Extremely Rare Comet to be Visible this Month

A comet that hasn’t been visible since the ice age could be visible later this week.

C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is expected to reach its closest point to the sun on Thursday and make its closest pass to earth on February 1. Something unique about this comet is it gives off a green light. Your best chance of seeing it is looking towards the northeast. For northeast Michiganders, that’s a plus since there is not a lot of light pollution over Lake Huron.

While it may be visible with the naked eye, using tools will only increase you chances of seeing the comet. “It is visible right now with binoculars and low power telescopes,” said Johnathan Winckowski, planetarium coordinator with Besser Museum. “It will continue to be visible through those tools. However, naked eye is still iffy and uncertain.”

Winckowski added that for card holders, telescopes can be rented out from the Alpena County Library.