For astronomy enthusiasts, February 1 is marked in red on their calendars. The reason: it is not every day that there is a chance to see a green comet.
In fact, it is the first time in 50,000 years that C/2022 ZTF will return to the solar system. And it will be early next month when it will reach its closest position to Earth.
Specifically, the green comet ZTF will pass 42 million light years from our planet. Experts are not 100 percent sure whether it will be visible from the surface without the use of any instrument. However, if we have specific astronomy binoculars or telescopes, we will be able to see it without any problem.
As usually happens in these cases, the best places to observe the comet, this one or any other, are places with little artificial light. That is to say, we should move away from urban centres and it is preferable to do so in the hours before dawn.
Un cometa brillante, visto desde California.
Why is comet ZTF green?
Comet ZTF has a brightness and a colour that, although not unique, is clearly distinctive. Its hue is due to the fact that it is composed, among other materials, of diatomic carbon.
When it comes into contact with sunlight, the decomposition of this element causes the gas to acquire this spectacular colour.
Comet ZTF was discovered in March 2022
Un telescopio apunta al cielo.
Frank Masci and Bryce Bolin of the Palomar Observatory in California were responsible for spotting the striking comet ZTF in the sky. It is so named because its discovery is part of the Zwicky Transient Facility surveillance programme, which uses the powerful Schmidt telescope at the facility.
Initially, the scientists responsible for the discovery thought it was an asteroid, but they quickly realised that this was not the case. Despite the striking colour of this comet, experts advise keeping expectations low. In any case, it is an event that has aroused great interest in the community.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiVmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1hcmNhLmNvbS9lbi9saWZlc3R5bGUvd29ybGQtbmV3cy8yMDIzLzAxLzI1LzYzZDE1ZGIyNDYxNjNmOWIxMjhiNDViMS5odG1s0gFWaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAubWFyY2EuY29tL2VuL2xpZmVzdHlsZS93b3JsZC1uZXdzLzIwMjMvMDEvMjUvNjNkMTVkYjI0NjE2M2Y5YjEyOGI0NWIxLmh0bWw?oc=5
2023-01-25 16:54:20Z
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