Comet C/2022 E3 will be visible in the northern sky this month:
Stargazers are in for a treat this month, and it's all thanks to a rare green comet that'll be sailing through the sky. And yes, you read that write. It's a green comet.
Comet C/2022 E3 hasn't been seen in 50,000 years, and it's coming back in January.
According to NASA, you'll be able to see the comet in the early morning hours of Jan. 12 when it'll be within 100 million miles of the sun. The last day to see the comment will be on Feb. 1 when it'll be 26 million miles from Earth. However, it's slated to reach peak brightness in mid-to-late January, so you've got plenty of time to see its green glow.
As for the best viewing options, you'll want to consider the time around the New Moon when the skies are darkest. Also, if you can avoid city lights, you'll get a better glimpse. Without assistance, the comet will be only somewhat visible to the naked eye and only under the right weather conditions and in a nearly totally dark sky. The best options are to grab a pair of binoculars, or if you have a telescope already use it.
(Score: 2) by istartedi on Wednesday January 11, @07:16AM (3 children)
The long range forecast says atmospheric river storms should let up around the 19th. We have a chance!
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(Score: 1) by dwilson98052 on Wednesday January 11, @07:37PM (2 children)
Is that before or after the entire state is swept away by floods and mudslides?
(Score: 2) by istartedi on Wednesday January 11, @08:46PM
Hard to say. I just hope we don't get an unusually warm storm on top of the snow pack. That would add insult to injury--melting the reserves that are supposed to keep the state hydrated through the Summer, and simultaneously causing epic floods.
It'll impact the country, even the world. It's hard to grow food in the Central Valley when it's under water. Trading through the ports is not much good if the trucks can't get through. At least tech can work from home, but it will still cramp the style a bit there too.
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(Score: 3, Funny) by Reziac on Thursday January 12, @02:44AM
The four California seasons: Fire, Flood, Riot, and Earthquake. Mudslide, of course, is a month during Flood.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 4, Informative) by Ingar on Wednesday January 11, @09:03AM
This article [skyatnightmagazine.com] from BBC Sky at Night Magazine has some charts so you know where to look. This Reddit post [reddit.com] explains how to add the comet to Stellarium.
(Score: 3, Funny) by darkfeline on Wednesday January 11, @09:58AM
Now's a good time to play Outer Wilds if you haven't yet. Just in case.
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(Score: 4, Funny) by soylentnewsfan1 on Wednesday January 11, @12:02PM (2 children)
Is there a way I can see this with my clothes on?
At the time of this comment the quote from the submission seemed to be missing a word or contains a Freudian slip.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Ingar on Wednesday January 11, @12:40PM
You'll need to find assistance to put your clothes on.
(Score: 2) by Rosco P. Coltrane on Wednesday January 11, @05:35PM
Well, at least...
Write you are...
(Score: 2) by mcgrew on Wednesday January 11, @06:22PM (1 child)
Congratulations on the very worst pun I've heard in my life, if "you read that write" wasn't stupidity ala Facebook, where nobody can handle homophones. Here, I assume it's a really bad groaner.
Second, there's a really good chance that you'll be in the wrong spot to even see the comet at all. American media was all disappointed in Kahoutek in the winter of '73-'74, but it was simply too far south for many in the northern hemisphere to see it. I saw it well, on the southeastern horizon, but I was in the Air Force stationed in southern Thailand, close enough to the equator you can see the Southern Cross around the winter solstice.
I'd like to know why it's green. I saw a green shooting star once; the Russians threw a computer out. It must have been mostly copper. But copper's only green when it's oxidizing, like burning up in the atmosphere.
Carbon, The only element in the known universe to ever gain sentience
(Score: 2) by Ingar on Thursday January 12, @05:38PM
Apparently it has to do with carbon containing stuff and UV light. It's rather technical and chemistry never was my thing.
I'd rather know how big it is (apparent size, obviously) so I can try and image it.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 12, @03:43AM
We've got that under the kitchen sink...