How to view the Green Comet everyone is talking about? Don't miss your only chance to see and photograph it for the next 50,000 years
The luminous space rock 'Green Comet' named 'C/2022 E3 (ZTF)' is about to make its closest approach to Earth in 50,000 years.
The Green Comet C/2022 E3, as it has been so catchily titled, will approach the closest to Earth on February 2, 2023, according to NASA.
According to EarthSky, it will be about 0.29 AU (about 27 million miles) from Earth during the closest approach.
By the time the Green Comet is closest to Earth, it may get as bright as magnitude 5.
To photograph this green comet without the need for special astrophotography tools, the next two weeks could be your greatest chance.
If you want to try to photograph the comet, this week would be a good time, weather allowing, peaking around January 29th.
Because of the new moon, stars, planets, and of course, comets will all be more visible in the darker skies.
There won't be another chance for you to observe this specific comet because it won't happen for another 50,000 years.
Under dark skies, it's "just possible" that it will become visible to the naked eye.
Use binoculars or a small telescope to find Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), which has been passing through the morning skies all month, in the Northern Hemisphere, NASA's JPL tweeted on Friday.
Early in February, it will become visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
Of course, in order to see the comet, you'll need to find a dark sky area that is far from a city's light pollution.
After midnight in the Northern Hemisphere, it will be visible above the North Eastern horizon, according to F Stoppers.