Exact time and place to see Comet Diablo live from Mexico on April 21 on NASA TV | MIXING

Devil’s Comet, also known as 12P/Pons Brooks, visits the inner solar system every 71 years and on Sunday (April 21) will reach perihelion, the point in its elliptical orbit when it is closest to the Sun and will become bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. This is an astronomical phenomenon which is easier to see from states such as California, Texas, Illinois and Florida, but in any case from Canada and Mexico You can also see this celestial spectacle without resorting to the use of special equipment. Find out how to watch it, the schedule and everything about the broadcast on NASA TV below.

Ponce Brooks will disappear from the northern sky after April 21st. However, observers in the southern hemisphere will have several more weeks to see it. The best viewing opportunity will come on June 2, 2024, when the comet approaches within 228 million kilometers (142 million miles) of Earth. No matter the location, the celestial event will require a good telescope or binoculars for stargazing. But the effort may be worth it, given that the next observation of Comet Diablo will not occur until 2095.

What is Comet Diablo?

Called Comet Diablo due to its tail, it is shaped like two horns, its diameter is about 30 kilometers, and recent studies have found that the frequency of its approach to planet Earth is every 71.3 years. This comet does not pose a threat to Earth, as the comet was observed in the 13th and 14th centuries, centuries before its official discovery.

Why is it called the devil’s comet?

Ponce Brooks is a cryovolcanic (or cold volcanic) comet. These comets consist of an icy core surrounded by a coma, a layer of gas and dust. As they approach the Sun, the increase in temperature and pressure causes intense explosions that release large amounts of ice and gas into space. This phenomenon is similar to volcanic eruptions on Earth, but instead of molten lava, frozen materials are used.

Pons-Brooks is known for his periodic outbursts of anger. But on October 5, 2023, astronomers recorded a particularly powerful explosion. This made the comet much brighter and also gave it two horn-like tails. The “horns” have since disappeared, and the comet’s recent outbursts have not been as dramatic. However, the nickname stuck.

When will you be able to see Comet Diablo?

This comet can be seen in April, especially in North America, in areas where there is not too much light pollution. The best date to see Comet Diablo will be April 21, when it can be seen even with the naked eye.

To see the comet, you need to look northwest, at 62 degrees above the horizon, according to NASA.

What time will Comet Diablo be seen in Mexico?

On April 21, at sunset (18:55 CDMX), the comet will be visible in all its splendor. If for some reason it is not visible on this date, it can also be seen a week before and after the mentioned day, from April 14 to 30. Comet Diablo is visible in countries such as the United States and Canada in addition to Mexico.

How to see Comet Diablo from Mexico?

Outside big cities and in nature is the best option to see this comet. In Mexico, for example, many people head to the Peña del Aire geosite in Hidalgo, which has been aiming to become a Dark Sky Park for several years because it is one of the best places to gaze at the night sky.

Another place is the Joya la Barreta Ecological Park, between the cities of Queretaro and San Miguel de Allende. Recognized as an urban dark sky park by the International DarkSky Association.

How to see Comet Diablo online on April 21?

There are applications that allow you to follow the trajectory of Comet Diablo in the sky. For example, application Sky tonight, which can be used from an Android smartphone (available in the Google Play store) and from an iPhone or iPad (available in the App Store). This is a paid app with a one-week free trial, ideal for observing the comet over the next few days.

You also have the Comet Pons-Brooks app for iOS devices, which allows you to track Devil’s Comet in real time (available in the App Store). Both apps work the same way: you only need to point your device towards the sky to track the comet based on our location.

Is Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks visible this evening?

If you’re in the mid-northern latitudes, look for the comet low in the western sky just after dark. The best time to watch is around 21:00 local time. At this time, the comet will begin to pass under the treetops, so look for a place with a good view to the west-northwest. The comet may appear as a faint, fuzzy blob that may appear greenish in photographs. Through binoculars or long-exposure photographs, you can also see its faint tail pointing upward.

How to watch NASA+ streaming?

Starting in 2023, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration launched the NASA+ streaming service, which is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV devices. You can also follow the Comet Diablo broadcast on April 21st here.

Comet Diablo will pass over Mexico this Sunday, April 21st. (Video: @GobDMazatlan).