Kevin LeGore caught this spectacular image of the 12P/Pons-Brooks Comet with his SVX180T. First discovered by Jean Louis Pons in 1812 and later William Robert Brooks in 1883, this object has an orbital period of approximately 71.3 years. It is hypothesized that 12P is the probable parent body responsible for the K-Draconids meteor shower, leaving behind a dust debris field for Earth to pass through. It is expected to reach its maximum brightness, potentially visible to the naked eye, during the month of April 2024. 

According to Kevin:

"Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is putting on a show in the low western sky. You will need a telescope or camera to catch it. Short exposures will get the greenish coma and longer exposures the tail."

"This was captured via the remote telescopes we have access to at Falling Eagle observatory in central California. The images were aligned on the comet, due to its movement that stars blur in the background."

Image Specifications:

@stellarvue_telescopes SVX-180T

Software Bisque Paramount MX+

@zwoasi ASI6200MC

60x30s explores, bin 2x2

References:

Rao, J. (2024, March 8). Here’s how to see “horned” comet 12P/Pons-Brooks in the night sky this month (video). Space.com. https://www.space.com/comet-12p-pons-brooks-march-2024

Draconids Meteor Shower 2024. (n.d.). https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/draconid.html