The “Green Comet” C/2022 E3 (ZF) becomes visible in binoculars at the end of this month and early February. We now have an excellent photo taken by Christina Tyler Wenks, Analemma Society Recording Secretary. In an email she said "This photograph was taken this morning, Jan. 27, at about 1 a.m. of Comet c/2023 E3 ZTF. Taken between bursts of fast moving thin upper layer clouds and thick mid-level clouds, I could only use short long-exposures.This is a single exposure with no processing, so I am thrilled the comet and star colors are so vivid."
Comets are not big meteors streaking across the sky. Though they move fast by astronomical standards, you won’t see it moving in the telescope unless you spend several hours carefully noting its position against the background stars.
On Jan 12th it was closest to the sun and was low in the north-east. The comet will be visible over the next several weeks and will be closest to the earth around Feb 1st or 2nd. As it nears the Earth, it seems to move rapidly toward the North Star, Polaris and will be visible earlier in the evening. Download the attachment for details of where to find the comet in the sky.
The comet can be seen in binoculars and our telescopes provide even a better view. Come see the comet C/2022 E3 (ZFT) on a clear Friday Public Night in the next few weeks. The Friday Public observing is free at Observatory Park (open Friday 7:30 - 9pm) at Turner Farm in Fairfax Virginia.
 Observing Coment C-2022 E3 ZTF.pdf | [ ] | 532 kB |