For the first time in 50,000 years, a green comet that was recently identified will soon zoom by Earth. Its last appearance in the night sky occurred during the Stone Age.
The comet was discovered on March 2, 2022, by astronomers using the wide-field survey camera of the Zwicky Transient Facility at the Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California. NASA stated that the comet was closest to the sun on January 12.
According to The Planetary Society, the comet with the designation C/2022 E3 (ZTF) has an orbit around the sun that travels through the outer regions of the solar system, which explains why it has taken a longer period of time for it to pass by Earth once more.
According to EarthSky, the ice cosmic object will pass by Earth at its closest point between February 1 and February 2, around 26 million miles to 27 million miles (42 million kilometers to 44 million kilometers) away.
Observers will be able to see the comet as a dim green smudge close to the bright star Polaris, popularly known as the North Star, as it approaches Earth. Comets reflect different colors of light due to their current positions in orbit and chemical compositions.
Early morning skies, once the moon has set after midnight for those in the Northern Hemisphere, are optimal for viewing the comet.
The comet’s streaking tails of dust and charged particles, as well as the glowing green coma that surrounds it, can be used to distinguish it from stars.
According to EarthSky, the comet will make its closest approach to Mars on February 10 after passing by earth.
Author- Roberta Appiah
