The latest appearance of the 'devil comet' will also occur simultaneously with the total solar eclipse in North America on 8 April and should be visible in the sky during the event.
Comets are made up of dust, frozen gases, ice and rocks bound together following the formation of the solar system and a rare and massive one with a devilish nickname (originally spotted in 1812) is set to pass by Earth for the first time in 71 years - and it should be visible during the highly anticipated 8 April total solar eclipse, says to NASA.
Officially named comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, the cryovolcanic comet is known as the 'devil comet' due to its formation of two 'horns' made up of ice and gas and periodic explosions.
The devil comet is heading for its next perihelion passage, when it will reach its closest point to the sun and shine the brightest, on 21 April, according to NASA. The agency says this astronomical event coincides with the total solar eclipse in North America, which will shadow parts of the United States from Texas to Maine when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth.
In the abrupt absence of sunlight during totality, NASA says skywatchers will have a view of the vast sky, dark enough to observe stars, planets and perhaps 12P/Pons-Brooks as it zips through the solar system.
"Comet 12P's April 21 perihelion passage will be only two weeks after the April 8 total solar eclipse, putting the comet in planet Earth's sky along with a totally eclipsed sun," the agency said.