A celestial guest has recently come back to visit the Earth. Well… Not really the Earth, but the Sun. Comet C/2022 E3 is the name given to this celestial object which will appear to be a naked eye comet and here’s all the details you need to know about the comet as well as how to spot it.
The Comet
The Green Comet discovered in March 2022 by the Zwicky Transient Facility is named C/2022 E3 (ZTF). It originated from the Oort’s cloud from the edge of our solar system, completing one orbit around the Sun every 50000 years. That means the last time the comet was close to the Earth, was the previous ice age.
Why is the Comet named C/2022 E3 ? Find out the comet naming conventions.
The comet completed its closest approach towards the Sun on 12th January 2023 and will be closest to Earth on 1st February 2023. During this time, it is expected to reach a magnitude of 5 (faintly visible to the naked eye).
In Astronomy the magnitude scale helps us identifies the brightness of a celestial objects. Smaller the Magnitude number, the brighter the object. Any celestial object, that has a magnitude 6 or lower, is believed to be faintly visible (depending upon clear sky conditions), while some of the brightest stars have magnitude less than 3.
Spot the Comet
Face the North and identify the 7-star-formation, the Big Dipper (shaped like a kite or a Ladle). Using the first two stars of Big Dipper, extend a line to locate the Polestar. The comet may be visible passing between the two constellations on the 30th of January. 2 days later, on the 1st of February 2030, slightly towards the North-west from this point, the comet will appear the brightest (Magnitude 5.4)
PAAC wishes you all clear skies and an opportunity to view this wonderful celestial guest.
Clear Skies
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