KOMPAS.com – An astronomical phenomenon in the form of comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) passing near the earth is expected to occur in early February 2023.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was first observed on July 10, 2021.
The name ZTF stands for Zwicky Transient Facility which is the name of an astronomical observation facility with a wide field of view that uses a camera connected to the Samuel Oschin telescope at the Observatory, Palomar, California, United States.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is quite anticipated because it only passes once in a lifetime.
This is because the orbits form a hyperbola with an elongation value greater than one.
As a result, it forms an open curve at both focus points.
Some astronomers estimate the comet’s period to be 250,000 years with a daily motion of 13.6 arcseconds per day.
So, when will Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) cross the skies of Indonesia?
Also read: NASA Confirms The Largest Comet Core, This Is Its Distance from Earth
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) passing schedule
A comet that only passes once in a lifetime it will be near Earth on February 2, 2023 at 00.32 WIB / 01.32 WITA / 02.32 WIT.
At that time, comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will be 42,472,000 km from Earth.
BRIN Space Research Center researcher Andi Princeg said that the appearance of this comet could be seen in the sky of Indonesia from 1 February 2023 at 18.30 to 2 February 2023 at 02.30 local time.
“For DKI Jakarta, this comet reached its highest point at 21.53 WIB with a height of 11.9 degrees. When it reached the closest point, this comet was seen in the north direction with an altitude of 7.4 degrees,” said Andi, when contacted by Kompas.com, Saturday (21/1/2023).
Meanwhile, in Eastern Indonesia, the comet will set when it reaches its closest point to Earth.
Also read: Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) Only Passes Once in a Lifetime, When Can It Be Seen in Indonesia?
Actually, comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) reached its closest point to the Sun on January 13, 2023 at 06.48 WIB.
However, at that time, this once-in-a-lifetime comet could not be observed with the naked eye.
On January 29, 2023, comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will be seen twice, namely at midnight and 23:00 local time.
Meanwhile, on January 30, 2023, the comet will be visible at 21.00 local time from the north near the constellation Draco.
Until January 30, the comet can be seen until 05.30 local time in the north.
Since January 31, 2033, the comet has set at 04:00 local time, and the comet’s sunset time will be shorter each day.
Starting February 1, 2023, the appearance of comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) always occurs after sunset.
Also read: Comet with a Mass of 500 Trillion Tons Leads to Earth, Is it Dangerous?
How to watch comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)
Andi said comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) could be seen with the naked eye until 13 February 2023 from 18.20 to 01.00 local time.
To observe it, you can find a place that is free from light pollution.
Make sure you are in a clear field of view when observing the comet.
Also, make sure the weather conditions where you see Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) are clear.
You can also capture the moment when comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) passes using a DSLR camera, CCD camera attached to a telescope and connected to a laptop or computer.
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