1 FEB 2023

Where In India Can You See The Rare Green Comet From

DRISTI SHARMA

SINCE STONE AGE

A green comet, which hasn't been seen in 50,000 years, will be seen in the sky today on. The last time this comet moved past Earth, it was still the Stone Age.

VIDEO: UNSPLASH

STARTING TODAY

After leaving our Solar System, this Green Comet approached the Sun on January 12 and is now passing closest to Earth, on February 1.

VIDEO: UNSPLASH

wHERE WAS IT FIRST SPOTTED?

The comet is officially known as C/2022 E3 (ZTF) after the Zwicky Transient Facility, where it was first spotted in March last year, when it passed Jupiter.

photo: unsplash

what is a comet?

Comets are essentially clumps of frozen gases, rock and dust. When they approach the sun, they become powerful cosmic objects: a glowing core and flame-like long tail.

video: Unsplash

COMETS ARE COMMON

During the course of a year, roughly a dozen comets pass close to amateur telescopes. Most arrive and leave quietly, but a few stand out, including this one.

PHOTO: UNSPLASH

VISIBLE WITH the naked eye?

To watch this comet, you will need binoculars. You cannot spot it with the naked eye, given that it will not be as bright as experts expected it to be.

PHOTO: BBC

The comet will be visible after 9.30 pm in India, given there's no pollution. Look to the south of the Pole Star. You can see the greenish tinge (use binoculars).

PHOTO: UNSPLASH

SEEING IT FROM INDIA

WHERE IN INDIA?

The comet will be visible in the sky from several parts of India, including West Bengal, Odisha, Ladakh, and several northeastern states.

GIF: unsplash

similar coments

This Green Comet is very similar to another comet called Lovejoy, which was seen back in 2015.

PHOTO: NASA