The NASA Astronomy of the Day photo of January 28, 2023 captures a spectacular image of Comet ZTF on Mount Etna.
The magnificent blue comet ZTF is ready to make its closest approach to Earth in 50000 years. Astronomy enthusiasts are sharing great photos and other information about Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF as it gets closer. Over the past few weeks, the US space agency NASA itself has shown a few glimpses of Comet E3. Now, NASA’s Astronomy Photo of the Day on January 28 offers a breathtaking view of Comet ZTF on Mount Etna.
Clouds of comet-like smoke are blowing over the volcanic peaks of Mount Etna in this cold mountain and sky view from the planet. The earth. NASA says the stacking and blending of individual exposures recorded on the cold night of January 23, also captured the naked eye Comet ZTF just above Etna’s snowy ridge, “NASA said.
Comet ZTF current location
NASA confirmed this weekend that Comet ZTF is racing across the northern sky between the polar star Polaris and the Big Dipper. “From a dark web, you can only detect it as a fuzzy patch. That’s still an impressive feat if you consider yourself looking at a visitor from far away Oort. cloud with my own eyes,” NASA more.
However, using some binoculars or small telescopes will make observing Comet ZTF more interesting in the coming days. Comet ZTF is expected to make its closest approach on February 2, within about 2.4 light-minutes of our planet.
Why is it named Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF
With the help of the 48-inch (1.2-meter) Samuel Oschin robotic telescope, astronomers discovered Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF on March 2, 2022. This telescope is one part of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), located at Mt. in southern California. The blue comet is the third object found in the fifth month (A, B, C, D, E) of the year. And that’s how it got its name- Comet 2022 E3 (ZTF).
