A green comet, dubbed C/2022 E3 (ZTF), is expected to make its closest approach to our planet on February 13. Here is how you can view the comet.
C/2022 E3 (ZTF) made its closest approach to Earth on February 2, when it will come within 0.28 astronomical units of our planet, or about 41 kilometres away.
The comet was at its highest point of the sky on February 12, when it was situated at about 45-degrees above the northern horizon. While you can possibly view the comet with your naked eye.
C/2022 E3 ZTF is closest to Earth on Feb. 2, but is most visible to the Northern Hemisphere. If you have a telescope or powerful binoculars, look for it in the north morning sky near Polaris/North Star, NASA said.
Tips: Ideally, try to get yourself away from the city lights in a quite and dark place where you can observe the comet away from the light pollution of the city
According to NASA, the comet visited Earth during Neanderthal times. It will come within 26 million miles (42 million kilometres) of Earth on Wednesday before speeding away again, unlikely to return for millions of years.
According to Space.com, the orbital period of the comet was determined to be around 50,000 years. This means that it will be making its first approach to Earth in 50,000 years next month.