Newly discovered green comet expected to whiz by Earth

A uncommon, not too long ago 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 the most effective day to view it,” says York College Assistant Professor Elaina Hyde, director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory within the School 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 might 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 shiny it will likely be, nobody is sort of certain.

“Proper now, you undoubtedly want good binoculars or a small telescope to see this comet, however in direction of the top of the month it could 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 is going to additionally depend 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 stay teletube, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Climate allowing, this can be top-of-the-line methods to look at the comet.