The comet, C/2022 E3 (ZTF), right now, is whizzing through our inner solar system. It will be closest to the sun on Jan. 12 and will then sling shot past Earth!  It will be closest to our planet, its perigee, between Feb. 1 and Feb. 2.

If the comet continues on its path and brighten as it currently is, the comet could be visible at night with the naked eye. It’s difficult to predict for comets, but even if C/2022 E3 (ZTF) does fade it should still be visible with binoculars or a telescope for a number of days around its close approach.

What’s so special about this comet, a great, great, a great, great, a great, great, a great, great, a great, great, a great, great, ancestor could have seen this comet! The Neanderthals and early humans wouldn’t have known what C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was, and the comet was identified much more recently than the last ice age.

(Video embed provided by nemesis maturity)