A Vibrant Green Comet Will Be Visible in Australia for the First Time in 50,000 Years Next Month

For the first time in 50,000 years, a glowing green comet will make its way across the skies of the southern hemisphere, next month. The comet, dubbed C/2022 E3 (ZTF), will first be visible in northern skies throughout late January before folks in Australia and New Zealand will be able to catch a glimpse of the rare phenomenon in early February.

Astronomers first discovered C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in March 2022 and have been tracking its movements since, taking particular note of the tear-shaped, glowing green tail of the comet as it shoots across our skies. According to NASA the comet should become bright enough for Australians to see in the early hours of February 2, when it reaches its perigee (its closest point to Earth, for us laypeople).

The passing of C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will be one of the most spectacular astronomical events since multiple meteor showers graced southern skies back in July 2022, when the Piscis Austrinids, the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids all appeared within a week of each other.