The year 2023 will be marked by a single event, the flyby of a comet that will occur early next year. This comet, named C/2022 E3 (ZTF), was discovered in March 2022 by the Zwicky Transient Facility in California.
According to the estimates of the NASAthe comet, whose luminosity has increased considerably, will be at perihelion, that is to say closest to the Sun, on January 12 and closest to our planet on February 1.
A comet that flies past Earth every 50,000 years
Although the comet is getting closer, it is still difficult to spot without a telescope. However, on December 19, astronomers managed to snap photos of the greenish comet sweeping across the night sky.
Apart from its recent discovery, the particularity of this comet is its surprisingly long orbital period. Jessica Lee, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, said it orbits the sun once every 50,000 years.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is approaching. It is currently visible with a telescope, in the constellation of the boreal crown, in the early morning. It may be visible to the naked eye in a few weeks, but only for people away from light pollution https://t.co/fpkiC8gs6E pic.twitter.com/LezzqY2x1E
— Eric Lagadec (@EricLagadec) December 24, 2022
Last visible in Neanderthal times
This means that the comet must have come closest to Earth when Neanderthals, the first human species, still roamed the planet. Neanderthals are said to have died out around 30,000 years ago.
During its next pass, comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will be approximately 42 million kilometers from Earth. Moreover, it will be heading towards Earth at a speed of more than 2,000 kilometers per hour.
C/2022 E3 (ZTF) 2022 dec 28 4.30 UT 25x100sec 12″/4 Nikon Z6mod Michael Jäger pic.twitter.com/znxHNlZGe6
— Michael Jäger (@Komet123Jager) December 28, 2022
The perfect opportunity to observe an icy visitor
“Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is observable with binoculars or a small telescope in the sky just before dawn for northern hemisphere observers. It will move rapidly across the northern sky during the month,” said declared at NASA.
The agency said you can also check your favorite sky-watching app to get an accurate idea of the comet’s position in the sky as it passes. The comet is currently passing through the northern constellation Corona Borealis and could be spotted using binoculars and powerful telescopes.
“This comet probably won’t put on the same spectacle as Comet NEOWISE in 2020. But it’s still a great opportunity to observe an icy visitor from the outer solar system,” NASA said.