Austin, Texas (Kanzan) — This month, astronomers are treated to a once-in-a-civilization spectacle: a green comet named C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is approaching Earth.
The comet, which last passed through the solar system 50,000 years ago, will reach perihelion (or the closest point to the Sun) on January 12, bringing it within 100 million miles of the Sun. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
On February 2nd, the comet will be only about 26 million miles away from Earth. This is the closest period from the Upper Paleolithic, the period in human history when Homo sapiens are thought to have left Africa and settled in Asia and Europe.
Roughly speaking, Neanderthals were still walking on Earth the last time the comet passed.
What does Comet E3 look like?
According to NASA, it’s difficult to predict the comet’s brightness. NASA said it should be visible to the naked eye if it keeps getting brighter. It will also be bright green.
NASA said in the northern hemisphere the comet will be visible in the morning to the northwest. In February, it will move below the horizon and become visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
Viewers may be able to see the comet with the naked eye, but binoculars or a telescope are your best bet.
How was Comet E3 discovered?
Comet E3 was first discovered near Jupiter in March 2022 by astronomers Bryce Bolin and Frank Masch at the Zwicky Transient Facility. It was originally thought to be an asteroid, according to Space.com.
It got brighter as it got closer to the sun. Comets do this because the heat of the Sun expels frozen dust and gas below the surface. Sunlight reflects off these gases, giving them the appearance of a tail.
The comet is named after the location (ZTF) and the year (2022) where it was discovered. It was named E, her fifth letter in the alphabet, because it was the first half of her March, her fifth “half moon” of the year, that was discovered. Finally, in that half-moon, her third object was discovered, hence the name “E3.”
What were humans doing when C/2022 E3 last passed through?
According to data released by NASA’s JPL, it has been 18,930,412 days since the comet last orbited. At that time, Homo erectus, the predecessor of Homo sapiens, and Neanderthals used stone tools.
Several settlements were believed to have existed in the valley. The first edged weapons were invented, as were the fishing hook and rope.
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