If you’re looking at the sky next month and see a little green light in the sky, don’t panic. Aliens have not landed.
A rare green comet is expected to pass by Earth this week and be visible in the night sky for nearly a month, according to NASA and astronomers.
A handout photo obtained from NASA’s website shows comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) as discovered by astronomers using the Zwicky Transient Facility’s Wide Field Survey Camera.
Dan Bartlett/NASA/AFP via Getty Images
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was discovered last March and was already in Jupiter’s orbit. It features a green glow.
NASA scientists said the comet is expected to make its closest approach to the Sun or perihelion on January 12, making it visible to northern hemisphere stargazers. People in the southern hemisphere should be able to see the comet in February.
“Comets are notoriously difficult to predict, but if current brightness trends continue, they could be easily spotted with binoculars and visible to the naked eye under dark skies.” NASA writes. “how are you” Blog from earlier this month.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will make its closest approach to Earth on February 2, 2023.
NASA
According to NASA, the comet will move northwest over the horizon during January and make its closest approach to Earth between February 1 and 2. Meanwhile, the comet is her 26 million miles away from the planet, according to astronomers.
According to astronomical charts, the comet will approach Mars in about a week.
