Newsnation published January 20, 2023: Green comet nears Earth for first time since Stone Age. This month, skygazers will be treated to a once-in-a-civilization sight: a green comet named C/2022 E3 (ZTF) approaching Earth.
Thoth published January 21, 2023: After 50,000 Years Rare Comet Returns To Earth. On Feb. 1, a bright-green comet named C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will make a close approach to Earth for the first time in 50,000 years. If you miss it now, you'll never see it again. It orbits the sun once every 50,000 years.
StargazerMan published January 20, 2023: Green comet ZTF last passed Earth 50,000 years ago. Here's all you need to know and how to find it.
Using the free program 'Stellarium', let's explore where it is and where it's heading over the next few weeks and months. Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF is a long period comet that last entered the Solar System around the time of the Neanderthals. It's currently brightening and visible in the Northern skies.
Space.com
written Brett Tingley
Monday January 24, 2023
Don't miss your chance to see this visitor from the outer reaches of our solar system as it prepares to make its closest approach to Earth.
Gorgeous green comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) should now be visible to the naked eye under the right dark sky conditions.
The comet is rapidly approaching perigee, its closest point to Earth, which is making it easier to spot in the night sky. The comet, first discovered in March 2022 by astronomers Frank Masci and Bryce Bolin using the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) at the Palomar Observatory in California, has been brightening since November, wowing astrophotographers with its brilliant green tail.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is currently making its way through the northern skies and should reach its brightest magnitude in early February, according to In-The-Sky.org(opens in new tab) as it approaches perigee on Feb. 1. To see the comet for yourself, look to the north just after sunset and look for a faint greenish glow. Under the right dark sky conditions, the comet could be visible to the unaided eye, but binoculars will certainly make the job easier.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is available for tracking in most major astronomy and sky tracking apps. Additionally, University of Toronto astrophysicist Hanno Rein has created a free app(opens in new tab) available on the Apple app store dedicated entirely to locating and tracking comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF).
As of Monday (Jan. 23), comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) appears close to the constellation Draco. The images below are courtesy of TheSkyLive.com
On Thursday (Jan. 26), the comet will appear just beside Ursa Minor, the "Little Bear" or "Little Dipper."
By Jan. 30, the comet will make its way east toward Camelopardalis, where it will appear when it reaches perigee on Feb. 1.
By Feb. 10, the comet will have moved significantly to the east and will appear close to Mars, which might make it easier to spot.
If conditions aren't right for late night or early morning skywatching in your area, you're still in luck: The Virtual Telescope Project will be hosting a free livestream of comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF). The stream begins on Feb. 1 at 11:00 p.m. EST (0400 GMT) and can be watched courtesy of the project's website(opens in new tab) or YouTube channel(opens in new tab).
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) has already put on quite a show for astrophotographers, leading to scores of breathtaking pictures of the gorgeously green comet. In January, strong solar winds caused part of the comet's tail to break off in what astronomers call a disconnection event.
More recently, SpaceWeather.com reported that comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) formed what is known as an "anti-tail," a phenomenon which causes a comet to appear to have a second, forward-facing tail. In reality, an anti-tail is an optical illusion caused when larger dust particles form a disk along the comet's orbit. As Earth passes through the comet's orbital plane, this dusty disk can be seen side-on, appearing as a reversed anti-tail.
Hoping to observe C/2022 E3 (ZTF)? Our guides on the best telescopes and best binoculars can help, as it doesn't take much magnification to see the comet as the month comes to a close. You can also check out our guides on how to view and photograph comets, as well our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography to get started.
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