A comet by the name of C/2022 E3 (ZTF) or more commonly known as the ‘Green Comet’ is set to light up Australia’s skies in early February.
Over the next couple of weeks, our sky’s will be turning green with the presence of this comet which hasn’t visited our skies since the Stone Age around 50,000 years ago.
The comet has been visible in the Northern Hemisphere for some time now but here’s what you need to know to see if from home.
BREAKING
— Latest in space (@latestinspace) January 18, 2023: Rare green comet will pass by Earth for the first time in 50,000 years on February 1 pic.twitter.com/TRdcgPx2y7
NASA say that the comet will be closest to Earth on February 2nd before heading back out into space.
Update: The comet will be visible across Australian skies from the 2nd of Feb in the northern parts of the country such as Darwin and parts of North Queensland, before heading to Brisbane on the 4th of Feb before the southern parts of the country in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney/Canberra, Melbourne and Hobart all will get their first glimpse on the 6th of Feb.
Leading astronomers say that the best viewing time will be approximately an hour after sunset and to look to the northern parts of our skies.
According to reports, we will also have another great chance to view the comet on the 11th of Feb when the comet will be right next to Mars which will give us an incredible spectacle with the ‘Green Comet’ being parked right next to the red planet.
Let’s hope it gives us a good show because the comet’s orbit takes around 50,000 years to complete so we won’t see it again in our lifetimes.
Here’s my first effort at capturing the “Green Comet”, Comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF). This was a particular challenge due to humid conditions and clouds, but I’m thrilled I was able to capture it at all! pic.twitter.com/t2VGEnfKX8
— Andrew McCarthy (@AJamesMcCarthy) January 19, 2023
Some scientists have also suggested that this may be the last time that it ever passes earth with a ‘quirk’ in it’s flight path suggesting that it could be heading into deep space.
