Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is a long period comet that was discovered by the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) on March 2 March 2022. It made its close approach to the Sun during January 2023, becoming quite bright and an easy observation target. This comet has a near-parabolic orbit with a perihelion distance of 1.11 astronomical units and an aphelion distance estimated to be about 2800 AU. After the perihelion passage the comet is now becoming fainter as it is moving away from the sun towards the external solar system.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is currently in the constellation of Horologium, at a distance of 939,490,364 kilometers from Earth.
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The observed values of Magnitude, Coma Diameter and Tail Length are derived from the most recent observation recorded at the Comet Observers Database. The value of Predicted Magnitude comes from the JPL Horizons ephemerides service and, in the case of comets, might be inaccurate given the highly dynamic and unpredictable behavior of these objects. When available, please refer to the Observed Magnitude value and consider the Predicted Magnitude as a directional indication. We acknowledge with thanks the comet observations from the COBS Comet Observation Database contributed by observers worldwide and used in this table to report recent comet observations.
Today's rise, transit and set times of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) from Greenwich, United Kingdom (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):
Today Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is not visible from Greenwich, United Kingdom
- C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is below the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom.
- Given its current magnitude, C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is visible only through long exposure photography.
- Go to interactive sky chart
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Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) Position and Finder Charts
Field of view: 10x6 degrees
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Higher precision deep sky finder chart, 60 arcmin wide, showing where Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is right now. Click on the image to see a more detailed fullscreen tracker view.
Also check out Where is Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)?, a page that provides all the information needed to find Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in the sky and additional links to sky charts.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) Distance from Earth
The distance of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) from Earth is currently 939,490,364 kilometers, equivalent to 6.280105 Astronomical Units. Light takes 52 minutes and 13.8025 seconds to travel from Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) and arrive to us.
The following chart shows the distance of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) from Earth as a function of time. In the chart the distance data is measured in Astronomical Units and sampled with an interval of 1 day.
The value of the reported distance might be somewhat inaccurate around the times of closest approach for objects passing extremely close to Earth. The value of the distance of C/2022 E3 (ZTF) from Earth is also available as a real time updated value in the Live Position and Data Tracker.
Closest Approach of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) to Earth
Between 1 January 2013 and 30 December 2100, the closest approach of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) to Earth happens on Thu Feb 2 2023 at a distance of 0.284031 Astronomical Units, or 42,490,414 kilometers:
NOTE: values for the closest approach are computed with a sampling interval of 1 day.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) Brightness and Light Curve
The following chart is the predicted light curve (visual magnitude as a function of time) of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), according to the most recent ephemerides data. Magnitude data is sampled with a 2 days interval and there might be inaccuracies for objects changing brightness very rapidly during the course of a few days. For comets there could be large discrepancies between the observed and predicted brightness because of their highly dynamic behaviour.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) Orbital Elements
The following table lists the orbital elements of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) at epoch 13 August 2022 00:00 UTC (JD: 2459805.5). Source: JPL Small-Body Database
| Element | Symbol | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Orbit eccentricity | e | 1.00027078 |
| Orbit inclination | i | 109.16842490° |
| Perihelion distance | q | 1.11222349 AU 166,386,266 km |
| Aphelion distance | Q | n.a. |
| Semi-major axis | a | n.a. |
| Orbital period | period | n.a. |
| Date of perihelion transit | Tp | 2023-Jan-12 18:51:43 2,459,957.2859 JD |
| Argument of perihelion | peri | 145.81586419901° |
| Longitude of the ascending node | node | 302.55373400062° |
| Mean anomaly | M | -0.00056827755196226° |
| Mean motion | n | 0.00000374°/day |
Visualization of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) Orbit
This 3d orbit diagram is a feature of our 3D Solar System Simulator and shows the orbit of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) with respect of the Sun and the orbits of the major planets. The position of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) and the planets along their orbits in this diagram accurately represents the current configuration of the objects in the Solar System. This is an experimental feature and it requires a WebGL enabled browser. Please provide us feedback!
View Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in the 3D Solar System Simulator
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) 15 Days Ephemeris
The following table lists the ephemerides of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) computed for the past and next 7 days, with a 24 hours interval. Click on each row of the table to locate Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in our Online Planetarium at the chosen date.
| Date | Right AscensionR.A. | DeclinationDec. | MagnitudeMag | Constellation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 May 10 | 03h 38m 17s | -46° 08’ 25” | 17.83 | Horologium |
| 2024 May 11 | 03h 38m 57s | -46° 08’ 13” | 17.84 | Horologium |
| 2024 May 12 | 03h 39m 38s | -46° 08’ 11” | 17.84 | Horologium |
| 2024 May 13 | 03h 40m 18s | -46° 08’ 16” | 17.85 | Horologium |
| 2024 May 14 | 03h 40m 59s | -46° 08’ 27” | 17.85 | Horologium |
| 2024 May 15 | 03h 41m 39s | -46° 08’ 48” | 17.86 | Horologium |
| 2024 May 16 | 03h 42m 20s | -46° 09’ 15” | 17.86 | Horologium |
| 2024 May 17 | 03h 43m 00s | -46° 09’ 51” | 17.87 | Horologium |
| 2024 May 18 | 03h 43m 41s | -46° 10’ 33” | 17.87 | Horologium |
| 2024 May 19 | 03h 44m 21s | -46° 11’ 25” | 17.88 | Horologium |
| 2024 May 20 | 03h 45m 02s | -46° 12’ 23” | 17.88 | Horologium |
| 2024 May 21 | 03h 45m 42s | -46° 13’ 28” | 17.89 | Horologium |
| 2024 May 22 | 03h 46m 23s | -46° 14’ 41” | 17.89 | Horologium |
| 2024 May 23 | 03h 47m 03s | -46° 16’ 02” | 17.90 | Horologium |