Mother of Dragons comet will be visible in UK skies tonight - making first appearance in 70 years

A comet the size of Mount Everest, dubbed the Mother of Dragons, will be visible in the UK's night sky tonight.

The comet, officially known as 12P/ Pons-Brooks, is making its first appearance in the inner solar system in over 70 years. The celestial body orbits the sun every 71.3 years and tonight, April 21, will offer the best viewing opportunity. The sun's light reflecting off the comet will make it appear brighter this evening.

To spot the comet, look westward, slightly below and to the left of Jupiter (which appears as a bright, white dot), around an hour and a half after sunset, just before 10pm. While the comet should be visible to the naked eye, using a telescope or binoculars may enhance the view.

Those with a particularly clear view might even see the comet emit a green glow, due to its unique carbon structure. Sun radiation will break apart part of the comet's surface, releasing this unusual light.

The comet also exhibits 'cryovolcanic' activity, meaning that the sun's heat causes liquids and gases beneath its surface to erupt. These eruptions, occurring as the comet speeds along at 40,000mph, have previously resulted in a second tail, earning it the nickname 'devil comet' due to the horn-like appearance of the twin tails.

It's believed that this comet is the source of the Draconid meteor shower we witness each year in November and December - hence its moniker, Mother of Dragons.

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