Look to the skies! How to view the green comet as it makes its closest approach to earth
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was first spotted by the Zqicky Transient Facility back in March of 2022, and soon it will make its closest approach to Earth, but you'll likely need some help finding it
Updated: 12:18 PM EST Jan 26, 2023
The green comet, known as C/2022 E3 (ZTF), was first discovered by astronomers using a wide-field survey camera at the Zwicky Transient Facility. This long-period comet has an orbital period of 50,000 years, meaning the last time it passed close to Earth was during the Stone Age. Since its discovery last year, NASA astronomers say it has brightened substantially and is now sweeping across the northern sky. However, despite its brightening trend, viewing conditions on Earth may still be difficult without the aid of binoculars or a telescope under a dark sky.During comet ZTF's journey, it was at its closest point to the sun on Jan. 12, and on Feb. 1, it will be at its "closest" point to Earth, being only 45 million kilometers away, or about 120 times the distance between the Earth and Moon. For anyone wanting to view ZTF, it is currently moving through the north-northwest sky about 45 degrees above the horizon near Ursae Majoris, aka the Big Dipper, and will be at its brightest on Feb. 1. For those within the city, viewing conditions could still be difficult with binoculars, so it's best to get away from city lights to areas with less light pollution.
The green comet, known as C/2022 E3 (ZTF), was first discovered by astronomers using a wide-field survey camera at the Zwicky Transient Facility. This long-period comet has an orbital period of 50,000 years, meaning the last time it passed close to Earth was during the Stone Age.
Since its discovery last year, NASA astronomers say it has brightened substantially and is now sweeping across the northern sky. However, despite its brightening trend, viewing conditions on Earth may still be difficult without the aid of binoculars or a telescope under a dark sky.
During comet ZTF's journey, it was at its closest point to the sun on Jan. 12, and on Feb. 1, it will be at its "closest" point to Earth, being only 45 million kilometers away, or about 120 times the distance between the Earth and Moon.
For anyone wanting to view ZTF, it is currently moving through the north-northwest sky about 45 degrees above the horizon near Ursae Majoris, aka the Big Dipper, and will be at its brightest on Feb. 1. For those within the city, viewing conditions could still be difficult with binoculars, so it's best to get away from city lights to areas with less light pollution.
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