a cryovolcanic vent that has a blockage, Richard Miles from the British Astronomical Association claimed.
“The two ‘horns’ may be caused by a peculiarly-shaped cryovolcanic vent with some sort of blockage causing material to be expelled with a weird flow pattern,” he said.
Its ominous name has sparked theories that the comet will be apocalyptic, with one person writing on TikTok: “Does this mean the Earth will end?”
“Doomsday is coming,” said another – but the comet isn’t actually on course to get anywhere near Earth so there’s no need to panic.
It’s predicted to be closest to us on April 21, 2024, after which it will pass by and continue its 71-year orbit.