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'Comets are like cats': The Albuquerque Astronomical Society shares Devil Comet facts
The Valles Caldera National Preserve was recognized as an International Dark Sky Park
The Devil Comet is making an appearance after taking a 71-year trip around the sun.
To learn more about the comet, I spoke with Beck Ramotowski, former vice president of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society. Ramotowski still volunteers with the society, and she shared facts about the comet and resources to learn more about its path and history.
What is the scientific name, and how do they come up with comet names?
Ramotowski explained the scientific name for the Devil Comet is 12/P Pons-Brooks.
"The P means periodic," Ramotwoski said. "Okay, so it's been it's been here before. It's like Haley's, you know, Haley's comes, Haley's is a P comment. It comes around every 86 years."
Ramotowski said this comet comes around every 71 years, so see it now.
The Pons-Brooks is added to the name, attributing to the astronomers who discovered the comet.
According to space.com, Jean-Louis Pons, a French astronomer, discovered the comet in 1812, then in 1883, William R. Brooks, a British-born American, rediscovered the celestial visitor.
Where can you see the comet?
“With a clear sky to the west after sunset north of where Jupiter is, or to the right of Jupiter,” Ramotowski said. “If you live in Albuquerque, you really need to get out some place darker, you know, with an unobstructed western view, … no tall buildings, no trees. You need a good western horizon because it's fairly low.”
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Ramotowski said the comet is visible with the naked eye, if the viewer has good eyes, but recommends binoculars to help see it more clearly.
Ramotowski also suggested viewers drive west or south of town to get out of Albuquerque's sky glow to have the best possible view of the comet.
How big is the comet?
Ramotowski said that comets change in size, describing them as "dirty snowballs" made up of ice and gas.
She added comet tails can sometimes break off or be blown off by solar winds.
How long will the comet be visible?
Ramotowski said the comet will be visible during the 2024 American Eclipse.
Though the eclipse's path doesn't cut through New Mexico, Ramotowski said the totality will make it easier to see the comet.
According to science.com, the comet will arrive at perihelion, its closest point to the sun, on April 21, at which point it will be 72.6 million miles away. It will then fade rapidly as it becomes clearer in the Southern Hemisphere, the website said.
The website said the comet is estimated to make its next appearance on August 10, 2095.
The comet's current location and progress can be tracked on skylive.com.
Is there an estimate of how many comets are in the sky?
Ramotowski said someone once told her, "comets are like cats."
"They do exactly what they want to," she said.
She said they have different personalities, "and part of that is what type they are, what their make-up is."
Ramotowski said it is difficult to put a number on how many comets there are because of factors including brightness, as some comets are even dimmer than Pluto.
"We're continually discovering new comets," Ramotowski said. "And a lot of that is due to automated telescopes."
According to Ramotowski, there are automated telescopes across the world and the new comets are named after the telescope that discovered them.
New Mexico Dark Skies
If you want to get out of the city to view the comet, or just for some stargazing, these New Mexico International Dark Sky Parks are certified by the Dark Sky Association.
Capulin Volcano National Monument
This site features Dark Sky viewing most Saturdays throughout the summer months, and on select nights during the fall, winter and spring. Giant telescopes are provided, allowing visitors to see planets, galaxies, nebulas and other celestial bodies. The monument is above 6,000 feet, so nights can get chilly. It is recommended to wear a jacket, long pants and closed-toed shoes, even in the summer. No reservations are needed, but the program may be changed or cancelled for bad weather.
Distance from Albuquerque: roughly four hours
Cost:
$10 — per person
$20 — per vehicle
$15 — per motorcycle
$35 — for an annual pass
Summer Hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day):
Volcano road is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., biking and hiking up the road is still allowed after it is closed to cars.
Winter Hours (Labor Day to Memorial Day):
Volcano road is open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., biking and hiking up the road is still allowed after it is closed to cars.
All trails on the lower areas are open dawn to dusk.
The night sky viewing area is open 24 hours a day, but no camping is allowed.
The park is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways
This state park has its own 14-inch Mead telescope. The area is a rolling grassland, which offers boating, picnicking, camping, fishing and hiking. The dinosaur track way is one of the most extensive in North America.
Distance from Albuquerque: Roughly 4 hours
Cost: $5 per vehicle
Hours: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Chaco Culture National Historical Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park, only the fourth national park to earn this distinction. Chaco hosts several campgrounds for tent camping and RVs; however, there are no hookups for RVs and generators may only be operated during certain hours.
Distance from Albuquerque: roughly three hours
Cost: Camping: $20 per night. Interagency, Senior and Access pass holders pay $10 per site, per night.
Entrance Fee: Cashless entry — only credit and debit cards will be accepted for payment.
$25 — private vehicle (Entry fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from date of purchase)
$15 — per person, individuals who enter the park walking or cycling (Entry fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from date of purchase)
$20 — motorcycle (Entry fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from date of purchase)
Hours: the Visitor Center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
This fort hosts various events throughout the year highlighting the monument's nighttime environment. There are Night Wonders events throughout the summer.
Distance from Albuquerque: Roughly two hours
Cost: Free
Hours:
Winter hours (Labor Day-Memorial Day):
The Visitor Center is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Summer Hours (Memorial Day-Labor Day):
The Visitor Center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
This Pueblo hosts various astronomy events such as star walks, meteor shower viewing or multimedia presentations throughout the year.
Distance from Albuquerque: Roughly an hour
Cost: Free
Hours:
Winter hours (Labor Day-Memorial Day):
The Visitor Center is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Summer Hours (Memorial Day-Labor Day):
The Visitor Center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary
This is the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the Northern Hemisphere. The campground has a hard-surface observation area with four pads for telescopes. The nearest significant source of light is more than 40 miles away.
Distance from Albuquerque: Almost four hours
Cost: Free
Season: Open year round
Valles Caldera National Preserve
This 13-mile-wide circular depression was created when a volcano erupted roughly 1 million years ago. Today, it is a preserve known for its mountain meadows, abundant wildlife and streams. The preserve is located in the Jemez Mountains. There are astronomy events, or visitors can enjoy stargazing on their own.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just under two hours
Cost: Free
Season:
Winter hours (Labor Day-Memorial Day):
The Visitor Center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Summer Hours (Memorial Day-Labor Day):
The Visitor Center is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
This monument was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2019 and since then has been working with the surrounding community to keep light pollution in the area to a minimum.
Distance from Albuquerque: Roughly two hours
Cost: Free
Hours:
Visitor Center and trails are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Monday; Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Portions of the trail may be closed in winter months because of ice and snow, call 505-783-4226 ext. 801 for current conditions.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Dark Sky designated sites in New Mexico
