Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) does not work. When, where and how you can see it in the sky with a little luck with just August: all the info.
Hamm – Do you remember Neowise? In the summer of 2020, comet C/2020 F3 could be seen in the sky for days and was particularly visible in North Rhine-Westphalia. With bare age one could marvel at the tailed star. It’s January and February 2023 and it’s not too late. From comet C/2022 E3, from abbreviation ZTF Tragt. When and interested in how the sky spectacle can best be observed, we summarize in an overview.
| was | comet |
| Surname | C/2022 E3 (ZTF) |
| date of discovery | March 2, 2022 |
| explorer | Zwicky Transient Facility at Palomar Observatory |
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF): When and how to see it in the sky
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was announced on March 2, 2022. It will reach its perihelion, also its closest point to the sun, on January 12, 2023. After that it gets exciting, because then the C/2022 E3 (ZTF) moves towards the earth – and could be visible to us until mid-February.
NASA was initially observed on comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in the northern hemisphere with binoculars or a telescope only in the morning sky. Over time, however, it will remain high in the sky near North Star throughout the night. direct every interested look to the north.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) visible in the sky — good time on new moon
A good time to watch the comet is at the new moon on January 21, 2023 almost the opposite of the full moon that shone on January 7th. The moon is between the earth and the sun. In this position, exactly the half of the moon that is turned away from the earth is illuminated. So we don’t see the moon — and the night stays mostly dark. Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is also particularly good to admire at new moon.
According to the Haus der Astronomie, the days after that, i.e. shortly before the end of January, will then also be optimal: “The comet has quickly reached its maximum brightness at approx. 5.5 mag, and the moon in the first quarter sets in the second half of the night ‘ according to the experts.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF): “You have to know exactly where to find it in the sky”
The maximum brightness of 5.5 mag is clear for a comet, under very dark skies one might even be able to see it with the naked eye. “But you have to know exactly where to find it in the sky.” The search maps of the Association of Star Friends, a star atlas or appropriate mobile phone apps can help.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF): It will make its closest approach to Earth on February 1, but…
Am February 1st there are still 42 million kilometers between the comet and the earth. Then he is in the constellation Giraffe. One might think that this is the best time to be able to see C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in the sky. However, the moonlight will interfere with the observation — the full moon is on February 5th.
We missed Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in late January, but will have another chance to catch a glimpse in February. “The second week of February offers another observation window in the evening sky; C/2022 E3 is now 6 mag bright,” said the astronomy expert. In addition, an exciting encounter can be observed with a small telescope: On February 10th and 11th C/2022 E3 will pass close to Mars.
New comet in the sky: According to experts, not comparable to “Neowise”.
However, this is confirmation for astronomy fans: According to the Austrian comet photographer Michael Jäger, this show, as delivered by comet C/2020 F3 (Neowise) in summer 2020, is not to be expected: “With the bright comets, like Neowise recently 2020, this comet cannot be compared,” said the comet expert in an interview with fr.de.
