Tag: next comet

Technology

Space miracle or dud? Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS to fly by Earth; know when to watch

While asteroids pass by Earth virtually every day and some small ones crash into it, Comets are a rarity and when they come calling, it is exciting time not just for the astronomers, but also for the lay public. And that time is here as Comet C/2023 A3, which is also known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, is all set to pass by Earth in 2024. Astronomers believe that this comet can be 100 times brighter than the comet ZTF, reports Business Insider. This comet could be the most spectacular sight of the year. However, the comet is more than a year away.“Pretty much right away, it started a buzz in the comet community, because predictions were putting it all over the place in terms of how bright it could get,” says Ariel Graykowski, a planetary astronomer at the SETI Institute. Fascinatingly, she als...
Technology

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day 24 March 2023: Comet ZTF and the stars of Milky Way

Comets are of great interest to scientists as they are remnants of the early Solar System, providing valuable information about its composition and conditions. One of these is the Rare Green Comet ZTF which made its extremely rare approach to Earth just last month. The tech that discovered Comet ZTF was the wide-field survey camera at the Zwicky Transient Facility in 2022 in March last year.While comets often pass close to Earth, Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is particularly noteworthy because it has a 50000-year orbit, meaning the last time it came close to Earth was almost 50000 years ago during the Upper Paleolithic period when Neanderthals were still present on Earth. Today's NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day is a picture of Comet ZTF fading away in the sky. According to NASA, it is now 13...
Technology

Move over Green comet! A ‘brighter’ new comet to visit Earth, outshine stars in the sky

On February 1, the world witnessed the passing of the Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), popularly known as the green comet due to its unusual hue. The comet visited the Earth after a period of 50,000 years and illuminated the night sky as it passed. But now, a bigger and brighter comet is headed our way and if early predictions are to be believed, it will be brighter than the green comet as well. The comet is named C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) and interestingly, it was mistaken as an asteroid first. Check the details.The comet was discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), which is situated in South Africa. The comet was first spotted on February 22 when it showed up on ATLAS, an early warning system developed for detecting near-Earth asteroids. Feared to be an ast...
Technology

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day 21 February 2023: Comet ZTF over Yosemite Falls

On February 1, the Green Comet ZTF made its closest approach to Earth, which was observed by astronomers and sky-watchers worldwide. Comets are of great interest to scientists as they are remnants of the early Solar System, providing valuable information about its composition and conditions. While comets often pass close to Earth, Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is particularly noteworthy because it has a 50000-year orbit, meaning the last time it came close to Earth was almost 50000 years ago during the Upper Paleolithic period when Neanderthals were still present on Earth.NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day is a mesmerizing picture of Comet ZTF streaking across the skies over Yosemite Falls located in the Sierra Nevada region of California. According to NASA, this comet was discovered by astr...
Technology

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day 13 February 2023: Green Comet ZTF flies past Mars

Although comets often make close flybys, the Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is particularly special as it has a period of around 50,000 years. That means the last time it flew past Earth closely, it was witnessed by Neanderthals during the Upper Paleolithic period on Earth nearly 50000 years ago. Comet ZTF recently made its trip to Earth and came closest to the planet on February 1, after which it went on its journey again. A couple of days ago, the comet came across another nearby comet called Comet C/2022 U2 (ATLAS) near the constellation Auriga. Now, Comet ZTF has been captured passing Mars.NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day is a picturesque image of Comet ZTF as it swept past Mars on February 10 and 11. Although it wasn't visible visually, its picture was captured by astronomers as it app...
Technology

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day 10 February 2023: Awesome! Comet ZTF meets Comet ATLAS

The Green Comet ZTF passed Earth at its closest distance on February 1 and it was seen by astronomers and sky-watchers alike all over the world. Comets are of interest to scientists because they are remnants of the early Solar System, and can tell us about the conditions and composition of the early Solar System. Although comets often make close flybys, the Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is particularly special as it has a period of around 50000 years. That means the last time it flew past Earth closely; it was seen by Neanderthals during the Upper Paleolithic period on Earth nearly 50000 years ago.NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day is a breathtaking picture of the Comet ZTF racing across the skies as it passed another comet named Comet C/2022 U2 (ATLAS) near the constellation Auriga. The pic...
Technology

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day 3 February 2023: Comet ZTF leaves awesome trail

Comets are frozen leftovers from the formation of the solar system composed of dust, rock, and ices. They range from a few miles to tens of miles wide, but as they orbit closer to the Sun, they heat up and spew gases and dust into a glowing head that can be larger than a planet. When a comet gets close to the Sun, its ice and dust content start to vaporize. So, when seen in a telescope, a comet appears fuzzy and has a tail.Although comets often make close trips to Earth, one particular comet has intrigued astronomers and skywatchers alike. The comet is called Comet C/2022E3 (ZTF) and it is a long-period comet that originated in the Oort cloud. What's shocking about this comet is the last time it came close to Earth; it was seen by Neanderthals nearly 50000 years ago in the Upper Paleo...
Technology

EXPLAINER-What to expect during the green comet’s encounter with Earth

A green-hued comet that has been lurking in the night sky for months is expected to be the most visible to stargazers this week as it gradually passes Earth for the first time in about 50,000 years. A green-hued comet that has been lurking in the night sky for months is expected to be the most visible to stargazers this week as it gradually passes Earth for the first time in about 50,000 years.The cosmic visitor will swing by our planet at a distance of about 26.4 million miles (42.5 million km). Here is an explanation of comets in general and this one in particular. WHAT IS A COMET?Nicknamed "dirty snowballs" by astronomers, comets are balls of ice, dust and rocks that typically hail from the ring of icy material called the Oort cloud at our solar system's outer edge. One known come...
Technology

Rare green comet will make its closest approach to the Earth TOMORROW; Know how to see it

The rare green comet which entered the inner solar system after 50,000 years will be making its closest approach to the Earth tomorrow, February 1. Find out the best way to see it. The world of astronomy has been dominated by the news of the green comet. Also known as Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), this ancient icy comet last came this close to our planet 50,000 years ago. Back then, Neanderthals still roamed the Earth. And that's why you should not let go of this incredibly rare moment and make sure to watch it in the night sky tomorrow, February 1. The best part about this comet is that it will even be visible to the unaided eye. But where should you look in the sky to be able to watch it? And what can you do if you have a cloudy sky or the light pollution in your area is too much? Don't w...
Technology

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day 31 January 2023: Green Comet ZTF over Spain

NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day is a snapshot of the rare Green Comet ZTF captured in the skies above Spain. NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day 31 January 2023: A comet orbits the Sun, but unlike an asteroid, it's composed of ice and dust. When a comet gets close to the Sun, its ice and dust content start to vaporize. So, when seen in a telescope, a comet appears fuzzy and has a tail. If you are a fan of watching comets, there is some exciting news for you. A comet which was last seen by Neanderthals is all set to pass Earth this year. The comet is called Comet C/2022E3 (ZTF). It is a long-period comet that originated in the Oort cloud.NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day is an image of the Comet ZTF captured in a triple view in Caceres, Spain, by astrophotographers Javier Caldera ...