Green Comet 2023: When and where are the best places to see it in the United States?
The “Green Comet”, technically known as C/2022 E3 (ZTF), is making its closest approach to Earth over the coming days. One of the most hoped for astronomical events, this particular comet last passed by our planet some 50,000 years ago, when both Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens walked the planet at the same time.
However, C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is quite small, so it won’t be as bright as other more famous comets that appear periodically in the night sky. This means that you will need to seek out some place with very little light pollution, and even then, due to its faintness will be difficult to see.
But, over the next few days, you may be able to see it with the naked eye, weather and sky conditions permitting, when it reaches its brightest. But it wouldn’t hurt to bring along a pair of binoculars or telescope. Here’s where you’ll have the best opportunity to see the celestial phenomenon.
Find some place dark and early in the morning to see the comet
The Green Comet can be located by looking northwest, the path it is following, of the space between the North Star and the cup of the Big Dipper. In the morning hours, when you’ll have the best viewing as the Moon is waxing, getting bigger and brighter each day, it will be above and to the left of Polaris. You will be looking for a faint fuzzy ball in the sky, unfortunately the tail will not be visible, nor will you be able to see the green hue with the naked eye, and most likely neither with binoculars.
