A Rare Green Comet Is Passing by Earth: Here's When and How to Spot It
Trust us, you are not going to want to miss this!
Remember that rare green comet that was spottable from Earth on Jan. 12 for the first time in approximately 50,000 years? Well, fortunately for stargazers, it's making its way toward our planet and will be viewable once again!
With an orbital period that large, the comet — scientifically named C/2022 E3 (ZTF), according to NASA — won't likely be spotted by Earthlings after this month! In fact, the last time this specific comet voyaged through the inner solar system was reported during the Upper Paleolithic or Old Stone Age.
Therefore, if you'd like something in common with Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, you're going to want to head outside and point your eyes to the night sky. Furthermore, C/2022 E3 has an enticing draw in comparison to other comets.
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Although evidently composed primarily of frozen gases that heated up and brightened as it headed toward the sun, recent photographs showcased this comet with an appearance far more exciting than that description: it had a distinct greenish color trailed by two tails!
The comet was first discovered by astronomers using the wide-field survey camera at the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) in early March last year. The long-period comet has brightened since then, allowing telescope users to detect its unique hue.
Now, as C/2022 E3 makes its way towards perigee (its closest point to Earth) on Feb. 1, keep scrolling for when and how to catch a glimpse.
When was Comet C/2022 E3 discovered?
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Comet C/2022 E3 was first discovered by the Zwicky Transient Facility, a public-private partnership aimed at a systematic study of the optical night sky. The ZTF scans the entire Northern sky every two days using a camera with an extremely wide-field view.
In March 2022, C/2022 E3 was detected — but interestingly, the comet was originally identified as an asteroid. Ultimately, its true cometary nature was detected due to its rapid brightening as it moved from the inner orbit of Jupiter through the Solar System.
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When will Comet C/2022 E3 be viewable from Earth?
Comet C/2022 E3 was first viewable from Earth when it reached perihelion (its closest point to the Sun) on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. Now, stargazers should point their eyes to the sky again as it reaches perigee (its closest point to the Earth) on Wednesday, Feb. 1 — and the days that follow, as it heads back into the galaxy.
When the comet nears the bright star Capella in the Auriga constellation, it should be viewable from Earth on Sunday Feb. 5. When it makes its way near Mars in the Taurus constellation, it should be spottable between Feb. 9 and Feb. 13, according to Space.com.
Where will Comet C/2022 E3 appear in the sky?
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The Comet C/2022 E3 has been passing through the northern constellation Corona Borealis since first being discovered, according to NASA — but as it made its way closer to the Sun, NASA noted it would move northwest throughout January. As for the Southern Hemisphere, the comet would become visible for skywatchers in early February 2023, as it continued its voyage towards Earth.
Tonight, the comet is expected to be viewable with the naked eye as it reaches its closet point to Earth (despite its "closest point" being around 26 million miles from our planet). Although, its brightness is unpredictable — therefore, binoculars and telescopes are suggested to better guarantee a glimpse of the fantastic phenomenon.
Don't have the proper equipment? Have no fear! The Virtual Telescope Project will be hosting a free livestream of the display at 11:00 p.m. EST on Feb. 1 on the project's website or on its YouTube channel.
What will Comet C/2022 E3 look like?
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Although recent photographs pictured Comet C/2022 E3 with a distinct greenish color and two tails, don't expect to see the same with simply the naked eye. Those were long-exposure images, meaning the color and notable tail captured by the camera is deceptive to the naked eye.
If spotted, the comet is expected to take on a circular cloud-like shape with a brighter center and a faint dust tail — in comparison to other comets, which tend to be brighter and more elongated. But, just like any celestial spectacle, the moon plays a large role in the comet's visibility.
Since the moon was in its full phase on Jan. 7, its illumination (and cloudy conditions) hindered views of the comet last month — but since it entered its new moon phase on Jan. 21, ideal dark skies needed to spot C/2022 E3 are expected to be provided.
