Skip to main content

Business

Exotic green comet not seen since stone age returns to skies above Earth

 


A rare and dazzling celestial visitor is making its way through Earth’s night sky for the first time in roughly 50,000 years. The exotic green comet, officially known as C/2022 E3 (ZTF), was last seen during the Stone Age when early humans and Neanderthals roamed the planet. Now, in a once-in-a-lifetime event, skywatchers will have the opportunity to witness this ancient traveler as it makes its closest approach to Earth.

A Rare Visitor from the Outer Solar System

C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was first discovered in March 2022 by astronomers at the Zwicky Transient Facility in California. Initially appearing as a faint speck, it gradually brightened as it moved inward from the distant Oort Cloud, a vast region of icy bodies at the edge of the solar system. The comet’s stunning green hue is caused by diatomic carbon (C₂) in its coma, which emits a bright green glow when exposed to solar radiation.

Unlike regular meteors or asteroids, which remain within the inner solar system, this comet follows a long elliptical orbit. After this visit, it may be ejected from the solar system entirely, making this the only chance for modern humanity to witness it.

When and How to See the Green Comet

The best time to view the green comet will be in late January and early February 2023, when it reaches its perigee—the closest point to Earth—at a distance of about 26 million miles (42 million kilometers). The comet will be visible in the northern hemisphere, particularly in areas with minimal light pollution.

For optimal viewing, stargazers should:

  • Look towards the northern sky just before dawn or after midnight.
  • Use binoculars or a telescope for a clearer view, though it may become visible to the naked eye under ideal conditions.
  • Identify nearby celestial landmarks such as Polaris (the North Star) and the Big Dipper to locate the comet.

The comet will appear as a faint greenish smudge with a long, wispy tail due to the outgassing of ice and dust as it nears the Sun.

The Science Behind Its Green Glow

The comet’s distinctive green color is due to a rare chemical reaction. As it moves closer to the Sun, solar radiation causes diatomic carbon molecules in the comet’s coma to break apart, producing a green glow. While many comets contain similar compounds, not all of them shine as vividly as C/2022 E3 (ZTF).

A Glimpse Into Ancient History

This comet’s last journey through Earth’s skies occurred around 50,000 years ago, when early humans were developing primitive tools and Neanderthals still coexisted with Homo sapiens. Some scientists speculate that prehistoric humans may have even observed the comet, though no records exist.

With its rare return, C/2022 E3 (ZTF) offers a humbling reminder of the vast timescales of the cosmos and the fleeting nature of human history.

Whether seen through a telescope or captured in photographs, this cosmic event is not to be missed—because once it departs, it may never return again.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Marine Le Pen Timidly Distances Herself from Donald Trump

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), has long been associated with populist movements that challenge traditional political establishments. Her nationalist rhetoric, opposition to immigration, and skepticism toward the European Union have drawn comparisons to former U.S. President Donald Trump. However, as Trump remains a deeply polarizing figure both in the United States and abroad, Le Pen has taken a cautious approach in managing her association with him. Rather than fully embracing Trump’s brand of politics, she has sought to distance herself—though in a reserved and strategic manner. A Delicate Balancing Act Le Pen’s political trajectory has been shaped by the need to broaden her appeal beyond the far-right base that has historically supported her party. In past elections, her close ties to Trump and other nationalist leaders, such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, were seen as assets among populist voters. However, as she eyes a potential victory in France’...
Post a Comment
Read more

In My Sourdough Era

Lately, I’ve found myself deep in what I like to call my sourdough era —a time of patience, creativity, and flour-dusted countertops. It all started as a casual curiosity, a passing thought about how people have been baking bread for centuries without commercial yeast. That curiosity quickly spiraled into an obsession with fermentation, hydration ratios, and the perfect crust. There’s something almost poetic about sourdough. Unlike store-bought bread, which is quick and predictable, sourdough demands time and attention. It starts with the starter—a living, breathing culture of wild yeast and bacteria that you have to feed, nurture, and sometimes even name (mine’s called “Doughreen”). At first, I wasn’t sure I had the patience for it. Watching bubbles slowly form in a jar over days seemed like an odd hobby, but as soon as I baked my first loaf, I understood the magic. The process of making sourdough has a rhythm to it. Feeding the starter becomes a ritual, much like tending to a plant...
Post a Comment
Read more

Six planets to appear in alignment next week in rare celestial parade

In a rare celestial event, six planets—Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—are set to align in the night sky from January 21 to 31, 2025. This phenomenon, often referred to as a "planetary parade," offers a unique opportunity for both amateur and professional astronomers to observe multiple planets simultaneously. Understanding the Planetary Parade A planetary parade occurs when several planets appear to line up in the sky from Earth's perspective. While the planets are not physically aligned in space, their positions along the ecliptic plane—the Sun's apparent path across the sky—make them appear grouped together. Such alignments are relatively rare, especially when involving six planets. The last notable alignment of this magnitude occurred in 2005, making the 2025 event a significant occasion for skywatchers.  archyde.com When and Where to Observe The alignment will be visible from January 21 to 31, 2025, with optimal viewing times occurring shortly a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Blogger templates