Ambitious star gazers will get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a rare green comet tonight.
The comet, known as C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was last seen from earth roughly 50,000 years ago. It will fly within 45 million kilometres close to the earth. Due to its age, it is likely that the comet was last seen during the Stone Age when Neanderthals still roamed the planet.
The icy ball will emit a green glow in the sky due to ultraviolet radiation from the sun lighting up the gases surrounding its surface.
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Dr Greg Brown, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told said: “Long-period comet C/2022 E3 is currently speeding through the solar system and won’t return for at least 50,000 years, assuming it ever does, so it’s your once-in-a-lifetime chance to see it. Its path across our sky is taking it through the constellation of Draco the dragon and will be passing between the two bears, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, in late January and into early February.”
How to spot the comet
In some cases, you may be able to spot the comet with the naked eye - especially if you're in an area with little to no light pollution. However, it still may be a good idea to grab some equipment to help.
Dr Brown added: "While it may yet become possible to see it with the unaided eye from an extremely dark site, you are much better off pointing a pair of binoculars or a small telescope at it.
“For observers in the UK, head out after midnight when the comet will be highest in the sky and try and find the faint greenish light coming from it. Easiest to see will be the brighter head of the comet, but, if you are lucky, you may spot one of its two tails sweeping out from it, each made of material being jettisoned from its rapidly warming icy surface.”
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