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Credit & Copyright: Petr Horalek /
Institute of Physics in Opava
Explanation:
Can you still see the comet?
Yes. Even as C/2022 E3 (ZTF) fades, there is still time to see it if you know
where and when to look.
Geometrically,
Comet ZTF has passed its closest to both the
Sun and the
Earth
and is now headed back to the outer
Solar System.
Its orbit around the Sun has it gliding across the northern sky all month, after
passing
near Polaris and both the
Big and
Little Dippers
last month.
Pictured,
Comet ZTF was photographed between the two dippers in late January
while sporting an
ion tail that extended over 10
degrees.
Now below naked-eye visibility,
Comet ZTF can be found with binoculars or a small telescope and a
good sky map.
A good time to
see the comet over the next week is after the Sun sets -- but before
the Moon rises.
The comet will move
nearly in front of Mars in a few
days
Comet ZTF Gallery:
Notable Submissions to APOD
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January February March April May June July August September October November December |
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: comet
Publications with words: comet
See also:
- APOD: 2024 June 4 Á Comet Pons Brooks Develops Opposing Tails
- APOD: 2024 April 17 Á Total Eclipse and Comets
- APOD: 2024 April 8 Á The Changing Ion Tail of Comet Pons Brooks
- Comet Pons-Brooks at Night
- APOD: 2024 March 18 Á Comet Pons Brooks Swirling Coma
- Comet 12P/Pons Brooks in Northern Spring
- Structure in the Tail of Comet 12P/Pons Brooks