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Comet

C/2022 E3 (ZTF)

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is a long-period comet discovered on March 2, 2022, that reached its closest point to the Sun (perihelion) on January 12, 2023, becoming one of the brightest comets observed in recent years.

Discovery and Origin of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was first discovered on March 2, 2022, by astronomers Frank Masci and Bryce Bolin using the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) at the Palomar Observatory in Southern California. At the time of discovery, it was 399 million miles (643 million km) from the sun, just inside Jupiter’s orbit. The comet originates from the Oort Cloud, a distant reservoir of comets in the outer reaches of our solar system, estimated to be about a light-year across.

Orbit and Orbital Characteristics

C/2022 E3 (ZTF) follows a highly elliptical orbit with a period of approximately 50,000 years. It reached its perihelion on January 12, 2023, at a distance of 1.1 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. The comet made its closest approach to Earth on February 1, 2023, passing within 28 million miles (42 million km) of our planet. Its orbit is nearly perpendicular to the ecliptic, with an inclination of 109°. Interestingly, this may be the comet’s last visit to the inner solar system, as its current orbit appears to be parabolic, meaning it may not return.

Notable Appearances and Observations

C/2022 E3 (ZTF) became a notable target for astrophotographers and amateur astronomers in early 2023. It developed a stunning green hue and a long tail, making it a visually striking object. The comet reached its peak brightness around late January to early February 2023, with estimates suggesting it might reach magnitude 5.5, potentially making it visible to the naked eye under dark sky conditions. For astrophotographers, the comet’s passage near Polaris and its rapid movement across the sky (about 12 arc seconds per minute at its fastest) presented unique imaging challenges and opportunities. Notable celestial encounters included passing near Mars on February 10-11 and Aldebaran on February 15-16, 2023.

Scientific Significance and Composition

As a long-period comet from the Oort Cloud, C/2022 E3 (ZTF) offers valuable insights into the composition of the early solar system. While specific details about its composition are limited in the provided sources, comets like C/2022 E3 (ZTF) are generally composed of a mixture of ice, dust, and rocky material – often described as “dirty snowballs.” The comet’s green color, visible in many astrophotographs, is likely due to the presence of diatomic carbon in its coma, which glows green when excited by sunlight. For astrophotographers, the comet’s large coma and long tail, resulting from outgassing as it approached the Sun, provided excellent opportunities to capture its evolving appearance and structure over time.

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