A green comet, which hasn't been seen in 50,000 years, will be seen in the sky today on. The last time this comet moved past Earth, it was still the Stone Age.
After leaving our Solar System, this Green Comet approached the Sun on January 12 and is now passing closest to Earth, on February 1.
The comet is officially known as C/2022 E3 (ZTF) after the Zwicky Transient Facility, where it was first spotted in March last year, when it passed Jupiter.
Comets are essentially clumps of frozen gases, rock and dust. When they approach the sun, they become powerful cosmic objects: a glowing core and flame-like long tail.
During the course of a year, roughly a dozen comets pass close to amateur telescopes. Most arrive and leave quietly, but a few stand out, including this one.
To watch this comet, you will need binoculars. You cannot spot it with the naked eye, given that it will not be as bright as experts expected it to be.
The comet will be visible after 9.30 pm in India, given there's no pollution. Look to the south of the Pole Star. You can see the greenish tinge (use binoculars).
The comet will be visible in the sky from several parts of India, including West Bengal, Odisha, Ladakh, and several northeastern states.
GIF: unsplashThis Green Comet is very similar to another comet called Lovejoy, which was seen back in 2015.