{"id":23270,"date":"2023-02-01T17:55:21","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T16:55:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sciencefocus.com\/?p=136319"},"modified":"2023-02-01T18:35:42","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T17:35:42","slug":"green-comet-uk-how-to-see-the-once-in-a-lifetime-space-spectacle-tonight","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/rss_feed\/green-comet-uk-how-to-see-the-once-in-a-lifetime-space-spectacle-tonight\/","title":{"rendered":"Green comet UK: How to see the once-in-a-lifetime space spectacle tonight"},"content":{"rendered":"

Comet C\/2022 E3 (ZTF) will be visible for the first time in 50,000 years. <\/p>

By Thomas Ling\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 01 February 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Last seen in our skies 50,000 years ago, green Comet C\/2022 E3 (ZTF) is set to return to Earth tonight.<\/p>\n

While it has been visible with the help of binoculars since the start of the month<\/a>, Comet E3 reaches its closest point to our planet tonight, passing within 42 million kilometres. It will never be seen this close again in our lifetime.<\/p>\n

While the comet sounds like a celestial spectacle you won\u2019t want to miss this evening, a bright Moon will make visibility difficult. But not impossible \u2013 if you know how.<\/p>\n

With the help of Dr Darren Baskill<\/a>, astronomer lecturer at the University of Sussex, we explain exactly when Comet E3 can be seen in the northern hemisphere, where it can be spotted and what it actually looks like.<\/p>\n

Plus, if you want to make the most of the night sky this year, check out our\u00a0meteor shower calendar<\/a>, astronomy for beginners guide<\/a>\u00a0and UK full Moon calendar<\/a>\u00a0to make the most of the night sky.<\/p>\n

When can I see the green Comet E3 tonight in the UK?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the UK, the best time to see the comet is between 5.30am and 6.30am<\/strong> on 2 February 2023.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring this period, the bright Moon \u2013 which largely washes out the comet in the sky \u2013 will set, and the Sun won\u2019t be up yet,\u201d explains Baskill.<\/p>\n

He adds: \u201cThe Moon is in its waxing gibbous phase at the moment, thus very bright. Trying to view Comet E3 while the Moon is in the sky will be difficult, especially in a humid spot like the UK. In a damp climate, there\u2019s always a bit of haze that reflects moonlight and drowns out the view of faint objects.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, don\u2019t worry if you can\u2019t see the comet during this period. It may still appear in the night sky for another week.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt may be better to try and see the comet this weekend instead,\u201d says Baskill. \u201cThe Moon will not be as bright and is less likely to spoil the view!\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Where do I need to look to see Comet E3?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This depends on when you\u2019re looking. If you are trying to see the comet early on 2 February 2023, the comet can be found just to the right of the plough<\/a> (or big dipper), which will appear in the shape of a saucepan in the night sky.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be quite low in the sky \u2013 about 34 degrees high, fairly close to the horizon in the north,\u201d says Baskill. \u201cBe warned: it likely won\u2019t be as bright as you imagine!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Comet C\/2022 E3 (ZTF) pictured in the sky above the Mojave National Preserve in San Bernadino County as it approaches Earth for the first time in about 50,000 years on January 31, 2023 near Baker, California. \u00a9 Ethan Miller\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re struggling to find this point in the sky, we recommend using an app such as Skylite (available for free on\u00a0Android<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Apple<\/a> devices) \u2013 see other available apps in our best astronomy apps<\/a> guide.<\/p>\n

On the night of 5 February, the comet can be found by the star Capella, in the northern constellation of Auriga.<\/p>\n

And on 10 February, the comet will pass the planet Mars<\/a>. \u201cLook for a bright red object in the sky with your binoculars and you\u2019ll see it nearby!\u201d says Baskill.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Darren Baskill<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Do I need a telescope or binoculars to see Comet E3?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Comet E3 has a brightness magnitude of +6, which means it should technically be visible to the human eye. However, the brightness of the Moon will make it harder to see.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat means you need a telescope or binoculars \u2013 but nothing too fancy,\u201d says Baskill.<\/p>\n

He adds: \u201cThe good thing about the Moon being so bright is that your back garden is as good as anywhere to see the comet. That\u2019s because even if you went in the middle of a country park away from the light pollution of the city, the moonlight would still be the biggest visibility problem.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n