Rare Green Comet To Pass By Earth After Nearly 50,000 Years, Here's What You Need To Know

After a 50,000-year hiatus, a rare bright comet is making its way back to Earth. All stargazers can catch a glimpse of the bright comet as it approaches the Earth on Wednesday and Thursday next week.

Rare green comet will pass by earth next week

Here¡¯s my first effort at capturing the ¡°Green Comet¡±, Comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF). This was a particular challenge due to humid conditions and clouds, but I¡¯m thrilled I was able to capture it at all! pic.twitter.com/t2VGEnfKX8

¡ª Andrew McCarthy (@AJamesMcCarthy) January 19, 2023

A comet is a celestial phenomenon composed of an ice and dust nucleus and, when close to the sun, a "tail" of gas and dust particles heading away from the sun.

We're all aware that it appears as a blaze of white in the night sky. But have you ever seen a green one? Now it's official. And it hasn't happened in 50,000 years... until now.

C/2022 E3 had not passed close to Earth in 50,000 years. However, it will soon be visible to the naked eye. What will the comet's distance from Earth be? The unique comet will fly by the globe at a distance of 2.5 light minutes, or 27 million miles.

The Neanderthals are thought to be the last species to have seen it. Those wishing to see the bright object will most likely be able to do so on Wednesday or Thursday next week.

The Comet is travelling a considerable distance

See The ¡®Green Comet¡¯ Close To The Big Dipper After Sunset This Weekend https://t.co/tYtHH6lEDa pic.twitter.com/F1VZnoUgi9

¡ª Forbes (@Forbes) January 26, 2023

According to astronomers, the E3 comet will fly by our planet at a distance of 2.5 light minutes, or 27 million miles. E3 is travelling a considerable distance from the Oort cloud, which is a massive disc of debris that surrounds our solar system.

The comet's nucleus emits a vivid green glow due to the action of sunlight on its molecules, particularly diatomic carbon and cyanogen. On March 2, last year, astronomers Frank Masci and Bryce Bolin discovered it using the Zwicky Transient Facility.

Visibility is only possible with binoculars and telescopes. "While this comet isn't projected to be as spectacular as Comet Neowise was in 2020, it's still an incredible opportunity to create a personal connection with an icy visitor from the distant outer Solar System," NASA said in a statement.

How can you watch this comet?

To watch the comet, you will have to look toward the north. The comet will be near Draco, the dragon-shaped constellation that lies between the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper.

After January 21, the night of the new moon, you will see the darkest skies. The comet will follow the dragon's tail for several nights.

On January 30, the comet will be directly between the "cup" of the Big Dipper and Polaris, the North Star. If you're used to finding the North Star by following the two stars at the tip of the Big Dipper's cup, you should be able to find the comet as well.

Scanning that imaginary line until you notice a slight smear will suffice. If you're having trouble seeing the comet, it could be because it's still too weak or there's too much light pollution. Try with a binoculars.

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.