It will be visible from Earth around mid-week — the first time that’s been the case in, oh, 50,000 years or so.
“The comet’s location makes it circumpolar, so it will be in the sky all night,” says Leacock. “It is best viewed in the early morning hours after the moon has set.”
Leacock says to look for it in the northern sky. “If you’re able to find Polaris, you’re not too far away from being in the general area of the sky where the comet will be.”That’s due to its orbit, Leacock explains. “If the orbit is closed, the time it would take for it to complete one orbit around the sun is about 50,000 years.”
Scientists are pretty sure the comet has passed Earth before — even if you’d have to check with an Ice Age Neanderthal to confirm that. What isn’t known is if it will stay in our solar system, or if “small gravitational impacts” will cause it to change its course, says Leacock.Article content“It will be difficult to see with the naked eye if you are in the city,” says Leacock. She says the comet has a “magnitude” of about plus-five.
“The limits our eyes can see with perfect conditions are about plus-three magnitude in the city and about plus-six in dark sky conditions,” she says. So beyond the city lights and with binoculars or a small telescope is your best bet.“The green colour is due to diatomic carbon being broken down by solar ultraviolet light,” Leacock explains.
Finally, we didn’t check with Leacock about this, but just for the record: No. C/2022 E3 is neither a new Tesla model nor one of Elon Musk’s kids.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The green comet: Coming soon to a night sky near youLight pollution will make it almost impossible to see with the naked eye from Metro Vancouver, but it can be spotted in a dark sky
Read more »
WARMINGTON: Mississauga didn't mind this Hurricane coming through and will deeply miss HazelIt’s not often a hurricane leaves more standing than what was there before it arrived.
Read more »
Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming weekTORONTO — Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week:
Read more »
WARMINGTON: Mississauga didn't mind this Hurricane coming through and will deeply miss HazelWARMINGTON: Mississauga didn't mind this Hurricane coming through and will deeply miss Hazel Via joe_warmington
Read more »
WARMINGTON: Mississauga didn't mind this Hurricane coming through and will deeply miss HazelIt’s not often a hurricane leaves more standing than what was there before it arrived.
Read more »
Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming weekFrom Imperial Oil results to CP Rail earnings, here are five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week:
Read more »