Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) (Michael J. Mangieri)

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was discovered by astronomers using the wide-field survey camera at the Zwicky Transient Facility, hence the ZTF after the name) back in early March. It has since grown in brightness substantially and can now be seen (with optical aid) in the constellation of Corona Borealis in predawn skies. This image was taken basically as a test to see what I could capture as I plan for it's expected grand appearance in February when it should get quite bright. You can see the comet's brighter greenish coma, the short broad dust tail, and even some evidence of the long faint ion tail to the lower right. 2022 E3 has already reached perihelion, its closest to the Sun, on January 12 and will arrive at perigee, its closest to our fair planet, on February 1.

As I said, the image was a test. I did not use my usual software (APPC with Horizons) to locate and track the comet, but just used Stellarium to provide the coordinates and slew to that location when the time came (3:45 AM EST). I was in bed, sleeping, while all this happened, and as you can see the object was not centered in the field. Earlier that night I imaged another comet, C/2020 V2, which was located in the northern sky about 15 degrees west of the North Star, Polaris.

With the scope set to start imaging at 03:45 and continue to about 06:00, I was planning for sixty 2 minute subs, but clouds interfered throughout the session only allowing 24 subs to be captured, and even those were marginal due to some high level cirrus clouds.

I'm planning to image this C/2022 E3 throughout the rest of this month, and next, whenever the sky conditions permit, and hopefully be able to collect a lot more integration time with clearer, more transparent skies.

Will C/2022 E3 reach naked-eye visibility? Well, I guess we'll have to wait and see. Comets are very fickle.

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Status	Basic success
Started	...
Astrometry.net job	6934196
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