Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)

[IndigoErth]

Any of you guys try to check it out?

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GdydYyFHMb2Zbdiu4CASqH-1200-80.jpg
An illustration of the night sky on Feb. 10 showing the green comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) close to Mars and the Taurus constellation. (Image credit: Starry Night Software)

https://www.space.com/green-comet-c2022-e3-ztf-near-mars-february-2023


Next bunch of nights are supposed to be cloudy but was initially clear this evening so I tried to look with binoculars, but think we've just got too much light pollution. (And my sucky vision doesn't help trying to get the binoculars clear enough for both eyes. Couldn't for the left.) Pretty certain that Mars is nearly straight up right now, so ended up laying my back on the hood of one of our cars just to try to get a clear look. Couldn't find the comet, but at least pretty sure I was looking in the right area with Orion and the Pleiades being the the most obvious ones straddling Mars.

Ah well, we tried. Hope some of you have less light to contend with and clearer conditions.

[ChosenOne]

Will it be visible from Southern Europe?

[IndigoErth]

I think all of the northern hemisphere should be able to at least attempt to see it, supposedly with binoculars or a basic telescope with a clear sky and dark enough conditions.

Here's another image showing whereabouts it should be tonight and tomorrow in relation to Mars.

https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3eafe3f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/972x547+0+0/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F88%2Fbf%2F652a9f7f4a 9190e296abafae5f01%2Fcomet-sky-chart.PNG

Image from a news station out of Texas, so not sure if that throws the viewing angle off a bit. I found that seemed to be a bit flipped for me from my angle on the constellations.



My binoculars were good enough to see the Pleiades stars that otherwise to the eye only looked like a vague smudge and saw it most in peripheral vision, yet didn't see anything that looked comet shaped or green...

[ChosenOne]

Thanks for the image, I went out in the backyard last night (suburban area, very little light pollution) and found Mars right away just a little off that very spot. And while my eyesight's starting to go to sh*t as I near my forties, I did spot a bright streak just below Mars.

Gonna have to dig up a pair of binoculars I have in here somewhere and try again tonight. Fascinating stuff!

[IndigoErth]

Tried a few times this evening with no luck. Found a live shot though.

https://www.youtube.com/live/Xf-HcvMtzu8?feature=share

Definitely way more zoomed in than my grandfather's vintage binoculars were able to get...

[ChosenOne]

Last night was a no-go, too cloudy to even get a good long look at the Moon, let alone spot Mars. :ohwell:

[IndigoErth]

Same. Think I first looked too early, then the 10pm hour that one image suggested was cloudy, and by the time I went to bed it was clear again but I think Mars had shifted out of view for me. Supposedly it could still be viewable tonight.

As zoomed in as that live view is though, I'm thinking my binoculars might not be able to pick up anything more than an indiscernible dot at best. Think it was supposed to be brighter and more visible at the end of January, but nights were too cloudy here.

[ChosenOne]

The sky was still cloudy last night, I couldn't even see the moon. Guess I missed my chance with the binoculars but at least I got a glimpse the other night.