Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) could be visible in dark skies with the naked eye if it continues to brighten. NASA explains how to see it.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
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TechTranscript
00:00A recently discovered comet is now passing through the inner solar system and should
00:05be visible with a telescope and likely with binoculars. The comet, which has a mouthful
00:11of a name, C2022E3ZTF, was first sighted in March last year when it was already inside
00:18the orbit of Jupiter. It makes its closest approach to the Sun on January 12th and then
00:23passes its closest to Earth on February 2nd. Comets are notoriously unpredictable, but
00:29if this one continues its current trend in brightness, it'll be easy to spot with
00:33binoculars, and it's just possible it could become visible to the unaided eye under dark skies.
00:39Observers in the northern hemisphere will find the comet in the morning sky as it moves swiftly
00:43toward the northwest during January. It'll become visible in the southern hemisphere in early
00:48February. This comet isn't expected to be quite the spectacle that comet NEOWISE was back
00:53in 2020, but it's still an awesome opportunity to make a personal connection with an icy visitor
00:59from the distant outer solar system.