Newly discovered green comet expected to whiz by Earth

A uncommon, just lately found comet with a greenish tint is anticipated to whiz by Earth over the subsequent few weeks, however sky gazers might have binoculars or a small telescope to see it.

“It will likely be going previous the constellation Corona Borealis simply earlier than dawn right here in Toronto with Feb. 1st being one of the best day to view it,” says York College Assistant Professor Elaina Hyde, director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory within the College of Science. “The Allan I. Carswell Observatory plans to focus on this fascinating object with our one-meter telescope.”

The final time this comet (found final yr by astronomers in southern California and named C/2022 E3) swooped by Earth was about 50,000 years in the past. It could by no means return.

It will likely be the closest to Earth, some 42-million kilometers away, on Feb. 1 at 1:11 p.m. EST, however simply how vivid will probably be, nobody is kind of positive.

“Proper now, you positively want good binoculars or a small telescope to see this comet, however in the direction of the top of the month it may be attainable to view it with the naked eye,” says York Assistant Professor Sarah Rugheimer, the Allan I. Carswell Chair for the Public Understanding of Astronomy. “It’ll additionally rely upon light pollution in your space and whether or not we have now clear or cloudy skies.”

York’s Allan I. Carswell Observatory hosts a Monday evening York College Radio Present and on-line public viewing, from 9 to 10 p.m. EST along with a Wednesday evening on-line dwell teletube, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Climate allowing, this can be the most effective methods to look at the comet.