Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), which has already been observed with the naked eye, is zooming away from Earth, perhaps never to return.
The green comet C/2022 E3 is set for a"cosmic meeting" with Mars in the sky this week—and here's how you can watch the celestial event live from the comfort of your own home.
Split image showing the comet C/2022 E3 and a stock illustration of the planet Mars. The image of the comet was captured on January 29, 2023 by astronomer Gianluca Masi with the Virtual Telescope Project.Comets are astronomical objects made up of frozen gases, dust and rock that orbit the sun. Sometimes referred to as"cosmic snowballs," these objects are blasted with increasing amounts of radiation as they approach our star, releasing gases and debris.