2023-01-08, 06:46 PM
The LONG period(?) comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is predicted to become visible to the naked eye in late January - early February. ST4v currently estimates the brightness at 7.1 magnitude in Corona Borealis in the morning. Some estimates have the period as ~50,000 years. The NASA JPL Small Body Database lookup page lists the eccentricty (e) as 1.000270488706647±7.7609E-7, so a slightly hyperbolic orbit & not really periodic.
Here's ST4v's description of the naked eye visibility of the comet:
"C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will reach perihelion in mid January. On January 12 this comet will pass within 0.3 AU of the earth. It is predicted to reach maximum brightness of magnitude 5 in late January. The best visibility from Darby Creek 2 near maximum brightness is predicted to be in late January when it will be approximately magnitude 5. On February 1 this comet will be moving quickly across the sky at a peak rate of 16.6 "/min PA 211.2°. Note that future predictions of magnitude and visibility are subject to the unpredictable nature of these objects."
This is a northern hemisphere object as it will pass through Draco & Ursa Minor. Information about this comet is in the Current Comets Observing List for 2023 January.
Good hunting,
Phil S.
Here's ST4v's description of the naked eye visibility of the comet:
"C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will reach perihelion in mid January. On January 12 this comet will pass within 0.3 AU of the earth. It is predicted to reach maximum brightness of magnitude 5 in late January. The best visibility from Darby Creek 2 near maximum brightness is predicted to be in late January when it will be approximately magnitude 5. On February 1 this comet will be moving quickly across the sky at a peak rate of 16.6 "/min PA 211.2°. Note that future predictions of magnitude and visibility are subject to the unpredictable nature of these objects."
This is a northern hemisphere object as it will pass through Draco & Ursa Minor. Information about this comet is in the Current Comets Observing List for 2023 January.
Good hunting,
Phil S.