From Bhubaneswar and other locations in Odisha, comet c/2022 E3, widely known as the “green comet,” has been observed. The comet pictures are currently trending on several social media sites.
The comet was given its name in honour of the astronomers who discovered it in March 2022 while using the wide-field survey camera at the US-based Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF).
Photojournalists Rakesh Roul and Malaya are said to have taken images of the comet c/2022 E3 in Koraput and Bhubaneswar, respectively. Through their telephoto lenses, the photojournalists photographed the comet in its entirety.
On January 30, 31, February 1, and February 2, 2023, the comet c/2022 E3 will, however, be visible with the unaided eye. After almost 50,000 years, the comet is now visible close to Earth.
Deputy director of Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Suvendu Pattnaik said, “It will be a golden opportunity for the students and sky gazers to view the comet, which may even be visible to the naked eye.”
On the aforementioned dates, Patnaik claims that the comet can be seen with the naked eye after 7:30 p.m. But one must make sure they are outside of the city limits and have a clear night sky.
“The images that have gone viral on social media have been checked out and confirmed as being real. However, these images were obtained using tele-lenses, according to Patnaik, who also noted that it will be visible to the unaided eye in the following days as it approaches the earth.
Prasanta Patnaik