Researchers from the University of York in Toronto say the celestial body C/2022 E3, discovered last year by astronomers in California, will be closest to Earth on February 1 at 1:11 p.m.
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This rare comet, distinguishable by its greenish hue, will still be around 42 kilometers from Earth and people will likely need binoculars or a small telescope to see it, according to York University researchers.
This text is a translation of an article from CTV News.
The latter mention that the last time this comet flew past the Earth was around 50,000 years ago. It is also possible that she will never come back.
“It will pass the small constellation of Corona Borealis just before sunrise in Toronto on February 1,” Elaina Hyde, an assistant professor at York University, said in a statement.
Ms. Hyde said the Allan I. Carswell Observatory plans to view the comet through its one-meter telescope, said to be the largest telescope on a Canadian university campus.
Assistant Professor Sarah Rughmeimer, who also works at the Observatory, explains that the chances of seeing the comet will depend on the level of pollution depending on the sector and whether the sky is clear.
“Right now you need good binoculars or a small telescope to see this comet, but towards the end of the month it may be possible to see it with the naked eye.”