C/2022 E3 (ZTF)

Capture

Sony a7iii 105mm f/4, 3sec ISO 3200 stacked, 10 Feb 2023

Date

10 February 2023

Location

Camden, NSW

Original

1413 × 2702 px

C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was a long-period green comet that made its closest approach to Earth (0.28 AU) on February 1, 2023. It was last in the inner solar system 50,000 years ago. Its distinct green color was caused by a reaction of diatomic carbon molecules, often described as a green fuzzy coma.

See it in the comets gallery