Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks could approach naked-eye in March, as it tracks from Andromeda to Pisces.
Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks is set to exit the Andromeda constellation this week and head into Pisces, but not before an encounter that will take it about 2° north of star Delta Andromedae.
Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks is one of a handful of bright comets in the sky in 2024 that have got comet-chasers and astronomers talking, and you really should seek it out this month.
12 P/Pons-Brooks is predicted to brighten from mag. 7.1 to 5.2 throughout March, the latter value taking it close to naked-eye territory.
There’s a bit of cosmic balance at play too, because whereas C/2021 S3 PanSTARRS is best in the early morning sky, 12P is one comet that’s best in the evening sky.
Find out what comets and asteroids are in the sky tonight
Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks key dates
Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks starts its track in March just north of the Great Square of Pegasus, technically within the constellation Andromeda.
As the sky gets properly dark from the centre of the UK, it’ll be approximately 24° above the west-northwestern horizon.
The comet then heads southeast, brightening as it goes.
On 12 March, Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks is just shy of 2° north of mag. 3.2 Delta (δ) Andromedae, zipping past this star over the following evenings before exiting Andromeda and entering Pisces just before midnight on 14 March.
It will then pass through the ill-defined northern fish of Pisces, tracking southeast to arrive at a position close to mag. 2.0 Hamal (Alpha (α) Arietis).
On the evening of 31 March, comet 12P/Pons–Brooks lies less than half a degree from this star.
The expanding evening twilight will cause issues at the end of the month, Hamal being just 10° above the west-northwestern horizon as true darkness falls.
Moon and planets
The Moon moves through the region mid-month, but as a thin waxing crescent it shouldn’t become an issue until 18 March, moving out of the way again around 26 March.
Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks will have bright Jupiter and less bright Uranus nearby, especially towards the end of the month.
With the Andromeda Galaxy on the table too, there’s an opportunity for capturing a stunning astrophoto of the scene.
You can find out more about how to do this in our guide on how to photograph a comet.
Have you managed to observe or even photograph Comet 12P/ Pons–Brooks? Let us know by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com