The comet, which takes up to 71 years to complete one cycle around the Sun, has recently shown some odd behavior.
Named 12P/Pons-Brooks (12P), it is a type of active cryovolcanic comet (cold volcano) that releases volatiles such as water, ammonia, or methane. The gas and ice inside 12P's nucleus can build up to the point that the comet releases explosive bursts upon exposure to sunlight.
Until recently, Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks appeared to be an average comet.
But on July 20, numerous astronomers spotted a significant outburst from the comet that seemed to be 100 times brighter than usual.
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