Summary
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will make its closest approach to the sun on April 21. The 'Devil Comet' orbits the sun approximately every 71 years, so this isn't its first encounter with our star. After perihelion on April 21, the celestial vagabond will continue its journey through the solar system before returning to our skies in 2095. When comets get closer to the sun than planet Mercury, they are subjected to a far greater dose of heat which could shatter them.