Colossal cryovolcanic Comet exploded in space, heading for Earth

Scientists believe that a giant cryovolcanic comet, three times the size of Mount Everest, has exploded into space and is currently hurtling toward Earth. But there's no need to panic—we won't be struck by the comet. Rather, on April 21, 2024, it is anticipated to be observable with the unaided eye near its closest point to Earth.

This object in space is a cryovolcanic comet, and its designation is 12P/Pons-Brooks. These comets are fascinating, with a solid core made of a mixture of ice, dust, and gases that stretches an amazing 18.6 miles (30 km). 

These elements are comparable to a soda bottle's carbonation. As the comet warms up due to solar radiation, pressure inside the cryomagma increases to the point where nitrogen and carbon monoxide explode, causing large cracks in the comet's outer layer to spew ice particles.

The comet got dozens of times brighter due to the increased light reflecting from its extended coma, and on October 5 astronomers spotted a big outburst from 12P, according to the British Astronomical Association (BAA), which has been constantly watching the comet. 

The comet's coma continued to grow over the following few days, forming its "peculiar horns," according to Spaceweather.com. Some analysts made the joke that the comet resembles a science fiction spaceship, like the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars, because of the coma's uneven shape.

12P is presently accelerating toward the inner solar system, where it will be launched into a highly elliptical 71-year orbit around our home star, slingshotting it around the sun. This trajectory is comparable to that of the green comet Nishimura, which executed a nearly identical maneuver on September 17. 

On April 21, 2024, 12P will be at its closest point to Earth and may be visible to the unaided eye before it is hurled back toward the outer solar system. It won't come back until 2095.