by Tom Shafer
February 3, 2023
So, the astronomical world is agog right now because a comet, just located last March, is putting on quite a show for most of the planet. Comet C/2022 E3 (also known as ZTF) was discovered by astronomers using the Zwicky Transient Facility in California, and it is making its first appearance here since the last time dinosaurs roamed the earth. And, though it may not be quite as exciting and bright as Comet NEOWISE was back in July of pandemic-plagued 2020, ZTF’s rare green hue colors it must-see viewing for night sky lovers.
Traveling at close to 130,000 mph, it made its closest approach to us on the night of February 1st and 2nd, but it has been visible, faintly through telescopes or binoculars, since late December. Here in Ohio, our typical overcast winter has all but obscured visibility of the comet, and I didn’t get my first real glimpse of it until this past Monday evening. It was relatively easy to find because of its location between Polaris (the North Star) and the Big Dipper, but it was too faint then to capture a nice image. Fortunately, that changed last evening.
At around 8:30, I stepped out into the chilly (24°) night air to a clear sky, but an obnoxious, gibbous, nearly full moon was directly overhead casting shadows upon the landscape. Of course, a new moon would have been preferable, but Mother Nature rules as always. I detected ZTF after some quick orientation, and knew that I could secure a couple of nice pictures in spite of our very bright satellite friend. Sporadically over about four hours and utilizing my trusty Nikon CoolPix L120, I captured several images, a couple which I will share here. Hopefully, these will nudge you from your sofa sanctuary and away from the boobtube just long enough to wander outside to marvel at one of astronomy’s rarest events. Best yet, you still have a couple of weeks to catch this nightly show.
But don’t forget your binoculars — oh, and a coat if you live north of the Mason-Dixon line!
