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“Comet ZTF” discovered in 2022 is closest to earth The appearance of a comet that will never be seen again | sorae Site portal to space

[▲ Comet ZTF (C/2022 E3) a gymerwyd ar Ionawr 31, 2023 yn Arsyllfa Seryddol Ishigakijima (Credyd: NAOJ / Natsumi Hayatsu)]

This is “Comet ZTF” (C/2022 E3 (ZTF)) taken at the Ishigakijima Astronomical Observatory around 5:00 on January 31, 2023 (JST, same below).

Discovered in March 2022, Comet ZTF made its closest approach to the Sun on January 13, 2023, and then approached Earth in the early hours of February 2, 2023. The distance from Earth at its closest is about 42 million km (just under a third of the distance from the Earth to the Sun).

Comet ZTF, which has made its closest approach to earth, is in full bloom. Its brightness before and after its closest approach is about 5th magnitude, but it is expected to dim to about 6th magnitude on February 10 as it gradually moves away from earth.

According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and the European Space Agency (ESA), Comet ZTF can be vaguely seen with the naked eye under a good dark sky. Shooting with a camera with appropriate settings is recommended.

[▲ Diagram yn dangos lleoliad Comet ZTF (cylch melyn) yn awyr nos Tokyo rhwng Ionawr 26 a Chwefror 15, 2023 (Credyd: NAOJ)]

[▲ Diagram yn dangos lleoliad Comet ZTF (cylch melyn) yn awyr nos Tokyo rhwng Ionawr 26 a Chwefror 15, 2023 (Credyd: NAOJ)]

According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, it can be seen near the peak in Tokyo from sunset until midnight around February 8. These are bright stars and The planet appears to be a landmark.

The comet’s name, “ZTF,” is short for Palomar Observatory’s Zwicky Temporary Facility, which discovered the comet. The ZTF, which searches for sudden objects, has so far caught comets, supernova explosions, tidal disturbances of stars, etc. progress).

[▲ Comet ZTF (C/2022 E3) a gymerwyd ar Ionawr 31, 2023 ar Gampws NAOJ Mitaka (Credyd: NAOJ)]

[▲ Comet ZTF (C/2022 E3) a gymerwyd ar Ionawr 31, 2023 ar Gampws NAOJ Mitaka (Credyd: NAOJ)]

Comet ZTF, which made its closest approach this time, is believed to have originally revolved in an elongated elliptical orbit with a period of 50,000 years, but it is believed that the orbit will change due to the planet’s gravity and eventually escape from the solar system. If you have the chance to see the comet that you will never see again, let’s try to observe it!

Source

  • Image Credit: National Astronomical Observatory
  • National Astronomical Observatory of Japan – Comet ZTF approaches Earth (January/February 2023)
  • ESA – A rare close approach to a curious comet

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