What if there were two rare phenomenas appearing in Ada on April 8th?
Most individuals in Ada are prepared to see the moon cover the sun in totality during the 2024 Solar Eclipse, but not many realize that there is another rare object to be seen in the sky during that time: the Devil’s Comet.
Witnessing the 12P/Pons-Brooks comet, also known as the Devil’s Comet, is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, for the celestial object can only be seen once every 71 years.
The celestial object has a green and red appearance with a blue tail and is considered a “cold volcano” due to its rock-and-ice composition and cryovolcanic activity. The curved shape is known to resemble a horseshoe or horns, earning it the name “Devil’s Comet”.
The comet was known to make an appearance in April for several months, but astronomers recently discovered that it will appear in the sky during the eclipse. In fact, it is predicted to be seen 21 degrees to the left of the sun and moon during totality.
While experts have confirmed that the comet will be present during the eclipse, it provides a significant dilemma for astronomers who want to document the events taking place, especially those with limited equipment.
The total eclipse endures for only four minutes, which gives astronomers a tight window to check their equipment and gather data. It would be a great risk to sacrifice your equipment to catch a comet that may not be easily visible, for the comet is predicted to be significantly faint in the sky and likely cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Dr. Jason Pinkney, who operates the observatory at Ohio Northern University, faces a similar challenge. The school owns a limited amount of telescopes and cameras. Since capturing an eclipse in Ada is a rare opportunity, he is uncertain that capturing the comet will be worth the personnel, time and equipment.
Astronomy students who are familiar with the equipment have been recruited to assist Dr. Pinkney in the observatory on the day of the eclipse. With the extra help, Dr. Pinkney stated that he will consider angling a telescope towards the comet, though his final decision is not yet determined. The choice can be made at any point until the moment of the eclipse on Monday, April 8th.
What would you do in this predicament…would you take the risk for a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence?