At the start of 2023, Earth will be visited by a newly discovered comet that may just be close enough to be seen by the naked eye. This phenomenon has not happened in 10, 000 years.
The comet named C/2023 E3 (ZTF) is currently passing through the inner solar system.
It will make its closest approach to the sun, or perihelion, on January 12th, and then will whip past the Earth making its closest passage of our planet, its pedigree, between February 1st and February 2nd.
If the comet continues to brighten as it currently is, it could be visible in dark skies with the naked eye.
This is difficult to predict for comets, but even if C/2022 E3 (ZTF) does not fade, it should still be visible with binoculars or a telescope for a number of days around its close approach.
(Via Space)
