So you can see comet C/2022 E3, which visits Earth after 50,000 years


In March of last year, the telescopes of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) project, in the United States, detected a celestial body in the confines of the solar system that was increasing its brightness more and more. The astronomers determined that it is a comet that this 2023 will visit our cosmic neighborhood after 50,000 years.

This comet, named C/2022 E3 (ZTF), is now in the inner solar system. According to information from NASA, the object will have its closest approach to the Sun (perihelion) on January 12, and then will approach Earth (perigee) between February 1 and 2.

The last humans who could have seen it were homo sapiens and Neanderthals who lived in Eurasia during the last glacial period or Ice Age.

Currently, C/2022 E3 can be detected in the night sky with small telescopes and binoculars. However, if it continues to shine with the same intensity, it could become a visible object naked eye when it approaches our planet.

From where can the comet be observed?

In January, comet C/2022 E3 is visible in the skies of the northern hemisphere and at equatorial latitudes (for example, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru).

In February, the celestial body will also be visible from the rest of the southern hemisphere, making it an astronomical phenomenon of global scope.

How to see comet C/2022 E3

Currently, the comet appears in the pre-dawn hours. It can be located in a northeasterly direction, between the constellations Corona Borealis and Hercules. As the days go by, it will move north. To capture it during January, it will be necessary to use one of the observation instruments already mentioned.

Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF in the first week of January before sunrise. Image: Stellarium

In February, when it makes its perigee, the C/2022 E3 will appear in the early evening, ideally an hour after sunset. It could be located —possibly with the naked eye— on the north, between the constellations Lynx and Giraffe (Camelopardalis). Then it will ascend towards the constellation Auriga.

comet february

Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF in early February, in the early evening. Image: Stellarium

To try to capture it with the naked eye, it will be necessary to be in a place free from light pollutionso that the sky appears as dark as possible.

When will be the best time to see it?

Although Comet C/2022 E3 comes closest on February 1-2, the near-full moon will be above the horizon during the observing period, dimming the space object’s faint glow. Therefore, the best moments to capture it will be before and after those dates.

  • January 20 and 21: The new moon will allow for a dark sky, as long as there is no light pollution on the surface.
  • February 6 and 7: the waning moon will appear after the comet observation period.

Source-larepublica.pe