Rare, Green Comet To Make An Appearance Starting This Week
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Starting January 12, 2023, stargazers will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a rare comet with a greenish hue. Astronomers discovered Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in March 2022 when it was inside Jupiter's orbit. NASA scientists believe this may be the comet's first sighting. If the icy body did pass our planet previously, it was probably thousands of years ago.
"If C/2022 E3 has ever passed through the solar system before, it would have last been seen in the sky more than 10,000 years ago," says Jon Giorgini, a senior analyst at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
The icy celestial body is expected to reach its closest proximity to the Sun on January 12, 2023. When comets come this close to the Sun, their ice turns into gas. The temporary atmosphere causes a glow that can sometimes be seen from Earth.
C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will be visible through binoculars in the morning sky in the Northern Hemisphere during most of January. Those in the Southern Hemisphere will have to wait until February 1, 2023. That's when the comet will make its closest approach to Earth, at 28 million miles (45 million kilometers) away. At that point, C/2022 E3 (ZTF) may even be visible to the unaided eye from an area with dark, clear skies.
Since the comet's path is still being tracked, scientists are unsure where it will go after visiting Earth. C/2022 E3 (ZTF) could gain momentum and fling out of the solar system. It could also remain bound to its elliptical orbit and make another trip around the Sun.
Happy stargazing! Be sure to share your experience with us by writing your comments below.
Resources: NPR.com, NASA.gov, Livescience.com
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90 Comments
muzicqueen8 daysamazing, i wonder... when will it come again?
liamr63477 daysgood question
theartistloph8 daysSince the comet could have past 10,000 years ago. Could this have been the green flash of light the leader of the Aztecs saw before the Europeans arrived?
doge20216 daysGood idea- fidejahihymi8 daysnice theory
- therandomdood9 daysthese things must be very rare to be coming around about every 10,000 years. and there is a chance that this comet is coming around earth for the first time so this is pretty cool.
- jpdeluna19191919 daysit's so prity
fypataho-16269357459810 daysOMG! So amazing!✨😃
eddieg267010 daysI love space so I am going to see it
crosgoat10 daysthat is really cool!
duby310 daysthis is super cool so ready for Feb 1st thanks!!!
gogo110 daysThat was amazing!!!!! So cool!!!!!!
guldsisaaco0010 daysinsane so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!