Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is visible to the naked eye for much of the night these days. It is currently crossing Taurus and will be visible near our neighbor Mars on the night of February 10-11. A pair of binoculars will be welcome to admire their meeting, high in the sky. Nicknamed comet ZTF, the icy star passed closest to Earth on the 1is FEBRUARY. The period is always favorable to observe it.
For nearly several weeks, the cometcomet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), alias comet ZTF, has exceeded the limit of visibility ateyeeye not (magnitudemagnitude 6) and shines at a magnitude close to 5, depending on the activity of its nucleus, hidden under the thick hazehaze which envelops it.
On January 12, the comet was at perihelion, the point of its orbitorbit closest to SoleilSoleil. Warmed in the central region of the Solar systemSolar system and from our neighborhood that it has not crossed for 50,000 years, it is transformed from the inside and on the surface before our eyes, with sometimes sudden eruptions which heighten its brilliance. Closely followed by many astrophotographers, comet ZTF sports a resplendent halo, its coma or hair, green and distinct tails. One more bluish, fine and extensive, gazgaz sublimated, and the other, more diluted and fan-shaped, made up of dust formerly trapped in its ice formed 4.6 billion years ago. In recent days, the comet also exhibited an “anti-tail” (see some photos). A tail which naturally should not exist, because it stretches in the direction of the Sun, which is not possible (this one drives out the matter expelled by the comet in the other direction). It is actually an optical effect produced by the fact that the Earth cuts the plane of the comet’s orbit around the Sun.
Comet ZTF is closest to Earth
From now on, comet ZTF is to be searched in the sky, following the duskdusk above the northern horizon. It gains height during the night and only disappears from the sky with the arrival of the Sun. This weekend of January 4 and 5, she is moving within the constellationconstellation circumpolar of the GiraffeGiraffe approaching the sparkling Capella in the Coachman. 1is February, the green comet was closest to Earth, regarding 42 million kilometers from our eyes.
We can admire it with the naked eye now but these days we have to deal with the very bright Moon. If you have a pair of binoculars, it will be easier for you to admire this star. diffusediffuse. By going out to watch it every evening, you will have the pleasure of contemplating its evolution with its ups and downs of activity.
The comet shines near Mars on February 11
Another beautiful and great moment awaits us with comet ZTF: its passage (visually speaking) near Mars, in Taurus, on February 11, followed three days later, on the evening of Valentine’s Day, by a visit to aldebaranaldebaran, the red eye of the bovid. Beautiful appointments in perspective for all lovers of celestial spectacles.
Article of Xavier DemeersmanXavier Demeersman published on January 12, 2023
Named C/2022 E3 (ZTF) and discovered 10 months ago, comet ZTF (for short) passes closest to the Sun on January 12. Its activity is regarding to peak and makes it almost visible to the naked eye. The conditions for its observation are more and more favorable as it approaches the Earth. A surprise show not to be missed in the beautiful nights ofwinterwinter. Here is all you need to know.
It is called C/2022 E3 (ZTF) and it has been 50,000 years since it passed through the inner Solar System and the vicinity of the Earth. This January 12, the comet is at perihelion, the point of its orbit closest to the Sun, at 164.7 million kilometers (1.1 astronomical unitastronomical unit or AU). This is a little more than the average distance between the Earth and the Sun.
Its journey through the hottest region of the Solar System is not without consequences for this “dirty snowball” whoseintegrityintegrity is jostled by the higher temperatures and the solar windsolar wind. All this transforms her and causes spectacular jerksjerks of activity including specialists and astronomersastronomers amateurs have been the witnesses for several weeks (photos above and below).
Many are confident that the comet will become visible to the naked eye any day now as it closes in on Earth. It’s the 1is next February that C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will reach the point of its orbit closest to our Planet. It will only be 0.28 AU, or a little less than 42 million kilometers. On January 12, its magnitude is 6.5 and is almost visible to the naked eye. Her brightnessbrightness might grow up to magnitude 5, which would make it easily discernible without an instrument. In the meantime, it is already possible to admire it in a simple pair of binoculars and of course through larger instruments (sunglasses, telescopetelescope). As always, comets can be full of surprises and their activity suddenly decreases or, on the contrary, intensifies more than expected. And C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is on track to deliver on those promises.
Where is comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)?
If C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is so called, it is because it was detected in March 2022 by the cameras of a wide field survey of the sky called ZTF, Zwicky Transient Facility. This January 12, you can catch her between the constellations of Hercules and Corona Borealis following 2 a.m. To see it at dusk you will have to wait a few days, around January 21. The comet emerges above the northeast horizon earlier and earlier as it migrates eastward.North StarNorth Starand the circumpolar constellations of the Dragon, the Little Dipper and finally the Giraffe, at the time of perigeeperigee (shortest distance from Earth). The comet will therefore soon be circumpolar, which means visible all night, circling around the North Star. Also note in your diaries, its visual rapprochement with Mars on February 11. It will be a magnificent meeting that astrophotographers will not miss.
