Get ready for the celestial event: Green Comet
The rare green comet that last came to Earth about 50,000
years ago has returned to the skies of Earth. C/2022 E3 (ZTF) can be seen with
the naked eye if the conditions in the sky are just right. The comet will reach
its highest magnitude as it gets closest to the planet in its orbit.
The comet, recently went close to the Sun, completing its
over 50,000-year-long orbit. The last time it came this close to Earth, modern
humans were yet to be fully evolved and Neanderthals roamed the planet. The
comet has already amazed stargazers and astrophotographers with its unique
greenish tinge and long tail.
What is Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)?
Comet
C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was first discovered in March last year by the wide-field
survey camera at the Zwicky Transient Facility when it was already inside the
orbit of Jupiter. While it was initially believed to be an asteroid, it began
developing a tail as the Sun's influence began vapourising the ice. At the time
of its discovery, it was shining with a magnitude of 17.3.
Comets
consist mostly of ice coated with dark organic material. They are referred to
as dirty snowballs and may yield important clues about the formation of our
solar system. NASA said that Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is now sweeping through
stars near the northern boundary of the constellation Bootes. It is outward
bound but still growing brighter.
Is the green comet visible?
Comet
C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is now visible in several parts of the world, thanks to its
close approach and the rise in magnitude. The comet no longer requires a
telescope for viewing and can be seen with the naked eye in countries like
Spain with little light pollution and clear skies.
According to NASA, Comet ZTF will make its closest approach
on February 2, coming to within about 2.4 light-minutes of our planet.
"Its faint ion tail has been buffeted by recent solar activity. This
visitor from the distant Oort cloud rounded the Sun on January 12," NASA
said in a statement.
The
comet will be visible in the skies above India in several parts of the country,
including in Ladakh, and eastern India. The Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle
had captured the comet while it was in transit. Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was
photographed by astronomers using the Himalayan Chandra Telescope, which is
operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru.
At its closest, Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will be just 42 million
kilometers away from Earth. The next time it comes this close to Earth, our
entire species might have fully evolved into something else or maybe even
become interplanetary settled in colonies on Mars and the Moon.
The comet is
estimated to come closest to Earth around February 2.
NASA has said the comet could be visible with telescopes and binoculars, and might even be visible to the naked eye under a clear night sky.
