Here’s how to see this amazing display that hasn’t been seen since Neanderthals walked the Earth.
A rare comet will pass over Metro Vancouver for the first time in 50,000 years, or since Neanderthals walked the Earth.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was first discovered in March 2022 by astronomers when it was “already within the orbit of Jupiter,” according to NASA.
Marley Leacock, an astronomer at the HR MacMillan Space Center, told Vancouver Is Awesome that scientists spotted the celestial object using the Wide Field Camera at the Zwicky Transient Facility at the Palomar Observatory in California.
Because the comet takes approximately 50,000 years to orbit the sun, “and based on its orbital parameters, it has been classified as a hyperbolic comet,” he explained.
This means that the comet probably originated in the Oort cloud and this could be the last time it appears in our solar system.
“By definition, a hyperbolic orbit means that the object will only enter the Solar System once, so Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) may leave our Solar System entirely,” he clarified.
The comet also has a “gorgeous green” color that can be seen with the naked eye, according to space.com.
NASA’s Rare Green Comet Viewing Tips for 2023 in Metro Vancouver
While Metro Vancouverites can spot the comet with the naked eye, it’s a good idea to bring binoculars with apertures of 40 to 50 mm or a small telescope if you want to be able to make out the details, Leacock advised.
“If you observe it without a telescope or binoculars, it will most likely look like a faint smudge in the sky. Note that the moon is also high that night, which can also prevent viewing. Try to keep your back to it. .”
The “green comet” is expected to reach about “magnitude 6 or brighter at closest approach,” which is the faintest it can be seen with the naked eye. Your best bet to see it is to go to a dark-sky spot outside the city, Leacock explained.
The celestial body will make its closest approach on February 1 in Metro Vancouver and will be visible all night. Since the sun will set around 5pm, it will be in the northern sky.
“The comet will be pretty close to the north celestial pole, so using Polaris as a marker and looking around that area is a good start,” he said. “At sunset, if you hold out your fist and line up the bottom with the horizon, the comet will be five of those high and to the right of Polaris.”
It will be maximum in the sky between 9 and 10 at night, where it will be located approximately two “fists” above Polaris.