If in the next month you look at the night sky and see a small light in the sky, do not be alarmed, the aliens have not landed.
A rare green comet is expected to pass Earth this week and will be visible in the night sky for about a month, according to NASA and astronomers.
This unflattering picture was found on the NASA website of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) which is shown by astronomers using a camera at the Zwicky Transiting Field Field Survey.
Dan Bartlett/NASA/AFP via Getty Images
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was discovered last March when it was already in Jupiter’s orbit. It is distinguished by a green glow.
NASA scientists said the comet is expected to make its closest approach to the sun, or perihelion, on Jan. 12 and appear in the Northern Hemisphere of the star. Those in the Southern Hemisphere will be able to see the comet in February.
“Comets are notoriously elusive, but if this one current trend in brightness continues, it will be easy to spot with binoculars, and possibly visible to the naked eye under a dark sky,” NASA wrote in its “What? Up” blog earlier this month.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will make its closest pass to Earth on February 2, 2023.
NASA
The comet will move across the horizon during January and will make its closest transit of Earth between February 1st. and Feb. 2, according to NASA. At that time the comet will be 26 million miles from the planet according to astronomers.
Comet Mars will be next in about a week according to the astronomy charts.
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