On a sunny morning of November 1, 1948, residents of East Africa witnessed a rare astronomical phenomenon: a total solar eclipse.
However, what made this event even more spectacular was the appearance of a brilliant comet next to the eclipsed Sun, marking the beginning of the Great Eclipse Comet from 1948.
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This was just one of many examples where comets and solar eclipses met in the skies, creating an unparalleled celestial spectacle.
Eclipse comets
(Image: Miloslav Druckmüller, Peter Aniol, Vojtek Rusin [eclipse] and Harvard University [comet]/Reproduction)
Total solar eclipses are impressive phenomena, but due to their limited occurrence in narrow geographic ranges, not everyone has the chance to witness them.
On the other hand, unlike eclipses, whose calendars can be calculated precisely, comets they often surprise astronomers and enthusiasts when they emerge.
Rare as they may be, when these two unique cosmic phenomena align, the result is a spectacular sight that captivates all observers.
The first records of comets seen during eclipses date back centuries, with the Greek philosopher Posidonius vaguely reporting such an occurrence.
However, it was only in 1882 that the first eclipse comet was scientifically documented, becoming known as Comet Tewfik or X/1882 K1. Its quick passage through the sky during a solar eclipse in Egypt marked a historic moment.
Notable examples of the phenomenon
The Great Eclipse Comet of 1948 recorded two weeks after the eclipse at the Harvard Observatory. (Image: Harvard University Observatory/Reproduction)
In 1893, during a total solar eclipse that crossed South America and the Atlantic Ocean, American astronomers, analyzing photographs taken in Chile, made an interesting discovery.
They found a comet with a tail extending beyond the solar corona, even though it was not observed visually.
It disappeared quickly after the eclipse, suggesting it was destroyed by a coronal mass ejection.
During an eclipse that passed through East Africa and the Indian Ocean, a bright comet appeared next to the eclipsed Sun, and was even detected by a plane from the Royal Air Force of England.
Since then, astronomers have struggled to spot comets during solar eclipses, although the spectacle of the Great Eclipse Comet of 1948 has been difficult to match.
The famous Comet Hale-Bopp made a discreet appearance during an eclipse in 1997, but the next opportunity is quickly approaching.
Comet Pons-Brooks, with an orbital period of 71 years, is expected to pass perihelion on April 21, 2024, just two weeks after the total solar eclipse predicted for April 8 of the same year.
In the latter case, lucky observers within the eclipse's visibility range in North America will be able to catch a glimpse of the comet enchanting the sky.